FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[CarollFan]

So Wilson, the Ok St transfer, is the starting QB?

NCC offense started slow in the first but D was solid from the start.
The OL looked like it was struggling in 1rst Q but got the running game going, Skokna doing his thing, Wilson running a little too.

[NCC2010]

Just got back from the game—here are my thoughts...

The defense looks great. Obviously, they are returning a ton of talent there, but the transfers also mixed in well. Maverick Ohle replaced Cortez at DT and already looks like an All-American-type talent next to Sullivan. They gave up the 1-yard TD after the blocked punt, but after that, Oshkosh couldn't do much until the backups subbed in during the 4th quarter. Renick, the transfer from Wittenberg, was coming in as a designated pass rusher on passing situations. Groark is back from injury and, instead of playing corner, is essentially replacing Orr at nickel/OLB. I talked to one of the coaches, and they think this defense has a chance to be the best in school history.

Wilson got the start at QB and is definitely the guy moving forward. Ashiru came in on a few short-yardage situations to essentially be a wildcat type, but otherwise he was in with the backups at the end of the game. Wilson started slow but really got in a groove as the game went along. I think he is more accurate than Lehnen was already, has more arm strength as well, but is definitely not the runner that Luke was—despite the nice zone read he pulled and ran in for the 60-yard TD. He's got what seems like pretty decent pocket awareness, and he is a really big kid—listed at 6'3", 225 lbs—and I definitely think those numbers are accurate.

The OL is definitely not as dominant as in the past few seasons, which is understandable after graduating Pryor and Maples, who are two of the best OL we've ever had. Cortez looks like our best OL, which makes sense why they moved him over from the defense. They still have more time to gel, but the running lanes were not as massive as we have become accustomed to.

Sean Allen got the bulk of the carries, but in my opinion, Donovan McNeal is the best pure rusher they have. They didn't give him any carries until the 2nd quarter, which I didn't understand, but he basically took over a drive on the way to their first TD. His explosiveness really stands out.

Skokna is an All-American WR, and clearly Wilson's favorite target—he was uncoverable today. The WR corps on the whole is stacked, with Skokna, Rummell, and NIU transfer Jalen Johnson getting the most reps along with Myles Walton. Johnson is actually the son of the assistant athletic director, was all-state in high school in track (300m hurdles), and is every bit of 6'5".

I think the offense will be slightly more pass-heavy than in the past few years, due to the depth at WR, Wilson's arm, and the lack of the rushing threat that Lehnen posed.

Aidan Ellison the new kicker transfer from Arkansas State (played in high school at Naperville Central) has an absolute cannon of a leg.  I couldn't believe it when they trotted him out there for a 56 yard FG attempt.  He missed wide but had enough distance.  Had multiple kickoffs out of the back of the endzone as well.

All in all, a great way to start the season after trailing 7-0 after the first quarter.  Very excited to see what this team can accomplish the rest of the season.

[CardinalAlum]

What ever happened to The Red Zone on NCTV?

The previous, way in over their head, "President" made the decision that The Red Zone was not worth the money.  Another reason she was absolutely awful!

[Cardinal773]

Johnson and Ellison's father's were teammates at NCC in the 90s.  Shane Ellison had the NC single game rushing rushing record for a long while.  Brian Johnson was an all American in track... 400 hurdles, go figure!

The offense had trouble setting the edge on outside runs.  I'm assuming the new players are getting the scheme.  That and UWO's D was quick and strong.

Can't wait to see our D gel some more.  They really looked good.

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst edges Rockford, 34-30, at Langhorst Field. It's a win, but if you're a Bluejays fan it's not a particularly encouraging one.

[CarollFan]

Elmhurst edges Rockford, 34-30, at Langhorst Field. It's a win, but if you're a Bluejays fan it's not a particularly encouraging one.

I caught some of this game.
Elmhurst SR QB #7 John Odom threw for 400 yds, 4 TD's, 2 ints.
SO RB #26 Mason Leach had 83 yds rushing and 122 yds receiving, 2 TD's.
They had a total of 502 yds of offense.


Where they struggled is turnovers, 2 Ints, 2 fumbles and pass D.
They gave up a total of 425 yards and 409 were passing yards.

CCIW goes 7-3 in non-conference games.

[Gregory Sager]

Elmhurst edges Rockford, 34-30, at Langhorst Field. It's a win, but if you're a Bluejays fan it's not a particularly encouraging one.

I caught some of this game.
Elmhurst SR QB #7 John Odom threw for 400 yds, 4 TD's, 2 ints.
SO RB #26 Mason Leach had 83 yds rushing and 122 yds receiving, 2 TD's.
They had a total of 502 yds of offense.


Where they struggled is turnovers, 2 Ints, 2 fumbles and pass D.
They gave up a total of 425 yards and 409 were passing yards.

Rockford always either brings up the rear in the NACC standings, or close to it. No CCIW team should be up by less than a touchdown, with the game thus still undecided, in the final few minutes of the fourth quarter against the Regents -- especially when that CCIW team is at home. And giving up 30 points and 425 offensive yards to the Regents? Yikes.

Every team has first-game kinks that have to be worked out. But it appears that the problems with the Bluejays go deeper than first-game kinks, particularly on the defensive side of the ball.

CCIW goes 7-3 in non-conference games.

That's a good finish. It's realistically what should've been expected, although I know that Carroll fans were hoping for a more competitive game at UWEC. Augie, Carthage, and Elmhurst fans might've been hoping for less, shall we say, interesting performances from their respective teams, but the outcome is ultimately what matters.

[USee]

I'm feeling even more optimistic about Wheaton's season after watching Mt Union v Grove City yesterday. Grove City is widely believed to be a top 15 team and handled Cortland quite easily in week 1 after losing yesterday to Mt Union 45-14. Wheaton was more competitive with Mt Union in just about every way. I feel much better about our talent on the OL and DL. Big challenge this week with Augie's transfer QB, who can spin it. Then we travel to Carroll before the Bell game in Naperville in a few weeks.

[NCC2010]

I was under the impression we would be able to watch archived games now with the CCIW Network, but I am not finding anything but live or upcoming games.  Anyone know if you can rewatch games like the NCC game yesterday?

[Gregory Sager]

The CCIW Network only facilitates easier access to all of the livestreams coming from CCIW schools. It doesn't have the power to enforce any rules as to what will or won't be archived for public viewing. The individual schools each still control their livestream libraries.

[ncc_fan]

Example: Of the three football games played at CCIW stadia in weeks 1 & 2, only Elmhurst's 9/13 game is available. The IWU & NCC games are not. 

[CarollFan]

I'm feeling even more optimistic about Wheaton's season after watching Mt Union v Grove City yesterday. Grove City is widely believed to be a top 15 team and handled Cortland quite easily in week 1 after losing yesterday to Mt Union 45-14. Wheaton was more competitive with Mt Union in just about every way. I feel much better about our talent on the OL and DL. Big challenge this week with Augie's transfer QB, who can spin it. Then we travel to Carroll before the Bell game in Naperville in a few weeks.

Mount Union looks really good.
I think the key for Augie to stay in the game is can they keep the Wheaton DL off their QB.
Augie has some WR's too. They had 2 with over 100 yds in first game.

I was at the Wheaton vs. Carrol game is 2023 when our passing game was humming and Wheaton brought the pressure from the first play all day. We couldn't do anything.
I'm pretty sure Wheaton is going to try to make it uncomfortable for the QB back there.

[CarollFan]

Example: Of the three football games played at CCIW stadia in weeks 1 & 2, only Elmhurst's 9/13 game is available. The IWU & NCC games are not. 

Not the game but highlights.

[CarollFan]

HansenRatings has projections for this week:

NCC 41
UWO 14
95% for NCC win

Mr. Hansen, I will never doubt you or your algorithm.

[Gregory Sager]

That's as good a cue as any to post what Logan's algorithm foresees for this coming Saturday:

Wheaton 47, Augustana 18	(WC 97%, AC 3%)
Washington MO 35, Carroll 15	(WUSTL 90%, CU 10%)
North Central 63, Carthage 0	(NCC 100%, CC 0%)
Illinois Wesleyan 44, Elmhurst 14	(IWU 97%, EU 3%)
North Park 32, Millikin 18	(NPU 82%, MU 18%)

Home teams are in bold.

https://hansenratings.github.io/2025%20Week%203.html