FB: College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin

[robertgoulet]

Final score NCC 35, Bethel 21



Score probably more indicative of the game than the score at the beginning of the 4th when it was 35-7.

[RadioInsomnia]

Score probably more indicative of the game than the score at the beginning of the 4th when it was 35-7.

Seemed like all the air went out of Bethel when that TD was overturned before the half.

Long-time lurker, first-time poster! I'm still thawing out from being in the stands at B-W today.

[USee]

Congrats to NCC. Pretty convincing win over an excellent team.

[CHUBBS PETERSON]

First and foremost, congrats to all directly involved with NCC football and those that love it. Today was a fitting conclusion to what's surely been an emotional week. Wish you well going forward and would be pleased to see the Cardinals win it all again.

The sequence before the half appeared to be botched by the officiating crew in every way it possible could have been.
I thought Rundell's forward progress was stopped just short of the line to gain. However, a judgement call like that CANNOT be overturned by review under any circumstance. Errors of judgement are going to happen, and can be understood/forgiven. What isn't forgivable is errors of rules knowledge and procedure, which this clearly was. That's to say nothing of how shady the appearance of a NCC coach and the AD being in the review tent with the crew is. I firmy believe they're just in there trying to make the tech work, but the appearance of that is a massive red flag. If the tech doesn't work, then skip it. We do without it all year at this level, and it's for the better. That this happened after an eerily similar error of procedure that jammed the Royals even worse at this stage of the playoffs last year makes what happened today even harder to accept. But accept it we must; that's life.

The officiating crew botched it so badly that either team was going to end up feeling badly jammed no matter what the outcome of the bogus review was. That's unacceptable, and the kids and coaches of both teams deserve better. Maybe it doesn't change the ultimate outcome of the contest...but then again maybe it does. Obviously had a massive effect on the momentum of the game; can't dispute that in good faith. Needless stain on what was otherwise a thoroughly engrossing contest between two fine teams.

Probably sounds like sour grapes, but if it does just read the top of the post again. Thoroughly impressed with NCC and wish you all the best in the future. May we meet again soon with as much or more on the line. Bless!

[CCIWFan69]

First and foremost, congrats to all directly involved with NCC football and those that love it. Today was a fitting conclusion to what's surely been an emotional week. Wish you well going forward and would be pleased to see the Cardinals win it all again.

The sequence before the half appeared to be botched by the officiating crew in every way it possible could have been.
I thought Rundell's forward progress was stopped just short of the line to gain. However, a judgement call like that CANNOT be overturned by review under any circumstance. Errors of judgement are going to happen, and can be understood/forgiven. What isn't forgivable is errors of rules knowledge and procedure, which this clearly was. That's to say nothing of how shady the appearance of a NCC coach and the AD being in the review tent with the crew is. I firmy believe they're just in there trying to make the tech work, but the appearance of that is a massive red flag. If the tech doesn't work, then skip it. We do without it all year at this level, and it's for the better. That this happened after an eerily similar error of procedure that jammed the Royals even worse at this stage of the playoffs last year makes what happened today even harder to accept. But accept it we must; that's life.

The officiating crew botched it so badly that either team was going to end up feeling badly jammed no matter what the outcome of the bogus review was. That's unacceptable, and the kids and coaches of both teams deserve better. Maybe it doesn't change the ultimate outcome of the contest...but then again maybe it does. Obviously had a massive effect on the momentum of the game; can't dispute that in good faith. Needless stain on what was otherwise a thoroughly engrossing contest between two fine teams.

Probably sounds like sour grapes, but if it does just read the top of the post again. Thoroughly impressed with NCC and wish you all the best in the future. May we meet again soon with as much or more on the line. Bless!

I don't recall them ever say what they were reviewing, other than the previous play is under review.  Are they supposed to?  Am I confusing it with the NFL?

I think getting the ball at the 8 yard line was the right outcome (forward progress stopped) but was really crappy how they got there.  Also, if the review equipment didn't work, oh well, play stands.

I think it took away momentum from Bethel (they had NCC's D on their heels) and perhaps a tie at the half but they also couldn't stop NCC's run game and NCC would have run for 400 yards if they needed to.

Looking forward to seeing Bethel back in the mix next year - very good team and program.

[CardinalAlum]

Congrats to Bethel! Classy organization for sure!  I will agree the officials completely dropped the ball at the end of the half with the lack of a whistle,the ruling and review.  Unfortunate for a game of that magnitude.  I will disagree that a coach was in the review tent. Our AD? Yes. That's his duty to get the officials to the booth and make sure it's working.  The other guy everyone kept screaming about was the Ground supervisor making sure all was in working order!

[JCUStreaks70]

Excited for the game on Saturday. My dad is an NCC football Alum, and I grew up in Naperville, and my brother and I both played ball at JCU. So this game is making an interesting week for our family!

[Cardinal773]

Excited for the game on Saturday. My dad is an NCC football Alum, and I grew up in Naperville, and my brother and I both played ball at JCU. So this game is making an interesting week for our family!

Well I hope your dad has more fun on Saturday than you! 

All kidding aside, congrats to JCU and I'm looking forward to a great game between the two teams.  Your QB is scary good and that defense looks stout.

[JCUStreaks70]

Excited for the game on Saturday. My dad is an NCC football Alum, and I grew up in Naperville, and my brother and I both played ball at JCU. So this game is making an interesting week for our family!

Well I hope your dad has more fun on Saturday than you! 

All kidding aside, congrats to JCU and I'm looking forward to a great game between the two teams.  Your QB is scary good and that defense looks stout.

hahaha, well played. I think it'll be a great game!

[Cardinal773]

I watched the press conference from the Bethel game and appreciated Spencer's stern response to a reporter's question at the end.  The St. Paul area reporter basically asked how NC was able to take advantage of the lucky break they had from the off sides call on 4th down.  Spencer was not having it and you can very clearly see the pride he has in his team's preparation.  Luck and chance are not part of the narrative. Love it.

[Cardinal773]

Excited for the game on Saturday. My dad is an NCC football Alum, and I grew up in Naperville, and my brother and I both played ball at JCU. So this game is making an interesting week for our family!

Well I hope your dad has more fun on Saturday than you! 

All kidding aside, congrats to JCU and I'm looking forward to a great game between the two teams.  Your QB is scary good and that defense looks stout.

hahaha, well played. I think it'll be a great game!

I should also add that I picked JCU to make it to the semis on my bracket.... just not to Canton, sorry.

[JCUStreaks70]

Excited for the game on Saturday. My dad is an NCC football Alum, and I grew up in Naperville, and my brother and I both played ball at JCU. So this game is making an interesting week for our family!

Well I hope your dad has more fun on Saturday than you! 

All kidding aside, congrats to JCU and I'm looking forward to a great game between the two teams.  Your QB is scary good and that defense looks stout.

hahaha, well played. I think it'll be a great game!

I should also add that I picked JCU to make it to the semis on my bracket.... just not to Canton, sorry.

No matter what happens, this was a GREAT year for us.

1. If we lose, our two losses will be to at two semifinalists at minimum.

2. All the people who said we were running away from Mount (because you know in DIII that is how schools make decisions), shut up real quick once we beat them.

3. We got the Mount monkey off our back, by FINALLY beating them in the playoffs. I believe NCC and JCU are actually the only two teams in the last 15 years who has beaten Mount more than once, but I could be wrong.

4. We're in the freaking semi's!

5. I have wanted this game for so long! having played HS with many NCC guys and my own dad having played there, I grew up watching NCC. But I went to a certain Catholic school across the street, so when came time for college, I wanted to actually "go away", so I do have a soft spot for you all.

[USee]

Now we can move beyond Tentgate and onto the Semis. JCU has a stiff defense. I just wonder if they have the firepower to score enough to keep up w NCC.

[GusD]

"Going away" is nothing new for Naperville kids. Of course there are athletes from Naperville at NCC, but often if recruiting a local kid you'll hear something on the order of "Sorry, but I'd never really consider NCC. I've lived in Naperville all my life. I need and want to spread my wings, and see what else is out there. Besides, if I went to school here my mom would expect to see me at least once every weekend."

[JCUStreaks70]

"Going away" is nothing new for Naperville kids. Of course there are athletes from Naperville at NCC, but often if recruiting a local kid you'll hear something on the order of "Sorry, but I'd never really consider NCC. I've lived in Naperville all my life. I need and want to spread my wings, and see what else is out there. Besides, if I went to school here my mom would expect to see me at least once every weekend."

true, but I went Army first, so I went away... far away... to another continent.