FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[cuyahogacuse]

I was reading some of the comments on the front page and found some of them interesting. First of all, I hold both Brad Spencer and Jesse Scott in extremely high regard as people and leaders of their teams so anyone who tries to cast shade on them and their character is just ignorant.

I also saw some comments about how the Wheaton team rushed the NCC sideline to grab the bell (which the D3 Team correctly points out was done by the NCC team @Wheaton in 2021). I had no problem with it then and certainly didn't on Saturday. That's just pure enthusiasm from teams that fought hard and wanted the trophy. Since emotions run high in these games and rushing the other team's sideline is generally not a great idea, I suggest each school create a table or display setting for the Bell that isn't directly behind the other team's bench but off to the side or near where the current holder enters the field. That would alleviate any misperception of intention by either team.

Admittedly, my family wasn't a part of this game for the first 70 years of Bell games. My first one was in 2021, and over the course of five years, one of the core memories for me as a fan was of North Central storming the Wheaton sideline and taking that well-earned Bell away.

If that moment is engrained in me as a fan, how much moreso for the players on the field. Granted, it's been so long that all the players Saturday night were different than those who competed in that 2021 game. But ... it's a rivalry. A mostly civil one where the coaches have great respect and admiration for each other. I noted Jesse Scott and Brad Spencer spent a fair amount of time talking with each other on the logo before the game. Jeff Thorne spoke at a Friday Wheaton Chapel service just weeks before his passing last year. The respect runs deep. But the players know how that Bell left the Wheaton campus.

Add to it five years of beatdowns. Number 1 vs. Number 2. There was a lot on the line and a lot of emotion riding high on Saturday night.

Still I agree. The opponent sideline storming is probably not a great idea. How is Paul Bunyan's Ax or The Old Oaken Bucket transferred? Might be time for some of the administrators to think through this one.

[CarollFan]

Yes the 8-2 teams best chance is AQ.
Bethel at 8-2 less then 20% chance.


Right now over 11 conferences can produce a 1 loss at-large team with 11 at-large bids.

To begin I want to be clear, I don't honestly have any delusions as to where IWU ranks nationwide.  But if they do finish 8-2, their 2 losses would be to 2 teams who at one point in the season were both ranked #1 in the country.  At worst, it's a heckuva turnaround for Coach Williamson in year 2, much of which they accomplished with a backup QB.

No doubt they've done a great job. The 8-2 comment regarding at-large bids speaks more to NPI and having only 11 at-large bids and the challenge for 8-2 teams to make the playoffs. Beating a WIAC team in the Isthmus Bowl would be nice as so far only Wheaton has got a win there. The opportunity for IWU to make the playoffs is beating NCC the last game so it's not over yet.

[CarollFan]

I was reading some of the comments on the front page and found some of them interesting. First of all, I hold both Brad Spencer and Jesse Scott in extremely high regard as people and leaders of their teams so anyone who tries to cast shade on them and their character is just ignorant.

I also saw some comments about how the Wheaton team rushed the NCC sideline to grab the bell (which the D3 Team correctly points out was done by the NCC team @Wheaton in 2021). I had no problem with it then and certainly didn't on Saturday. That's just pure enthusiasm from teams that fought hard and wanted the trophy. Since emotions run high in these games and rushing the other team's sideline is generally not a great idea, I suggest each school create a table or display setting for the Bell that isn't directly behind the other team's bench but off to the side or near where the current holder enters the field. That would alleviate any misperception of intention by either team.

Admittedly, my family wasn't a part of this game for the first 70 years of Bell games. My first one was in 2021, and over the course of five years, one of the core memories for me as a fan was of North Central storming the Wheaton sideline and taking that well-earned Bell away.

If that moment is engrained in me as a fan, how much moreso for the players on the field. Granted, it's been so long that all the players Saturday night were different than those who competed in that 2021 game. But ... it's a rivalry. A mostly civil one where the coaches have great respect and admiration for each other. I noted Jesse Scott and Brad Spencer spent a fair amount of time talking with each other on the logo before the game. Jeff Thorne spoke at a Friday Wheaton Chapel service just weeks before his passing last year. The respect runs deep. But the players know how that Bell left the Wheaton campus.

Add to it five years of beatdowns. Number 1 vs. Number 2. There was a lot on the line and a lot of emotion riding high on Saturday night.

Still I agree. The opponent sideline storming is probably not a great idea. How is Paul Bunyan's Ax or The Old Oaken Bucket transferred? Might be time for some of the administrators to think through this one.

I was thinking move it away from players more towards an end zone. After a tough game like that you got the visitors storming your sideline🤦

Carroll and Carthage play for a musket. I checked their last game and they had the musket off in the corner but also went thru the handshake line first before getting the musket and celebrating. Going thru the handshake line emptied the sidelines.

[CarollFan]

CCIW Players of the Week

Offense - Augie RB Ben Ludlum (2nd time offense player of the week)

Defense - Wheaton LB Zeke Harris (2nd time defense player of the week)

Special Teams - IWU Punter Matt Worthington

[CarollFan]

blue_jays

Good job sticking up for Forcucci on the MIAC board. I think they're ready to hand Feeney the Gagliardi.