FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[NCF]

     Hats off to the Thunder. While I was not at the game, I was getting updates and was able to listen for a while. All I kept hearing is how the Cardinal defense had no answer for the Wheaton passing game. When will a Cardinal defense be able to defend the pass in the big games. No one has mentioned it, but I will. A few years ago, that was the knock on former D Coordinator Bill Wienke. While he put out GREAT defenses that would come out and smack you, there were those big games where we couldn't stop the pass. Move Rick Ponx over to the defensive side of the ball and we have the same situation. Big games and we don't adjust when getting killed by the pass.....we have no answer.
     GREAT game planning by the Wheaton coaches and GREAT effort by the players. It sounded pretty much like it was total domination.
     Speaking of Bill Wienke, he coached at York H.S. for a couple of years and put together some pretty good defenses while the team made the playoffs. York gets a new head coach this year and decides not to retain Wienke. I believe all but one team scores over 40 points on the Dukes this year as they go 0'fer. Where is Wienke now? Glenbard West. We ALL know what they are doing! Good for him!!!

Wow! This is a great post and says it all.So as long as you've opened the door to this discussion, here goes. In the four years I've been following this program (the first was with Wienke), I've thought the exact same thing. where is the pass defense? watching saturday's game was like watching the 2nd half of the Wabash game all over again! How does this continue to happen year in and year out? Really hope they (and I mean coaches and players) break down this game film and come up with a solution. The crazy thing is, even after the beating on Saturday and the two losses, We STILL have a chance to grab the AQ. Go Cardss and Bluejays!

[NCF]

AndOne,

You have stated well the company line.  The conventional wisdom is Elmhurst has more to play for and IWU suddenly sucks. And if I had told you last week the boards would be dominated this week with talk about why Wheaton didn't win by 20 instead of 14 pts you would have reported me to the moderator.  I believe I was the first one to mention Elmhurst as a playoff contender on here as well. I just don't think IWU is nearly as bad as they have played these past 2 weeks.  They played the Wheaton game without Stinde so the only difference is Gallik.  Now that is a huge difference but I don't believe it's a 52-0 difference.  And anyone who thinks the Titans won't be motivated doesn't follow Norm Eash very closely.  A win that keeps NCC out of the playoffs would be mighty tasty indeed for Eash who has more than a casual rivalry with fellow IWU alum Thorne. 

The match ups in this game are quite favorable to IWU.  The Elmhurst defense is exactly what a struggling Titan offense needs.  And the IWU defense is much better than they have played the last 3 weeks.  I say this game goes down to the wire.

As for Augie v NCC I wouldn't count on the Augie v Elmhurst differential as an advantage. That didn't work too well last Saturday.

I'm thinkg Thorne and Eash pretty much hate each other, no love lost there. The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton and after Saturday's game still wondering how that happened. This coming game against IWU is the final test for Elmhurst.They are the only CCIW team left that is in complete control of their own destiny. The other two have to hope for help from someone else. I think they will be ready. NC will not fall apart against Augie next week. I have to agree with AndOne on this week's games.

[USee]

AndOne,

You have stated well the company line.  The conventional wisdom is Elmhurst has more to play for and IWU suddenly sucks. And if I had told you last week the boards would be dominated this week with talk about why Wheaton didn't win by 20 instead of 14 pts you would have reported me to the moderator.  I believe I was the first one to mention Elmhurst as a playoff contender on here as well. I just don't think IWU is nearly as bad as they have played these past 2 weeks.  They played the Wheaton game without Stinde so the only difference is Gallik.  Now that is a huge difference but I don't believe it's a 52-0 difference.  And anyone who thinks the Titans won't be motivated doesn't follow Norm Eash very closely.  A win that keeps NCC out of the playoffs would be mighty tasty indeed for Eash who has more than a casual rivalry with fellow IWU alum Thorne. 

The match ups in this game are quite favorable to IWU.  The Elmhurst defense is exactly what a struggling Titan offense needs.  And the IWU defense is much better than they have played the last 3 weeks.  I say this game goes down to the wire.

As for Augie v NCC I wouldn't count on the Augie v Elmhurst differential as an advantage. That didn't work too well last Saturday.

I'm thinkg Thorne and Eash pretty much hate each other, no love lost there. The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton and after Saturday's game still wondering how that happened. This coming game against IWU is the final test for Elmhurst.They are the only CCIW team left that is in complete control of their own destiny. The other two have to hope for help from someone else. I think they will be ready. NC will not fall apart against Augie next week. I have to agree with AndOne on this week's games.

Wheaton had 30 pts and 600 yds of offense against Elmhurst. The Bluejays won the game but I am pretty sure it was in spite of their defense, not because of it. IWU will certainly have to score and take care of the ball Saturday but if they lose, it likely won't be due to the Elmhurst Defense.

[NCF]

AndOne,

You have stated well the company line.  The conventional wisdom is Elmhurst has more to play for and IWU suddenly sucks. And if I had told you last week the boards would be dominated this week with talk about why Wheaton didn't win by 20 instead of 14 pts you would have reported me to the moderator.  I believe I was the first one to mention Elmhurst as a playoff contender on here as well. I just don't think IWU is nearly as bad as they have played these past 2 weeks.  They played the Wheaton game without Stinde so the only difference is Gallik.  Now that is a huge difference but I don't believe it's a 52-0 difference.  And anyone who thinks the Titans won't be motivated doesn't follow Norm Eash very closely.  A win that keeps NCC out of the playoffs would be mighty tasty indeed for Eash who has more than a casual rivalry with fellow IWU alum Thorne. 

The match ups in this game are quite favorable to IWU.  The Elmhurst defense is exactly what a struggling Titan offense needs.  And the IWU defense is much better than they have played the last 3 weeks.  I say this game goes down to the wire.

As for Augie v NCC I wouldn't count on the Augie v Elmhurst differential as an advantage. That didn't work too well last Saturday.

I'm thinkg Thorne and Eash pretty much hate each other, no love lost there. The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton and after Saturday's game still wondering how that happened. This coming game against IWU is the final test for Elmhurst.They are the only CCIW team left that is in complete control of their own destiny. The other two have to hope for help from someone else. I think they will be ready. NC will not fall apart against Augie next week. I have to agree with AndOne on this week's games.

Wheaton had 30 pts and 600 yds of offense against Elmhurst. The Bluejays won the game but I am pretty sure it was in spite of their defense, not because of it. IWU will certainly have to score and take care of the ball Saturday but if they lose, it likely won't be due to the Elmhurst Defense.

The only stats that matter are the final points on the scoreboard. Elmhurst won and I see them primed and ready to go this Saturday as well. Who knows, their defense might pull a Wheaton and play lights out. At least thats what I'm hoping for. I don't think IWU can completely shut down the Williams brothers.

[USee]

NewCardfan,

It is inconsistent to say on the one hand "The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton...." and then say "The only stats that matter are the final score". Your first assumption was incorrect (that Elmhurst's defense beat Wheaton) since it was a combination of factors that led to an Elmhurst victory.

IWU won't shut down the Williams brothers. They don't have to. They just need to limit them and find a way to put some points on the board, which will be much easier than it was versus Augie and NCC because the only defense in the conference worse than Elmhurst is North Park.

[NCF]

NewCardfan,

It is inconsistent to say on the one hand "The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton...." and then say "The only stats that matter are the final score". Your first assumption was incorrect (that Elmhurst's defense beat Wheaton) since it was a combination of factors that led to an Elmhurst victory.

IWU won't shut down the Williams brothers. They don't have to. They just need to limit them and find a way to put some points on the board, which will be much easier than it was in 5 of the other conference games this year so far.

The defense had to do something to win the game. If the Elmhurst defense was so bad, Wheaton would have put up 40+ points.As a Wheaton fan, you gotta have hope,but this IWU offense is not very good. I wasn't at all impressed with the IWU defense when we played them either. When IWU played Wheaton they were 6-0 and ready to prove themselves. Since they lost to Wheaton, they've been a shell of their former selves. BTW the only team to limit williams to under 150 and 0 TD's was NC.

[79jaybird]

What an exciting final week of the season this is turning out to be.  I think this season has had a little bit of everything.  I talked to Coach Swider during the week prior to the Bell Game and he had his team ready to fight.  Somebody mentioned earlier about IWU not conceding the game to Elmhurst. I don't think any team, regardless of 1st of last is going to concede anything to noone.  For many this is their last chance at strapping up the equipment so never would anybody concede without a fight. 

[NCF]

What an exciting final week of the season this is turning out to be.  I think this season has had a little bit of everything.  I talked to Coach Swider during the week prior to the Bell Game and he had his team ready to fight.  Somebody mentioned earlier about IWU not conceding the game to Elmhurst. I don't think any team, regardless of 1st of last is going to concede anything to noone.  For many this is their last chance at strapping up the equipment so never would anybody concede without a fight.

Don't think anyone lays down or gives up, and yes the Thunder's game plan worked to perfection. I don't see Elmhurst not completly primed and ready to go this week-end either. To say this season had a little bit of everything, all around the country, is an understatement. What a wild and crazy ride it's been.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

NewCardfan,

It is inconsistent to say on the one hand "The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton...." and then say "The only stats that matter are the final score". Your first assumption was incorrect (that Elmhurst's defense beat Wheaton) since it was a combination of factors that led to an Elmhurst victory.

IWU won't shut down the Williams brothers. They don't have to. They just need to limit them and find a way to put some points on the board, which will be much easier than it was in 5 of the other conference games this year so far.

The defense had to do something to win the game. If the Elmhurst defense was so bad, Wheaton would have put up 40+ points.As a Wheaton fan, you gotta have hope,but this IWU offense is not very good. I wasn't at all impressed with the IWU defense when we played them either. When IWU played Wheaton they were 6-0 and ready to prove themselves. Since they lost to Wheaton, they've been a shell of their former selves. BTW the only team to limit williams to under 150 and 0 TD's was NC.

I am with you newcardfan...big surprise, right?  .  While it is true that the Thunder rolled up some big time yardage October 13th, it was the 'Jays defense that made all the big time plays that mattered.  Yards only tell part of the story, moments defined the outcome.  I point to 4 plays (in timeline order):

1. EC defense forces a Wheaton FG after a 15 play, 60+ yard Wheaton drive early in the 2ndQ - big emotional lift for the 'Jays.
2. Evangilista rips the football away from Cook to set up EC's third TD before the half.
3. Tuckson picks off Roberts and houses it late in the 3rdQ
4. The 4th down stop with their backs to the endzone with under 5 minutes to go in the game (and the 3rd down stop the play before) - maybe the defining moment of the season for EC.  Coach Swider attempts to flex the Thunder muscle and go at the EC D on the ground for 4 straight shots (Swider, Roberts, Jarrett, and Jarrett again) and gets turned away by the 'Jays when the stakes were the highest.

Bottom line, EC made the big plays when they needed them, Wheaton did not.

[NCF]

NewCardfan,

It is inconsistent to say on the one hand "The Elmhurst defense was good enough to beat Wheaton...." and then say "The only stats that matter are the final score". Your first assumption was incorrect (that Elmhurst's defense beat Wheaton) since it was a combination of factors that led to an Elmhurst victory.

IWU won't shut down the Williams brothers. They don't have to. They just need to limit them and find a way to put some points on the board, which will be much easier than it was in 5 of the other conference games this year so far.

The defense had to do something to win the game. If the Elmhurst defense was so bad, Wheaton would have put up 40+ points.As a Wheaton fan, you gotta have hope,but this IWU offense is not very good. I wasn't at all impressed with the IWU defense when we played them either. When IWU played Wheaton they were 6-0 and ready to prove themselves. Since they lost to Wheaton, they've been a shell of their former selves. BTW the only team to limit williams to under 150 and 0 TD's was NC.

I am with you newcardfan...big surprise, right?  .  While it is true that the Thunder rolled up some big time yardage October 13th, it was the 'Jays defense that made all the big time plays that mattered.  Yards only tell part of the story, moments defined the outcome.  I point to 4 plays (in timeline order):

1. EC defense forces a Wheaton FG after a 15 play, 60+ yard Wheaton drive early in the 2ndQ - big emotional lift for the 'Jays.
2. Evangilista rips the football away from Cook to set up EC's third TD before the half.
3. Tuckson picks off Roberts and houses it late in the 3rdQ
4. The 4th down stop with their backs to the endzone with under 5 minutes to go in the game (and the 3rd down stop the play before) - maybe the defining moment of the season for EC.  Coach Swider attempts to flex the Thunder muscle and go at the EC D on the ground for 4 straight shots (Swider, Roberts, Jarrett, and Jarrett again) and gets turned away by the 'Jays when the stakes were the highest.

Bottom line, EC made the big plays when they needed them, Wheaton did not.

And I  fully expect the Jays to come out ready to play Saturday-please help a brother out?

[Langhorst_Ghost]

As for player of the year and all conference honors, there are going to be some tough decisions.

I could see a co-POY on offense with Scottie Williams and Jordan Roberts. Could also be Mark Hiben, it really depends on who Swider nominates but both are worthy.

Defensively, you have to look at a guy like Josh Mitchell or Joey Michals. Those guys have been pretty consistent all year. I can't think of any other super standouts on defense.

For offensive all conference honors, there are going to be some serious battles. Defensively, the choices seem more obvious

I also thought about a co-POY of the year with Williams/Kukoc or Roberts all worthy of the honor. Defensively, I do like those picks as well, but  Think it might come down to what happens next week.

Here are the numbers for the five front runners, in alphabetical order (CCIW games only):

Hiben, Mark: 6 games, 50 rec, 802 yards, 16 ypr, 7 TDs
Holmes, Matt: 6 games, 472 rush yards, 4.3 ypc (w/sax), 2 TDs, 1384 pass yards, 120/197 (61%), 14 TDs, 6 int
Kukoc, Nick: 6 games, 639 rush yards, 8.9 ypc, and 9 TDs, 6 rec, 66 rec yards
Roberts, Jordan: 6 games, 92 rush yards, 1739 pass yards, 133/191 (69%), 16 TD, 4 int
Williams, Scotties: 6 games, 963 rush yards, 6.5 ypc, and 11TDs, 15 rec, 128 rec yards and 2 TDs

[Green Jello Shots]

I've been a longtime reader of this board, but have never posted until now, but after reading all the posts ripping on IWU's disappointing performance the last few weeks I felt that I had to respond . I don't think anyone on this board has any idea what IWU's actual injury situation has been the past weeks. I saw Langhort_Ghost's post a week ago that referred to IWU's injury situation as an "excuse" and his attempt at explaining that the Blue Jays have faced comparable injury depletion. That is an absolute joke! I would bet the house that IWU has seen more injury depletion this season than the other conference contenders combined.

Regarding Langhorst's earlier post lauding the Blue Jays for overcoming their injury "challenges"; you have no idea how laughable Elmhurst's injury situation is compared to IWU's. There isn't a team in the CCIW (or Pop Warner football for that matter) who wouldn't gladly trade their injury situation for Elmhurst's five "training camp starter" losses that you referenced (most of whom based on your post apparently aren't even skill position players).

Please allow me to give you a little perspective on this. As an example; here is what the IWU team that faced North Central was contending with:

1)   Langhorst referenced training camp depth charts in his post, well Tyler Hook, the freshman who quarterbacked the entire game for the Titans at North Central and for most of the Augie game was their 5th string quarterback coming out of training camp! If the Blue Jays even have a 5th string quarterback, my guess is that they (and any other CCIW team) would be a vastly different team with him at the helm.  Hook was attempting to replace Rob Gallik who leads the CCIW in average yards passing per game (a tad bit more important than the Blue Jay defensive linemen Langhorst referenced in his post)
2)   They were also without all-purpose back Cameron Allen (hamstring) and their star running back; TJ Stinde was limited to only 6 carries due to a shoulder injury He didn't play at all against Augie.
3)   Their top "training camp" linebacker; Ryan Penders was out with a knee injury and is done for the year (he also missed the beginning of the season with a concussion).
4)   Their starting middle linebacker, 3rd leading tackler and former CCIW player of the week earlier this season; Conner Klein was out with a shoulder injury. He tried to play against Augie and left the game after aggravating the injury.
5)   Both of their starting cornerbacks; including another previous CCIW player of the week, Ty Bolden were out with shoulder injuries. Bolden played with the injury against Augie.
6)   Their 4th leading tackler; linebacker Kyle Pfister left the game early on with a hip injury
7)   Their second leading tackler: Mike Kraft had limited playing time due to a broken rib.
8)   Their starting defensive tackle; Bert Blodgett was carried off the field with an ankle injury and is likely done for the season.
9)   They also had a starting tackle who played with a broken foot (he left the Augie game after aggravating the injury)and a starting guard who played with a broken hand.
10)   Their starting punter was out with a broken leg

And these are just the injuries that I happen to know about; I'm sure there were others that I didn't reference. The IWU 2 deep chart that they release a couple of days before the game is never accurate and usually includes lots of players that they know have no chance of taking the field. My guess is they do this in the hopes of hampering game-plan preparation for their opposition.

I'm tired of seeing posts ripping the IWU team. Elmhurst, Augie, North Central and even Wheaton should count their blessings that they faced IWU when they were as depleted as they were. I know injuries are a part of the game and depth is vitally important as this point of the season, but the Titans have been hit with a freakish amount of injuries to key contributors by anyone's standards. While I know the IWU faithful are disappointed with the performances the past few weeks; please understand that the Titan team that has been taking the field recently is a shell of the team that beat Carthage 45-7 just a few weeks earlier.

[Langhorst_Ghost]

I've been a longtime reader of this board, but have never posted until now, but after reading all the posts ripping on IWU's disappointing performance the last few weeks I felt that I had to respond . I don't think anyone on this board has any idea what IWU's actual injury situation has been the past weeks. I saw Langhort_Ghost's post a week ago that referred to IWU's injury situation as an "excuse" and his attempt at explaining that the Blue Jays have faced comparable injury depletion. That is an absolute joke! I would bet the house that IWU has seen more injury depletion this season than the other conference contenders combined.

Regarding Langhorst's earlier post lauding the Blue Jays for overcoming their injury "challenges"; you have no idea how laughable Elmhurst's injury situation is compared to IWU's. There isn't a team in the CCIW (or Pop Warner football for that matter) who wouldn't gladly trade their injury situation for Elmhurst's five "training camp starter" losses that you referenced (most of whom based on your post apparently aren't even skill position players).

Welcome Shots, glad to have another perspective from Bloomington.  Easy does it though my man, nobody's discounting IWU's injuries - they have been disastrous, no doubt.  Perhaps "excuse" was a poor choice of words.  Number of cats on the training table is not a competition, brother.  The defensive injuries for EC was referenced simply to provide some overlooked context at their struggles on that side of the ball and to draw attention to a reality that affects all teams, not to keep score.

That being said - should be a great game at Langhorst, Saturday.  I fully expect Norm to have the Greenies ready to go for an incredibly important, high-stakes contest this weekend in the Western Suburbs!

[NCF]

I've been a longtime reader of this board, but have never posted until now, but after reading all the posts ripping on IWU's disappointing performance the last few weeks I felt that I had to respond . I don't think anyone on this board has any idea what IWU's actual injury situation has been the past weeks. I saw Langhort_Ghost's post a week ago that referred to IWU's injury situation as an "excuse" and his attempt at explaining that the Blue Jays have faced comparable injury depletion. That is an absolute joke! I would bet the house that IWU has seen more injury depletion this season than the other conference contenders combined.

Regarding Langhorst's earlier post lauding the Blue Jays for overcoming their injury "challenges"; you have no idea how laughable Elmhurst's injury situation is compared to IWU's. There isn't a team in the CCIW (or Pop Warner football for that matter) who wouldn't gladly trade their injury situation for Elmhurst's five "training camp starter" losses that you referenced (most of whom based on your post apparently aren't even skill position players).

Please allow me to give you a little perspective on this. As an example; here is what the IWU team that faced North Central was contending with:

1)   Langhorst referenced training camp depth charts in his post, well Tyler Hook, the freshman who quarterbacked the entire game for the Titans at North Central and for most of the Augie game was their 5th string quarterback coming out of training camp! If the Blue Jays even have a 5th string quarterback, my guess is that they (and any other CCIW team) would be a vastly different team with him at the helm.  Hook was attempting to replace Rob Gallik who leads the CCIW in average yards passing per game (a tad bit more important than the Blue Jay defensive linemen Langhorst referenced in his post)
2)   They were also without all-purpose back Cameron Allen (hamstring) and their star running back; TJ Stinde was limited to only 6 carries due to a shoulder injury He didn't play at all against Augie.
3)   Their top "training camp" linebacker; Ryan Penders was out with a knee injury and is done for the year (he also missed the beginning of the season with a concussion).
4)   Their starting middle linebacker, 3rd leading tackler and former CCIW player of the week earlier this season; Conner Klein was out with a shoulder injury. He tried to play against Augie and left the game after aggravating the injury.
5)   Both of their starting cornerbacks; including another previous CCIW player of the week, Ty Bolden were out with shoulder injuries. Bolden played with the injury against Augie.
6)   Their 4th leading tackler; linebacker Kyle Pfister left the game early on with a hip injury
7)   Their second leading tackler: Mike Kraft had limited playing time due to a broken rib.
8)   Their starting defensive tackle; Bert Blodgett was carried off the field with an ankle injury and is likely done for the season.
9)   They also had a starting tackle who played with a broken foot (he left the Augie game after aggravating the injury)and a starting guard who played with a broken hand.
10)   Their starting punter was out with a broken leg

And these are just the injuries that I happen to know about; I'm sure there were others that I didn't reference. The IWU 2 deep chart that they release a couple of days before the game is never accurate and usually includes lots of players that they know have no chance of taking the field. My guess is they do this in the hopes of hampering game-plan preparation for their opposition.

I'm tired of seeing posts ripping the IWU team. Elmhurst, Augie, North Central and even Wheaton should count their blessings that they faced IWU when they were as depleted as they were. I know injuries are a part of the game and depth is vitally important as this point of the season, but the Titans have been hit with a freakish amount of injuries to key contributors by anyone's standards. While I know the IWU faithful are disappointed with the performances the past few weeks; please understand that the Titan team that has been taking the field recently is a shell of the team that beat Carthage 45-7 just a few weeks earlier.

Thanks for posting this, as many people were wondering just how bad the injury situation was. Let me be the first to apologize for anything I might have said or implied. Unfortunately, injuries are part of football, but the Titan situation just seems horrible.

[Mugsy]

I've been a longtime reader of this board, but have never posted until now, but after reading all the posts ripping on IWU's disappointing performance the last few weeks I felt that I had to respond . I don't think anyone on this board has any idea what IWU's actual injury situation has been the past weeks. I saw Langhort_Ghost's post a week ago that referred to IWU's injury situation as an "excuse" and his attempt at explaining that the Blue Jays have faced comparable injury depletion. That is an absolute joke! I would bet the house that IWU has seen more injury depletion this season than the other conference contenders combined.

Regarding Langhorst's earlier post lauding the Blue Jays for overcoming their injury "challenges"; you have no idea how laughable Elmhurst's injury situation is compared to IWU's. There isn't a team in the CCIW (or Pop Warner football for that matter) who wouldn't gladly trade their injury situation for Elmhurst's five "training camp starter" losses that you referenced (most of whom based on your post apparently aren't even skill position players).

Please allow me to give you a little perspective on this. As an example; here is what the IWU team that faced North Central was contending with:

1)   Langhorst referenced training camp depth charts in his post, well Tyler Hook, the freshman who quarterbacked the entire game for the Titans at North Central and for most of the Augie game was their 5th string quarterback coming out of training camp! If the Blue Jays even have a 5th string quarterback, my guess is that they (and any other CCIW team) would be a vastly different team with him at the helm.  Hook was attempting to replace Rob Gallik who leads the CCIW in average yards passing per game (a tad bit more important than the Blue Jay defensive linemen Langhorst referenced in his post)
2)   They were also without all-purpose back Cameron Allen (hamstring) and their star running back; TJ Stinde was limited to only 6 carries due to a shoulder injury He didn't play at all against Augie.
3)   Their top "training camp" linebacker; Ryan Penders was out with a knee injury and is done for the year (he also missed the beginning of the season with a concussion).
4)   Their starting middle linebacker, 3rd leading tackler and former CCIW player of the week earlier this season; Conner Klein was out with a shoulder injury. He tried to play against Augie and left the game after aggravating the injury.
5)   Both of their starting cornerbacks; including another previous CCIW player of the week, Ty Bolden were out with shoulder injuries. Bolden played with the injury against Augie.
6)   Their 4th leading tackler; linebacker Kyle Pfister left the game early on with a hip injury
7)   Their second leading tackler: Mike Kraft had limited playing time due to a broken rib.
8)   Their starting defensive tackle; Bert Blodgett was carried off the field with an ankle injury and is likely done for the season.
9)   They also had a starting tackle who played with a broken foot (he left the Augie game after aggravating the injury)and a starting guard who played with a broken hand.
10)   Their starting punter was out with a broken leg

And these are just the injuries that I happen to know about; I'm sure there were others that I didn't reference. The IWU 2 deep chart that they release a couple of days before the game is never accurate and usually includes lots of players that they know have no chance of taking the field. My guess is they do this in the hopes of hampering game-plan preparation for their opposition.

I'm tired of seeing posts ripping the IWU team. Elmhurst, Augie, North Central and even Wheaton should count their blessings that they faced IWU when they were as depleted as they were. I know injuries are a part of the game and depth is vitally important as this point of the season, but the Titans have been hit with a freakish amount of injuries to key contributors by anyone's standards. While I know the IWU faithful are disappointed with the performances the past few weeks; please understand that the Titan team that has been taking the field recently is a shell of the team that beat Carthage 45-7 just a few weeks earlier.

Not to refute or lessen the severity of what you've outlined, but it is not too different of a situation than other teams face each year.  I can think of 2 seasons where Wheaton was 6-0 or 8-0, but decimated by injuries and lost 2 of the remaining games of the season to go from likely CCIW champ and playoff team to "a nice season, but far less than expected."

2007: Wheaton was 8-0, with a home game against a 6-2 Carthage team and an away game against a 7-2 IWU team.  I could go back to the post pages from that timeframe to find the injury list, because many had documented and commented on it (not just Wheaton fan's).  Wheaton ends up losing 35-27 to Carthage and then 18-14 to IWU.  In 2006 and in 2008 Wheaton was a playoff team, including a run to the semi-finals in 2008 (when many of the injured players from 2007 returned).  Instead the CCIW championship was shared by NCC and IWU.

2009: Wheaton was 6-0 before losing to NCC in Naperville.  Again Wheaton was crushed by the injuries.  After beating Elmhurst to go to 7-1, Wheaton lost their last two games to IWU (20-17) and Carthage (35-30).  Again the CCIW championship was shared by NCC and IWU and another promising season fizzled in the end.  I took some grief from those on this board for lamenting about the laundry list of injuries to Wheaton. 

Those are two seasons where Wheaton was right there for a conference championship or at least a share.  No doubt that injuries played a significant role in the outcome of those final games.  But it is an unfortunate part of the game.  Some years the number of injuries is uncommonly high, other years teams are fortunate to be somewhat unscathed.  That is why teams with the most depth are the ones to compete year in and year out for the CCIW title.