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!

[CarollFan]

Wheaton vs. NCC Preview (Includes link to game notes)

IWU. vs. WashU Preview (Includes link to game notes and titan podcast)

Augie vs. NPU Preview

Carroll vs. Millikin Game Notes

Looks like NCC, NPU, Elmhurst and Millikin have homecoming this week.

[CarollFan]

NCC HOF - Coach Thorne

[CarollFan]

Augie QB interview.

[USee]

Bell game tomorrow. Having seen every snap this season for both teams, I could certainly write a lot about these two teams and their strengths/weaknesses. Suffice to say this seems like Wheaton's best chance in 5 seasons (as Greg T wrote on the front page in Week 5 predictions). That said I think the Thunder are probably 14 pt+ under dogs by all outside accounts.

Quick summary: For Wheaton they are certainly better in almost every way from last years team. Primarily up front on both sides. Defensively they have a front 7 that is vastly improved against the run (UMU 4 ypc) than the front that gave up 6.8 ypc vs NCC last year. Their two DE's are playmakers and their LB's are fast. Offensively they are better at WR as a group and bring back their All Conference QB, Forcucci, who many may not remember did NOT play vs NCC last year. Their OL is much improved over last year with Jesse Scott coaching them personally. This is a potent offense as they demonstrated in Alliance (FWIW the 1st team UMU defense never subbed out of that game).

North Central is a very different team. Defense is their strength and that starts with DT JP Sullivan the reigning co-DPOY (with Wheaton's DE Johanik). I have not seen a force on the DL like Sullivan since Wheaton's Dallas McRae (who was the D3 DPOY). Sullivan is a generational talent in D3 in my opinion and will have to be accounted for. But the defense doesn't stop there. IMO, this is as good a defense as NCC has had in 4-5 yrs. Veteran LB's and secondary are well coached and there is a reason they are a top 10 unit nationally. Offensively they don't have Lehnen, Pryor or Maples, but they have all upper classmen filling in up front with returning center Durian. Mt Union had a similar profile (holes filled in by upper classmen) which is what the D3 powers do to reload. They are still as physical an offensive team as you will see running the ball and they have just enough playmakers at WR to execute Spencer's brilliant play calling. NCC also has an AA type transfer as a FG kicker who is money from 50+ and in.

Plenty of talent in Naperville to repeat both Bell Game and national title, though Wheaton has closed the gap. I am not sure Wheaton will be able to deal with Sullivan up front, but if they do, I think they can score. The scenario in my mind that gives Wheaton a chance would be a low scoring affair where 21 pts wins. If NCC is scoring at will, I am not sure Wheaton can keep up against this defense.

Now having said that, I am now certain this will be a 45-42 game. 

[NCC2010]

Great breakdown, USee. I agree on pretty much all of it. I don't think either team will be able to run the ball consistently, and it will really come down to how Wheaton's secondary holds up against the NCC passing attack. Wilson will need to be better with his decision-making than he was last week. I assume Johanik and Co. will greatly reduce his time to throw compared to the first three weeks.

I am assuming Forcucci is playing this week even though he's not listed on the two-deep in the game notes. I think Kortenhoeven has a big game, especially if he's left 1-on-1 on the backside of sets, which NCC commonly likes to do. I wonder if we see more Jahron Williams in this scenario, as he is taller and matches up better with Kortenhoeven.

Sullivan is on the cusp of intercepting a middle screen here some week, as he already has two pass breakups on those plays. His feel for the screen game is really incredible.

One last thing I'm looking for—and I know I've brought it up before—is, if NCC wins the toss, do they defer to the second half? They actually did this against Carthage, for the first time I can remember since Spencer took over as head coach. They punted on their first drive against both Oshkosh and WashU, and the strength of the team this year is definitely the defense, so I would like to see them defer if they win the toss.

I'm really looking forward to being at the game and hoping for a packed house and a great game!

[CarollFan]

Forcucci didn't play in the Carroll game.
He was taking out early in the 4rth Q of Augie game. The replay of the Augie game is on the CCIW network. He comes out around the 14:10 mark of 4rth Q and goes right to training table on sideline.

I don't know about trusting the 2 deep. It's been wrong in a few games as far as starting QB.