FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[hazzben]

Congrats to NCC. First half was a really fun back and forth battle. Your run game clearly got the better of us in the second half and set the tone. NCC Oline was really impressive, the ability to sustain blocks was absolutely elite. Coupled with McNeal's patience, knowing he could wait, find where the crease was going to open, and then hit it with a full head of steam. He's also a load for anyone to bring down one on one.

Your kicker is also an absolute weapon in the post-season. Our kicker has been very accurate, but anything outside of 42 and it's probably a no go. That lack of leg strength, combined with a rock hard ball, really limited our kicking game. Meanwhile NCC's kicker just kept crushing it. In good weather he probably makes that first one, but he was really effective.

It was a great opportunity to go toe to toe with the cream of D3 over the last 6-7 years. Those measuring sticks are helpful for a program. You were the better, deeper team this year. The championship pedigree and experience was also visible in the second half. I'm encouraged by how young this Bethel team is.

[hazzben]

NCC vs JCU ...

I just have a hard time imagining them keeping pace with you guys. The fact things are warming up only benefits NCC. Throwing the ball was tough in that kind of cold Saturday. JCU D is legit, but Mount isn't as physical up front as NCC.

There's also a familiarity factor in "conference rivalry games" that tends to keep scores tighter. I know JCU isn't in the OAC anymore, but they're as familiar with Mount as any playoff opponent could possibly be. My money is on the NCC ground game, your D, and your D scheme.

These matchups are hard to project with so few crossover opponents. That said, I could see this being one of those semi-final blowouts. JCU's D will have to keep the scoring down like they did against Mount for a close game.

I'm hoping for a UWRF v NCC Stagg Bowl. That's got all the makings of a classic matchup, with great storylines. Best of luck on Saturday.

[NCC2010]

Congrats to NCC. First half was a really fun back and forth battle. Your run game clearly got the better of us in the second half and set the tone. NCC Oline was really impressive, the ability to sustain blocks was absolutely elite. Coupled with McNeal's patience, knowing he could wait, find where the crease was going to open, and then hit it with a full head of steam. He's also a load for anyone to bring down one on one.

Your kicker is also an absolute weapon in the post-season. Our kicker has been very accurate, but anything outside of 42 and it's probably a no go. That lack of leg strength, combined with a rock hard ball, really limited our kicking game. Meanwhile NCC's kicker just kept crushing it. In good weather he probably makes that first one, but he was really effective.

It was a great opportunity to go toe to toe with the cream of D3 over the last 6-7 years. Those measuring sticks are helpful for a program. You were the better, deeper team this year. The championship pedigree and experience was also visible in the second half. I'm encouraged by how young this Bethel team is.

I was wondering about the Bethel kicking situation when the coach went for it on the 4th and 6 play the refs ended up completely botching. It would have been a 31-yard FG attempt, and the score would have been 14-10 at the half with Bethel getting the ball to start the second half. I just assumed they didn't trust their kicker. I understand being aggressive when playing a team like NCC, but converting a 4th and 6 against this defense has to be a pretty low-percentage play.

I thought one of the biggest plays of the game was the Bethel kick returner dropping the second-half kickoff, which led to them starting at their own 10. Four plays later, the punt only went 28 yards, and that left NCC with a short field they capitalized on shortly after.

Bethel was a great team and seemingly has most of their key guys back next season—they should be a force to be reckoned with again.

[USee]

I listened to Podcast #400 (Congrats Pat!). Coach Walker at UWRF is a class act. I like him a lot. I also liked his post game presser Saturday where he told his guys they weren't allowed to go sleevless because it was stupid.

He assessed the Wheaton/UWRF game pretty accurately in stating RF was 5-5 in the redzone and Wheaton was 2-5 and that was the story of the game. I couldn't agree more. Wheaton couldn't finish drives and UWRF scored every time they got down there. A lot of that had to do with RF's making some great stops. The 4th and 1 tackle that Gage Timms makes on Crider was as good a play as I have seen. Very tough to make that tackle from a MLB position. UWRF took that and scored which was the biggest turning point in the game for me.

River Falls is going to be a very tough out and while I want to see a Stagg vs NCC, I am looking forward to the two games this weekend as all four teams have a solid profile that will challenge their opponents.

[GusD]

NCC vs JCU ...

I just have a hard time imagining them keeping pace with you guys. The fact things are warming up only benefits NCC. Throwing the ball was tough in that kind of cold Saturday. JCU D is legit, but Mount isn't as physical up front as NCC.

There's also a familiarity factor in "conference rivalry games" that tends to keep scores tighter. I know JCU isn't in the OAC anymore, but they're as familiar with Mount as any playoff opponent could possibly be. My money is on the NCC ground game, your D, and your D scheme.

These matchups are hard to project with so few crossover opponents. That said, I could see this being one of those semi-final blowouts. JCU's D will have to keep the scoring down like they did against Mount for a close game.

I'm hoping for a UWRF v NCC Stagg Bowl. That's got all the makings of a classic matchup, with great storylines. Best of luck on Saturday.

With regard to NCC's ground game, it should be noted that the Cardinals 2nd team RB Sean Allen who averages 5.3 ypc and has 8 TDs, and who was the starter at the beginning of the season, didn't even play. Strongly supporting Donovan McNeal's 144 yards and 3 TDS was Jordan Williams who racked up 90 yards and a TD. If NC would have been at full strength. Williams would have likely been the #3 RB. Gives you an idea as to NCC's depth of talent, having a guy like Jordan able to add such a sizable contribution.

[CarollFan]

NCC vs JCU ...

I just have a hard time imagining them keeping pace with you guys. The fact things are warming up only benefits NCC. Throwing the ball was tough in that kind of cold Saturday. JCU D is legit, but Mount isn't as physical up front as NCC.

There's also a familiarity factor in "conference rivalry games" that tends to keep scores tighter. I know JCU isn't in the OAC anymore, but they're as familiar with Mount as any playoff opponent could possibly be. My money is on the NCC ground game, your D, and your D scheme.

These matchups are hard to project with so few crossover opponents. That said, I could see this being one of those semi-final blowouts. JCU's D will have to keep the scoring down like they did against Mount for a close game.

I'm hoping for a UWRF v NCC Stagg Bowl. That's got all the makings of a classic matchup, with great storylines. Best of luck on Saturday.

With regard to NCC's ground game, it should be noted that the Cardinals 2nd team RB Sean Allen who averages 5.3 ypc and has 8 TDs, and who was the starter at the beginning of the season, didn't even play. Strongly supporting Donovan McNeal's 144 yards and 3 TDS was Jordan Williams who racked up 90 yards and a TD. If NC would have been at full strength. Williams would have likely been the #3 RB. Gives you an idea as to NCC's depth of talent, having a guy like Jordan able to add such a sizable contribution.

Let's not forget the OL. I seem to recall some questions early in the season. They seem to be performing well.