FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[Gregory Sager]

I said that I thought it likely that Manchester would be as good, not that they would be good. Big difference.

Fact of the matter is, the Spartans were terrible last season. Their opening-night victory at NPU was their only win of the year, as they ended up matching NPU's 1-9 record. What's worse, the Spartans gave up an average of 41 points in those nine other games while scoring only an average of 18. The 23 points that they scored against NPU was their second-highest total of the season, while NPU's 14 was the fewest that anybody scored against them. Even perennially hapless Anderson managed to put up 19 on the scoreboard against the Spartans.

Manchester went 0-7 and finished dead last in the eight-team HCAC, a decidedly inferior league to the CCIW. Thus, returning practically everybody from their '22 team doesn't make Manchester nearly as formidable a potential opponent as that would seem. It's simply likely that they won't be worse, that's all. But one could say the exact same thing about NPU, despite the fact that the Vikings also bring back so much of their two-deep from last year.

[kenoshamark]

Carthage roster is now posted - https://athletics.carthage.edu/sports/football/roster/2023

Some major losses on offense.  Starting QB, top three rushers and their all conference receiver are not listed on the roster.

[bleedpurple]

Carthage roster is now posted - https://athletics.carthage.edu/sports/football/roster/2023

Some major losses on offense.  Starting QB, top three rushers and their all conference receiver are not listed on the roster.

Their all-conference receiver transferred to Winona State.

[markerickson]

With Carthage reeling, North Park could start the season at 4-1 headed into the game against IWU. /s

[Gregory Sager]

Carthage is certainly in a down cycle, no doubt about it.

[CuriousCCIWfan]

I am new to this board even though I have been following conversations for a few years now. I am a CCIW fan and wondering what players to really watch this year? Who is going to be carrying the football for North Central now that Greenfield is graduated? What other backs are going to replace his production? How about the other teams? Just curious to hear from some of the people who have been around awhile.

[lmitzel]

Who is going to be carrying the football for North Central now that Greenfield is graduated? What other backs are going to replace his production?

NCC's usually been pretty good about reloading at running back. A bunch of younger guys got touches late in games last year, so unless there's some stud freshman I'm not aware of coming to steal carries, probably a combination of:

• Joe Sacco (627 yds, 9.8 y/c, 7 TD in 2022)
• Jordan Chisum (331, 7.5, 4)
• Darius Byrd (267, 6.4, 3)

[wally_wabash]

Also, Luke Lehnen.

[lmitzel]

Also, Luke Lehnen.

*nods in 1000 yard rusher*

[CuriousCCIWfan]

How much will pressure be put on Luke to throw, it seemed that Greenfield took a lot of the defense's attention, and now they can put more pressure on Luke? But I know he still has the best receiver in D3. It will be fun to watch.

[wally_wabash]

How much will pressure be put on Luke to throw, it seemed that Greenfield took a lot of the defense's attention, and now they can put more pressure on Luke? But I know he still has the best receiver in D3. It will be fun to watch.

The next team that can solve NCC's offensive line will be the team that has the next best chance to win the championship.  I believe that unit is currently without peer in D-III. 

[The Third Division]

How much will pressure be put on Luke to throw, it seemed that Greenfield took a lot of the defense's attention, and now they can put more pressure on Luke? But I know he still has the best receiver in D3. It will be fun to watch.

Wayne ruby is the even better receiver in d3

[lmitzel]

How much will pressure be put on Luke to throw, it seemed that Greenfield took a lot of the defense's attention, and now they can put more pressure on Luke?

Here's the thing about that: check out NCC's career rushing yard leaders. Eight of the ten guys on that list played in the Thorne/Spencer era, and there are literally no gaps. Dominic Sulo was the main back when I started my undergrad at NCC. After he graduated, Nick Kukuc stepped right into that role, and that cycle has done nothing but repeat in the time since.

Granted, a lot of it stems from this:

The next team that can solve NCC's offensive line will be the team that has the next best chance to win the championship.  I believe that unit is currently without peer in D-III. 

On top of that, the Thornes' (and it's continued with Spencer) philosophy on offense is focus on the run. I see no reason why that would change.

[New Tradition]

How much will pressure be put on Luke to throw, it seemed that Greenfield took a lot of the defense's attention, and now they can put more pressure on Luke?

Here's the thing about that: check out NCC's career rushing yard leaders. Eight of the ten guys on that list played in the Thorne/Spencer era, and there are literally no gaps. Dominic Sulo was the main back when I started my undergrad at NCC. After he graduated, Nick Kukuc stepped right into that role, and that cycle has done nothing but repeat in the time since.

Granted, a lot of it stems from this:

The next team that can solve NCC's offensive line will be the team that has the next best chance to win the championship.  I believe that unit is currently without peer in D-III. 

On top of that, the Thornes' (and it's continued with Spencer) philosophy on offense is focus on the run. I see no reason why that would change.

Excellent Point.  Since Thorne took over in 2002, RBs have been:

Holden 02-05
Sulo 06-09
Kukuc/Tassio 09-12
Kent 11-14
Breunig 14-17
Greenfield/Hill 18-22

Lawd.  And just about all of them saw significant touches for all 4 years.  Sacco is a Jr, and to lmitzel's point, I do expect him to get the bulk of the carries given how great he looked last year, but I wouldn't be surprised if there were a new face also getting some touches given the history over the last ::wipes spectacles and coughs:: 2+ decades. 

Man, I swear, it REALLY doesn't feel like that long...

[USee]

How much will pressure be put on Luke to throw, it seemed that Greenfield took a lot of the defense's attention, and now they can put more pressure on Luke? But I know he still has the best receiver in D3. It will be fun to watch.

Wayne ruby is the even better receiver in d3

Based on what? Wayne Ruby is an outstanding WR and so is DeAngelo Hardy. I'd say these guys are very close and it is completely subjective to say one is better than the other.

Ruby played in a 50/50 run-pass offense and had significantly more targets than Hardy, who played in a 70% run 30% pass offense with a Gagliardi RB. If you break down the stats per catch, they are very similar.