FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

sfury · December 07, 2025, 05:29:42 PM

Since this is more fun than talking about yesterday's game (for us Johnnies anyway), here's the play in question.

https://youtu.be/8tj7WXsU54s?si=5PYmRz6sVumnLJB-&t=6858

Does seem like right call (dual possession so goes to offense) though obviously rose-colored glasses help me make that call! There were still a couple minutes left so game wouldn't have been done done if it went Bethel's way but obviously would have put them in great position, as Johnnies were trailing 26-22 at the time and scored shortly after this to take lead for good (as mentioned Kirchoff injury obviously huge late too).

Retired Old Rat · December 07, 2025, 06:31:25 PM

Kind of weird that this discussion is taking place on the WIAC board, whatever.

My favorite part of that clip is Linnemann's "Eliott Roulette" line. How true.

As an aside no one on this board may care about, Blake Elliot is being inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class | College Football Hall of Fame

Montee Ball is also being inducted.

hazzben · December 07, 2025, 09:07:31 PM

Quote from: sfury on December 07, 2025, 05:29:42 PMSince this is more fun than talking about yesterday's game (for us Johnnies anyway), here's the play in question.

https://youtu.be/8tj7WXsU54s?si=5PYmRz6sVumnLJB-&t=6858

Does seem like right call (dual possession so goes to offense) though obviously rose-colored glasses help me make that call! There were still a couple minutes left so game wouldn't have been done done if it went Bethel's way but obviously would have put them in great position, as Johnnies were trailing 26-22 at the time and scored shortly after this to take lead for good (as mentioned Kirchoff injury obviously huge late too).

I had a pretty good view on the field from about 15 yds away and agree with the SJU color guy that Sather had it first. He caught the ball, Elliot jumped in and got his hands around it too. It was a savvy play by Blake, and when no one made an immediate call there was no way that it was going any way but dual possession give it happened right on the SJU sideline.

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on December 07, 2025, 06:31:25 PMBlake Elliot is being inducted to the College Football Hall of Fame on Tuesday. 2025 College Football Hall of Fame Class | College Football Hall of Fame

My dad's college coach Larry "Bub" Korver is being inducted as well. His Northwestern College teams had some great playoff games against SJU, UST, and LaCrosse in the 80's in the NAIA playoffs. Fun to have a few connections to the class.

robertgoulet · December 07, 2025, 09:40:13 PM

Quote from: hazzben on December 07, 2025, 09:52:02 AMWe need to see what the post-blaha era brings. But I said to my brother yesterday, UWRF feels a little like 2003 SJU. A very good team, with a transcendent player, and a feeling of almost inevitability. That Mount team was also regarded like this NCC team. Supposedly the best ever and unbeatable.

Not sure who is saying NCC is the best ever and unbeatable...certainly not coming from NCC fans. Most of us realize that the team took a pretty sizable step back after last season, especially on offense.

hazzben · December 07, 2025, 11:55:13 PM

Quote from: robertgoulet on December 07, 2025, 09:40:13 PM
Quote from: hazzben on December 07, 2025, 09:52:02 AMWe need to see what the post-blaha era brings. But I said to my brother yesterday, UWRF feels a little like 2003 SJU. A very good team, with a transcendent player, and a feeling of almost inevitability. That Mount team was also regarded like this NCC team. Supposedly the best ever and unbeatable.

Not sure who is saying NCC is the best ever and unbeatable...certainly not coming from NCC fans. Most of us realize that the team took a pretty sizable step back after last season, especially on offense.

I wasn't clear, I was meaning to say "best ever Mount team." That said ...

Logan's metric's earlier this year had NCC as the 5th highest since 1997, but all 4 above them achieved their peak in the post-season. Higher than peak 2022 NCC in Rd 4 and peak 2024 NCC in week 7. Even more interesting now that I'm looking back at the list, they are just ahead of 2003 Mount Union Rd 4.

Logan's regular season only list has 2025 NCC with the highest ever regular season rating.

USee · **Yesterday** at 12:45:28 PM

Quote from: robertgoulet on December 07, 2025, 09:40:13 PM
Quote from: hazzben on December 07, 2025, 09:52:02 AMWe need to see what the post-blaha era brings. But I said to my brother yesterday, UWRF feels a little like 2003 SJU. A very good team, with a transcendent player, and a feeling of almost inevitability. That Mount team was also regarded like this NCC team. Supposedly the best ever and unbeatable.

Not sure who is saying NCC is the best ever and unbeatable...certainly not coming from NCC fans. Most of us realize that the team took a pretty sizable step back after last season, especially on offense.

you're not sure because no one is saying it. They have gone to the last 5 Stagg Bowls so I think it's ok if people say they are the front runner.

And I would disagree about the "step back" and certainly quantifying it with "sizable". They are undefeated, convincingly beat Oshkosh (who beat UWRF) and Wheaton (who has 3 playoff wins). NCC's defense took a sizeable step UP on defense. Their defense is the best of almost any of their Stagg teams IMO. Their offensive line is not as good but still among the very best in the nation, in part because the OL of the last couple years was generationally good. And oh yea, the QB was decent too. But NCC is every bit as good as last year overall in my view, just different good.

emma17 · **Yesterday** at 01:16:02 PM

Even though this WIAC board is now hosting MIAC and CCIW discussions, I'm glad to have an active board.

Blake Elliott. I can't see clearly enough on the video to change the ruling on the field. I wish I was paying greater attention to D3 at the time he played- seems like he could change a game whenever needed.

NCC- I defer to USee as to how good they are this year. From what I've seen, the offense is less "scary good" in terms of playmakers. As for NCC overall, imo there are four all time great D3 programs from a Stagg perspective:
Mt
UWW
Augie
NCC

UMHB is on the bubble. I believe UWL was mostly NAIA w their appearances.

turkpbr18 · **Today** at 12:05:56 AM

Quote from: emma17 on Yesterday at 01:16:02 PMEven though this WIAC board is now hosting MIAC and CCIW discussions, I'm glad to have an active board.

Blake Elliott. I can't see clearly enough on the video to change the ruling on the field. I wish I was paying greater attention to D3 at the time he played- seems like he could change a game whenever needed.

NCC- I defer to USee as to how good they are this year. From what I've seen, the offense is less "scary good" in terms of playmakers. As for NCC overall, imo there are four all time great D3 programs from a Stagg perspective:
Mt
UWW
Augie
NCC

UMHB is on the bubble. I believe UWL was mostly NAIA w their appearances.

UW-L was NAIA in '85, '88, and '89. Stagg in '92 and '95 and at the time, the last team to defeat Mount before their first 3-peat.

bleedpurple · **Today** at 08:20:08 AM

Interesting discussions for sure.

Since we are kind of opening this up to "all things football" on this board for now, I'm going a bit further off the rails.

I know we have some Bears fans among our brethren. Since you won't see many fans of either team acknowledge that the other has any redeemable value, for whatever reason, I'm prompted to break the trend: The Bears are good. They aren't just a future threat. They are good right now. Excellent coaching, excellent running game, a defense that turns teams over and a dynamic quarterback that is getting better.

Fred Falcon please reel us back in. I clearly need guardrails!

robertgoulet · **Today** at 09:26:06 AM

Quote from: bleedpurple on Today at 08:20:08 AMInteresting discussions for sure.

Since we are kind of opening this up to "all things football" on this board for now, I'm going a bit further off the rails.

I know we have some Bears fans among our brethren. Since you won't see many fans of either team acknowledge that the other has any redeemable value, for whatever reason, I'm prompted to break the trend: The Bears are good. They aren't just a future threat. They are good right now. Excellent coaching, excellent running game, a defense that turns teams over and a dynamic quarterback that is getting better.

Fred Falcon please reel us back in. I clearly need guardrails!

I felt better about them after the game Sunday than I did going into the game, which is a weird thing to say considering it was a loss. Need to get some semblance of health on D and for the O-line to stay healthy and we can make some noise.

emma17 · **Today** at 12:00:02 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on Today at 08:20:08 AMInteresting discussions for sure.

Since we are kind of opening this up to "all things football" on this board for now, I'm going a bit further off the rails.

I know we have some Bears fans among our brethren. Since you won't see many fans of either team acknowledge that the other has any redeemable value, for whatever reason, I'm prompted to break the trend: The Bears are good. They aren't just a future threat. They are good right now. Excellent coaching, excellent running game, a defense that turns teams over and a dynamic quarterback that is getting better.

Fred Falcon please reel us back in. I clearly need guardrails!

Excellent secondary topic.
Thanks for the acknowledgment of the Bears' improvement. GB played terrific and Love made some great throws to beat the blitz/man coverage. I felt the return of J Johnson to the Bears' secondary was detrimental- he looked unwilling to make contact and somewhat lost.
Loved the commitment by both teams to run the ball (w a running back). Only 4 carries in first quarter by Bears, then they made the commitment. Hard hitting on both sides- seemed like a great atmosphere.

Go Falcons.

bleedpurple · **Today** at 01:27:21 PM

Quote from: emma17 on Today at 12:00:02 PM
Quote from: bleedpurple on Today at 08:20:08 AMInteresting discussions for sure.

Since we are kind of opening this up to "all things football" on this board for now, I'm going a bit further off the rails.

I know we have some Bears fans among our brethren. Since you won't see many fans of either team acknowledge that the other has any redeemable value, for whatever reason, I'm prompted to break the trend: The Bears are good. They aren't just a future threat. They are good right now. Excellent coaching, excellent running game, a defense that turns teams over and a dynamic quarterback that is getting better.

Fred Falcon please reel us back in. I clearly need guardrails!

Excellent secondary topic.
Thanks for the acknowledgment of the Bears' improvement. GB played terrific and Love made some great throws to beat the blitz/man coverage. I felt the return of J Johnson to the Bears' secondary was detrimental- he looked unwilling to make contact and somewhat lost.
Loved the commitment by both teams to run the ball (w a running back). Only 4 carries in first quarter by Bears, then they made the commitment. Hard hitting on both sides- seemed like a great atmosphere.

Go Falcons.

Agreed. It was a great game. Both teams played well. The Packers/Bears rivalry may have huge NFC relevance for years to come!

RobertGoulet: I don't think anyone would want to play them in the playoffs. Not saying they'd be the favorite. But, at this point, I think every possible playoff game they'd be involved in, there would be a world in which they could win it.