FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Pat Coleman]

See this is why I listen to the ATN podcast.

Today I learned if you fumble the lateral on the hook and ladder it's an incomplete pass. I would have never figured. RE: Alma vs. Hope

To be clear, apparently this is only in the MIAA.

[CarollFan]

https://cciw.org/news/2025/9/29/cciw-names-smyth-moore-ellison-football-student-athletes-of-week.aspx

[Gregory Sager]

See this is why I listen to the ATN podcast.

Today I learned if you fumble the lateral on the hook and ladder it's an incomplete pass. I would have never figured. RE: Alma vs. Hope


Also mentioned, NPU's Ben Butler getting game ball at 25:40 mark for the returned blocked kicks.

https://cciw.org/news/2025/9/29/cciw-names-smyth-moore-ellison-football-student-athletes-of-week.aspx

So, in other words, Butler's exploits were good enough for him to earn Pat's game ball for all of D3 football this week, but not good enough for him to get the CCIW's special teams POW award?

Look, the distances on the NCC kicker's two field goals were impressive. No doubt about it. But ... aw, heck, just listen to the ATN podcast at the 25:40 mark, as CarollFan said. And, BTW, Butler got Pat's game ball for more than just the two runbacks.

[Pat Coleman]

See this is why I listen to the ATN podcast.

Today I learned if you fumble the lateral on the hook and ladder it's an incomplete pass. I would have never figured. RE: Alma vs. Hope


Also mentioned, NPU's Ben Butler getting game ball at 25:40 mark for the returned blocked kicks.

https://cciw.org/news/2025/9/29/cciw-names-smyth-moore-ellison-football-student-athletes-of-week.aspx

So, in other words, Butler's exploits were good enough for him to earn Pat's game ball for all of D3 football this week, but not good enough for him to get the CCIW's special teams POW award?

Look, the distances on the NCC kicker's two field goals were impressive. No doubt about it. But ... aw, heck, just listen to the ATN podcast at the 25:40 mark, as CarollFan said. And, BTW, Butler got Pat's game ball for more than just the two runbacks.

We solved that dilemma by putting both of them on our Team of the Week.

https://d3football.com/awards/tow/2025/week4

[BIGBLUE BEN]

Millikin 6 Augustana 33

Millikin came out very flat and never recovered. Hats off to Auggys D, they shut down the run (65yds on 34 carries) and forced Millikin in 3rd and longs all day. This allowed Auggy to peal their ears back and rush the QB every third down and Millikin O-line (5 freshman) could not handle the pressure (gave up 6 sacks). Big Blue offense needs the running game in order to unlock everything else in their arsenal and Auggy stacked the box and played downhill all day.

Defensively, it was not horrible as they held Auggy to 2/8 on third downs and only 320 total yards. Auggy only had 1 penalty for 5 yards all game.... (should have been more like 4-5 but none of them would have really affected the outcome).

Millikin special teams was atrocious. Another PAT was blocked, after forcing 3 and out on first possession they muff the punt and give Auggy 1st and 10 in redzone, and another punt was blocked and led to another TD... Could argue they gave up 15 points on Special teams alone. Auggy was the better team, but this game should have been closer if Millikin executed better. Missed 2-3 deep balls on overthrows that were touchdowns if thrown 2 yards shorter. Change 4-5 plays in this game and it's a one possession game.

Overall, it was disappointing performance but hoping they can rebound next week against a Carrol team that has athletes at the skill possessions but less size and physicality than Auggy. Should be a close one but Millikin should be underdogs again Saturday just based on the way Carroll moved the ball against Wash U. They may be 0-3 but they are very talented, and their HC is an offensive wizard.

[CarollFan]

Overall, it was disappointing performance but hoping they can rebound next week against a Carrol team that has athletes at the skill possessions but less size and physicality than Auggy. Should be a close one but Millikin should be underdogs again Saturday just based on the way Carroll moved the ball against Wash U. They may be 0-3 but they are very talented, and their HC is an offensive wizard.

It's always a little tougher on the road for these "not top 3" teams.
I'm interested to see how Carroll's sophomore QB performs after his first 2 starts against WashU and Wheaton. I'm sure they will lean on running game too.

I know one thing in talking to folks there, they are hungry for a win.

As a side note, what is going on with all the blocked kicks in all divisions of football including the NFL?

[Gregory Sager]

See this is why I listen to the ATN podcast.

Today I learned if you fumble the lateral on the hook and ladder it's an incomplete pass. I would have never figured. RE: Alma vs. Hope


Also mentioned, NPU's Ben Butler getting game ball at 25:40 mark for the returned blocked kicks.

https://cciw.org/news/2025/9/29/cciw-names-smyth-moore-ellison-football-student-athletes-of-week.aspx

So, in other words, Butler's exploits were good enough for him to earn Pat's game ball for all of D3 football this week, but not good enough for him to get the CCIW's special teams POW award?

Look, the distances on the NCC kicker's two field goals were impressive. No doubt about it. But ... aw, heck, just listen to the ATN podcast at the 25:40 mark, as CarollFan said. And, BTW, Butler got Pat's game ball for more than just the two runbacks.

We solved that dilemma by putting both of them on our Team of the Week.

https://d3football.com/awards/tow/2025/week4

I'm glad that Tyler also gave ATN a nod by mentioning the "game ball" in the NPU write-up for Butler and Amare Johnson being named to the D3football.com Team of the Week. If you're a D3 football fan who has any interest whatsoever in what's going on beyond the team you root for, the ATN podcast is a must-listen.

[GoIrish7]

First time back on the boards in 3 years! Long time reader, and upon hanging up the cleats at Elmhurst I found this site and made an account to keep me involved in my love for d3 football and the CCIW. I come with what I would consider a unique perspective on the game and league. Played in it for 4 years under Coach Lester, jumped into coaching as a full time profession for 5 years coaching at Loras for a year, Syracuse for 2 years and Maryland for 2 years before exiting full time status to start up a company called GoRout where I am now the COO (I saw some shout out's earlier this year / last year on our products which are wearable devices for players to make coach to player communication more efficient.) Shane Dierking at NCC is one of my best childhood friends, having coaching buddies and customers on other staffs and I joined Mike Murray the last 2 years to aid in the rebuild of Elmhurst serving as the OC for the 23/24 seasons.

As disappointed as I am in Elmhurst start to the season, it is not shocking. We as a staff thought that this next season we would have a chance to get into the .500 conversation after taking over a roster that won 3 games in 5 seasons and then winning 5 games in 2 years. Our first spring we had 30 players on the roster and could barley complete a spring ball. The program was in complete turmoil and the overhaul continues. The timing of Coach Murray's departure really hurt us as we lost top talent to the portal with uncertainty on who would be our new HC. It also hurt this incoming recruiting class with the departure happening right in the commitment window for d3 programs. Elmhurst has talent, we are just extremely thin and injuries at any position is leading to position changes and having to recreate the wheel from a scheme perspective.

I am extremely happy with the hire of Coach Heff. The previous HC to Coach Murray struggled to retain its recruiting classes which left a depleted roster for Coach Murray's staff to rebuild. The Bluejays need Coach Heff to be our longterm answer to get us back in conversation of being competitive within the CCIW.

Small Roster + Partial recruiting class for 27 class due to coaching change + partial recruiting class for 29 class = a thin roster. God Bless our SR's that stuck it out and did not quit, this is their 3rd HC during their time at EU. They are great kids, and deserve better than the cards they were dealt when it comes to their college football career. Consistency in this rebuild will be key. I was Elmhurst 5th Offensive Coordinator in 5 years when I arrived and the 1st to make it multiple years to allow our players to develop, create and build good habits within a scheme.  The class of 28 (Sophomore's) will have to buckle down and be the leaders to get the program back. When you look at the current production that is where it currently lives, yet they are still 19/20 year olds playing in a grown man's league. Our OL is going to be solid these next few years, we have talent in the skill rooms, on defense we need to have a great recruiting class at the DL position (I think we have 7/8 DL on the entire roster) and DB position. Our So LB's are ball players and good leaders.

I am hopeful the Jays can get their 2nd win this Saturday. With a stout run defense, and balanced attack on O this would be a game we shouldy be in contention. I was very proud of the 2 years we spent at Elmhurst and one thing we preached and worked on everyday was ball security, sustaining drives, winning 3rd downs, and limiting turnovers through the air. If we are going to have a chance this weekend the Jays will have to get back to that script. Our INT total through 3 games is already 1 higher than what it was in 2024. Have to keep playing clean football!

Very excited to be back to being a fan of CCIW football and keep up with the chatter within the boards. With a continued investment into athletics paired with Coach Heff being a Bluejay and being bought in for the long haul the Bluejays have a path in front of them to get back to competing!

Go Jays!

[Pat Coleman]

First time back on the boards in 3 years! Long time reader, and upon hanging up the cleats at Elmhurst I found this site and made an account to keep me involved in my love for d3 football and the CCIW. I come with what I would consider a unique perspective on the game and league. Played in it for 4 years under Coach Lester, jumped into coaching as a full time profession for 5 years coaching at Loras for a year, Syracuse for 2 years and Maryland for 2 years before exiting full time status to start up a company called GoRout where I am now the COO (I saw some shout out's earlier this year / last year on our products which are wearable devices for players to make coach to player communication more efficient.) Shane Dierking at NCC is one of my best childhood friends, having coaching buddies and customers on other staffs and I joined Mike Murray the last 2 years to aid in the rebuild of Elmhurst serving as the OC for the 23/24 seasons.

GoRout is great! I had no idea it had a D-III background. Well done!