FB: American Rivers Conference

[Schipper Strong]

Why are the Rams on an upswing of that magnitude? Are the trains shaking the field on pass plays?  I can't see what would cause that kind of swing.

I think you're aware, but just so we're all on the same page, it was a joke.

Yeah, I fell for that. Blame it on old age! I am officially a senior citizen now and I claim all the rights of stupidity that come with aging. 😂

[Schipper Strong]

Well Central got the win today, but didn't cover the spread. They let a kick return go nearly untouched for a 90 yard TD. Mcmartin said the special teams was the most untested, but sheesh. I see my fellow Dutchmen from Hope put a licking on Loras. I thought they might, but not by 62 points or whatever it was. Central looked strong the first half with the exception of that kick return. The second half we left a lot to be desired until the game was almost in jeopardy. Then we kicked it up a notch. We probably could have gotten another TD at the end that would have covered the spread, but adding points when the game is won isn't the way we go. Character still counts some places.

Coe put another womping on Cornell. I know they have this long history, but what a waste of a game in a short season. You would think with Coe rising to playoff contention they would want to make the most of all 10 games. UD played a solid game against the WIAC. Any win, or in this case close game against the WIAC is respectable. Coach Maiuri most have hit the recruiting trail hard. They have more freshmen than they used to have on the whole team.

Speaking of making good use of every game, Central will finally have a true challenge next week. Hopefully we come ready to play a full 60 minutes against Randolph Macon. Hunter Hoffman is back to starting QB. I am not sure much has changed since last year when I was calling for Brady Ketchum to start. He is gone now, but I hope our backup transitions to the college game quickly. I've seen him play and he has potential.

[Schipper Strong]

I have to admit I had to watch the Central game from home with a ton of interruptions. I am remodeling my kitchen and had the noise of cabinets being installed and an extra 7 people in my house visiting with me. I watched part of the Simpson game and most of the Wartburg game. I put some food in my new cabinets then settled in to rewatch the Central game in peace and quiet. I was much better able to catch what was happening without the noise.

First I owe an apology to Hunter Hoffman. He played better than I gave him credit for against an opponent that made far better adjustments than we did as the game played out. Plus Illinois Wesleyan gained a lot of momentum and belief in themselves with that kickoff return. We were never behind and dispite them closing the gap on us we were not truly threatened with losing the lead. It was a first game against a team with a new head coach and mostly new assistant coaches. We had no game film to really know what they would throw at us. When I quit being frustrated with the interruptions and constant noise my perspective changed. While I may have lost my composure, Central did not. Hoffman made plays out of situations that should have resulted in a loss of yardage. Well done Dutch! You will still need to step it up for next week, but well done. A road win not knowing what to expect from your opponent for the first game is awesome. Illinois Wesleyan has better coaching this year. They may finish middle of their conference, but they were much improved over last year and I didn't give them due credit for that either. My apologies. Getting old may be better than the alternative, but it isn't for the weak.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Duhawks looked awful against a good but not earth shattering Hope team. Did not see a lot of improvement out of the Duhawks this year compared to last, which is certainly concerning...

Duhawks got two "impact" transfers on offense this year, yet neither were used all that much. WR Sai McWilliams, a 6'5  lanky arm kid was thrown a jump ball on the first drive, which he properly went up and over a CB for a 20-yard gain. And then I'm not sure if he had another target for the rest of the half. And then Charlie Simpson, a 6'1 230 lbs RB, was given one handoff, which he promptly fumbled.

Pretty lackluster and frankly disheartening start to the season. I know the coaching staff had hoped two-time all-conference QB Evan England would be back this season following an injury last year, but he was not cleared to play due to an injury less than a month prior to fall camp starting. Tough situation, but I sure hope the season long plan is not to run the ball 23 times for 46 yards the whole season.

In the words of my grandfather "Uff da..."

[HansenRatings]

Duhawks looked awful against a good but not earth shattering Hope team. Did not see a lot of improvement out of the Duhawks this year compared to last, which is certainly concerning...

It was a pretty rough day for the bottom 4 teams in the conference. By opponent-adjusted scoring margin, Luther had the 5th worst game in the nation, BVU had the 14th worst, Loras 27th worst, NWU the 39th worst. Simpson and Dubuque were more competitive that I expected them to be, though.

I don't really understand how Loras fell off the cliff so hard last year (and apparently continuing into this one). England was good, but the defense fell off worse than the offense did, and they were consistently above average for a few years. The coaches didn't suddenly forget how to coach in a single offseason.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

I don't really understand how Loras fell off the cliff so hard last year (and apparently continuing into this one). England was good, but the defense fell off worse than the offense did, and they were consistently above average for a few years. The coaches didn't suddenly forget how to coach in a single offseason.

I'm not sure the staff was ready for the portal era... Lost a lot of players to the portal in the first two years of it being around. That, some untimely injuries, and not being able to backfill through the portal (they seem to have learned from this mistake as they went into it this year) has sent the team into a bit of a spiral. I think the biggest gap is seen on the DL/OL. The DL does not have a single snap taker over 255 lbs. That makes things an uphill battle from the start. The OL seems to have decent size but are slow. Call it misses on recruiting or poor form, it doesn't really matter. If you cannot consistently control the line of scrimmage on either side of the ball, you cannot win football games.

As for the offense, I can tell you there were audible groans in the stands as the team led off what felt like its 5th consecutive drive with some sort of zone run that was not a net gain. The offense late last year had many more motions and trades pre-snap to set up QBs who did not have as much talent as England for success. After seeing that and hearing about England not being on the roster, most assumed that that was the offense we would be seeing on Saturday, but it felt like the offense then reverted to what it was when England was under center. Hopefully, they are able to find their groove and stop with the idea of being "balanced" that so many coaches fall into too often. The best balance a team can have is whatever types of plays lead to gaining yards.

[hazzben]

Genuine question, is the portal a major challenge for ARC schools? From the MIAC it seems like largely a net positive. SJU and Bethel both lost a standout player to higher divisions, but very little movement across division. And if anything, there's a trickle down of FCS and D2 guys coming in. Feels like the first I've heard of a D3 program having large scale portal losses, but maybe I'm naive to that.

[HansenRatings]

The DL does not have a single snap taker over 255 lbs.

Wartburg's starting DL in their two semifinals:

5'-11"/249 (All-American)
5'-11"/238 (All-American)
6'-1"/240
5'-11"/240
6'-1"/225
6'-3"/220

I played DT at ~235 lb and was the heaviest D-linemen on a 10-0 squad. Wartburg's current DC was an All-American DE at 220 lb. You definitely don't need size on the DL to dominate in DIII.

Genuine question, is the portal a major challenge for ARC schools?

It hasn't been a problem for Wartburg. I can't think of any contributors the last few years who have left. Can't think of any All-Conference type of players who have left Central/Coe, either. The guys who have come in were the same sorts of transfers DIIIs have always gotten.

[doolittledog]

The DL does not have a single snap taker over 255 lbs.

Wartburg's starting DL in their two semifinals:

5'-11"/249 (All-American)
5'-11"/238 (All-American)
6'-1"/240
5'-11"/240
6'-1"/225
6'-3"/220

I played DT at ~235 lb and was the heaviest D-linemen on a 10-0 squad. Wartburg's current DC was an All-American DE at 220 lb. You definitely don't need size on the DL to dominate in DIII.

Genuine question, is the portal a major challenge for ARC schools?

It hasn't been a problem for Wartburg. I can't think of any contributors the last few years who have left. Can't think of any All-Conference type of players who have left Central/Coe, either. The guys who have come in were the same sorts of transfers DIIIs have always gotten.

Are we talking actual height and weight or listed height and weight?  We had former BV player a few years ago note he was listed at 240 on the D-line when he was actually 225.  That way opposing teams wouldn't run at the small guy all game to wear him down by the 4th quarter. 

[HansenRatings]

Are we talking actual height and weight or listed height and weight?

That was listed weight. And I guaranteed you some of those guys had rolls of quarters in their pockets when they weighed in, and then got a little extra added on top of that.

And Jordan Downing was listed at 5'-11". I don't think that was very accurate. I'm 6'-0" first thing in the morning, but once gravity does its thing, I lose a half inch, and I'm two inches taller than that dude.

[DriftlessDuhawk]

I totally agree you do not NEED size on the DL to win in D3, but it certainly helps. I think drive and technique can certainly overcome the lack of size, but mass often times can be a great equalizer.

As to the questions about the portal. I have no doubt that SJU/Bethel/Wartburg/Central/Coe are not losing their best players on a regular basis. This is something that is a testament to the culture and the great programs they have established. It is much harder to keep your best players around on a team that won 2 games the previous year. I know that Loras has lost starters at WR/RB/DL/CB in the last two year alone. It has often been the case that the players have been from out of state and wanted to play closer to home, but also find a better situation for themselves. I have no doubt that if the Duhawks were consistent winners of 7-9 games a year the number of kids who were "homesick" would go down.

At the end of the day, it's up to every staff to build a culture where quality football players will commit to four years of getting better and stick it out. Times are a-changing and when you find yourself under 500 it's almost more important to be re-recruiting your own roster than focusing just on freshmen IMO.

[Schipper Strong]

Hopefully, they are able to find their groove and stop with the idea of being "balanced" that so many coaches fall into too often. The best balance a team can have is whatever types of plays lead to gaining yards.

I am there with you on this one Duhawk. I hate the idea of trying to get a balanced offense. I get the reasoning, but when you are playing a team that is notorious for stopping the run and you are better at passing anyway, I just don't get it.

The older I get the crankier I get. I can tie myself in knots on this one. Somehow never having even played flag football I also mysteriously start thinking I know more than coaches I absolutely greatly respect too. I used to think my dad was bad, now I see it in me. Ack!

[HansenRatings]

when you are playing a team that is notorious for stopping the run and you are better at passing anyway, I just don't get it.

I love it when opponents try to "establish the run" against Wartburg. It never works. It's a terrible strategy. If a team is built for it, the Simpson game plan from last year (they threw the ball 66 times) is going to probably be your best bet. Central always seems to go into the Wartburg game with the plan to stay balanced, it doesn't work, and then by the 4th quarter they don't call a single designed run play. Coe does the same thing, and they're just stubborn enough to stick with the run game.

[Schipper Strong]

when you are playing a team that is notorious for stopping the run and you are better at passing anyway, I just don't get it.

I love it when opponents try to "establish the run" against Wartburg. It never works. It's a terrible strategy. If a team is built for it, the Simpson game plan from last year (they threw the ball 66 times) is going to probably be your best bet. Central always seems to go into the Wartburg game with the plan to stay balanced, it doesn't work, and then by the 4th quarter they don't call a single designed run play. Coe does the same thing, and they're just stubborn enough to stick with the run game.

Remember when I said up above that in my old age I start thinking I know more than coaches I very highly respect? Bingo!

[DriftlessDuhawk]

Remember when I said up above that in my old age I start thinking I know more than coaches I very highly respect? Bingo!

I do not have a ton of years on me, but I feel like my old man yelling about sports, as I just find myself yelling/muttering about the same few things over and over. The idea of "balance" is probably number one, though.