Last Saturday our guys played the hearts out! After two weeks on the road, we returned home to face a very talented Beloit College team. They had some skill kids that were amazing. While the shootout, didn't help my overall blood-pressure, the win made my evening a little more relaxing. My wife makes fun of me for my "wandering patterns" during the game; but if you were at the last game, you would know why I pace so much!
I was most happy for our players, who performed well inspite of all the off-field distractions that a homecoming game bring. During the week, there are powder-puff games and other fun events that can cause young guys to lose focus, but our players did a great job of putting that stuff aside and preparing to win a game.
So now we are on to the Grinnell game. Our kids have prepared all week for a win. As we told the kids last night in the meeting, talk means nothing, action is what is important. Knowing what to do, is not nearly as important as going out and doing it!
Hopefully we'll see you out there at 1pm on Saturday to cheer on this group of young men who are battered and beaten up after 3/4 of a football season! Let's do this!!!
Friday, October 23, 2009
Friday, October 2, 2009
Tough loss...gotta play the next one!
Last weekend was a tough loss. We expected that it would be a hard fought, tough, violent football game...and it was! I have heard all week that it was a great game to watch, and I am sure if we had won, I would feel the same way. In spite of that feeling of having your heart ripped out of your chest, we battle on!
We had an excellent week of practice. I know I have said it before, and I'll say it again...this group of kids that I am lucky enough to coach, are awesome! They were bummed about last week, but responded with a great (and fun) week of practice. We even had a OL vs DL field-goal kicking competition. I didn't realize that Matt Strubhart could toe-punch the ball with such force...he would have been good from 40 yards out!
So we loaded the bus for our road game. We stopped in Rochelle, IL, for some pizzas and then again in Madison, WI. But that was for a walk-through in Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Our kids walked around and saw the monuments and read the plaques about the history of Camp Randall and the evolution of the football program. Did you know...Camp Randall was actually a training site for Union soldiers during the American Civil War. It was great to see a "Blueboy" fully outfitted. Our kids recognized the significance of their mascot and the role it played in our country's history.
So now I am sitting in a hotel in Appleton, WI. In about 20 minutes we'll be heading to the Golden Corral. The GC is a great football eating establishment! Every D3 coach knows that on Friday night they serve steaks and the players love it!
We're excited about tomorrow's game at Lawrence University!!!
We had an excellent week of practice. I know I have said it before, and I'll say it again...this group of kids that I am lucky enough to coach, are awesome! They were bummed about last week, but responded with a great (and fun) week of practice. We even had a OL vs DL field-goal kicking competition. I didn't realize that Matt Strubhart could toe-punch the ball with such force...he would have been good from 40 yards out!
So we loaded the bus for our road game. We stopped in Rochelle, IL, for some pizzas and then again in Madison, WI. But that was for a walk-through in Camp Randall Stadium on the campus of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Our kids walked around and saw the monuments and read the plaques about the history of Camp Randall and the evolution of the football program. Did you know...Camp Randall was actually a training site for Union soldiers during the American Civil War. It was great to see a "Blueboy" fully outfitted. Our kids recognized the significance of their mascot and the role it played in our country's history.
So now I am sitting in a hotel in Appleton, WI. In about 20 minutes we'll be heading to the Golden Corral. The GC is a great football eating establishment! Every D3 coach knows that on Friday night they serve steaks and the players love it!
We're excited about tomorrow's game at Lawrence University!!!
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
This Saturday Benefit for Riah's Rainbow
In honor of Childhood Cancer Awareness Month the Illinois College Football team is accepting donations on behalf of Riah’s Rainbow.Riah’s Rainbow was established in 2008 in honor Mariah Klein, of Green Bay, WI, who lost her battle with an inoperable pediatric brain tumor at the age of four. Mariah was an artist...her artwork became her therapy and kept her smiling throughout her ordeal. The ultimate goal of Riah’s Rainbow is to bring those smiles to the faces of children who have to endure a stay in the hospital. With compromised immune systems, the threat of illness is always there. Riah’s Rainbow works to eliminates that fear of illness by providing new coloring books, crayons, markers, colored pencils, craft items, etc. to pediatric patients each time they visit.
Riah’s Rainbow is trying to expand their efforts to touch the lives of children in every state through this outreach program. Let’s help Riah’s Rainbow reach the children of Illinois and help them find their smile!
Please bring new art supplies, puzzles, crafts, etc*... to the Illinois College football game on: Saturday, September 26 • 1 p.m
To learn more about Riah’s Rainbow and how you can make a difference visit www.riahsrainbow.org.
*Monetary donations are also welcome. All donations will benefit Riah’s Rainbow and Childhood Cancer Awareness.
Solid Win...Another Big Game the Horizon!
For the second week in a row, we fell behind early only to win the game. We played a pretty good game. I was really happy with the effort and intensity with which our players played. Winning a college football game is very difficult, coming back from being down is even harder.
Now that this game is over it is time to look forward to Ripon College! This will be the most physical game we have played in thus far. It will give us a good idea of just how physically tough we are as a football team. They, like Knox, run the Navy triple-option, so they will be difficult to defend. Defensively the run around very well and could cause us some problems. I know that our players are excited about the challenge!
Don't forget that this weekend is our benefit for Riah's Rainbow (www.riahsrainbow.org). We'll be accepting donations on their behalf. Check back on Thursday for another post with more information!
Now that this game is over it is time to look forward to Ripon College! This will be the most physical game we have played in thus far. It will give us a good idea of just how physically tough we are as a football team. They, like Knox, run the Navy triple-option, so they will be difficult to defend. Defensively the run around very well and could cause us some problems. I know that our players are excited about the challenge!
Don't forget that this weekend is our benefit for Riah's Rainbow (www.riahsrainbow.org). We'll be accepting donations on their behalf. Check back on Thursday for another post with more information!
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Blueboys 44 - Knox College 24...here come the Foresters!
Very rarely in the game of football does it go the way you want it to. Even when you win, it's not really the way you script it. For the second week in a row, we fell behind only to storm back. This time we secured the lead and held on to it!
Down 17-7 at half-time was an uneasy feeling. We had just 12 plays on offense, compared to their 50; it is ubelieveable that we won! Defending the triple-option is extremely difficult. And it's made even more difficult when your offense goes 3 & out!!!
I believe we showed the character of our program. I'm very proud of our guys for their work ethic. They are fun to be around and work their tails off!
I'm excited for the challenge of this weeks' game. Lake Forest may be 0-2, but they are a good football team. They have a very experienced defense and a young but talented offense. It'll be exciting...we'll see you here!
Down 17-7 at half-time was an uneasy feeling. We had just 12 plays on offense, compared to their 50; it is ubelieveable that we won! Defending the triple-option is extremely difficult. And it's made even more difficult when your offense goes 3 & out!!!
I believe we showed the character of our program. I'm very proud of our guys for their work ethic. They are fun to be around and work their tails off!
I'm excited for the challenge of this weeks' game. Lake Forest may be 0-2, but they are a good football team. They have a very experienced defense and a young but talented offense. It'll be exciting...we'll see you here!
Wednesday, September 9, 2009
Tough Week...Bring on Knox!
This past weekend, we suffered a tough loss to Millikin University. It was a bit of drizzly, rainy day, but that didn't hurt our effort or our attitude. I was proud of of our players' effort and intensity throughout the game. We made some "young guy" mistakes at times, but our attitude never got down. At one point we were down 21-7, but found the courage to battle back to tie it up prior to halftime.
As a coach, it's tough to deal with a loss. However, getting back on the field with the players on Tuesday afternoon felt great! We came out ready to practice and put the game behind us. We have an excellent group of young men who love to play and love to compete! That is why I love coaching....dealing with this group of young men is AWESOME!!!
This weekend we'll be in Galesburg, Illinois for our first conference game against Knox College. Knox is a dangerous team because of the style of offense and defense they play. On offense, they run the triple option. Their offense is very similar to Navy's, which this past weekend gave Ohio State fits. On defense, they are like the Chicago Bears. They are a bend but don't break style and force you to play a solid game. They are not going to beat themselves. We need to come out ready to play. We need to play a solid game of BLUEBOY FOOTBALL!!!
Remember, there will be a tailgate prior to the game. If you would like more information about it, contact Pam Martin at psmartin@ic.edu.
As a coach, it's tough to deal with a loss. However, getting back on the field with the players on Tuesday afternoon felt great! We came out ready to practice and put the game behind us. We have an excellent group of young men who love to play and love to compete! That is why I love coaching....dealing with this group of young men is AWESOME!!!
This weekend we'll be in Galesburg, Illinois for our first conference game against Knox College. Knox is a dangerous team because of the style of offense and defense they play. On offense, they run the triple option. Their offense is very similar to Navy's, which this past weekend gave Ohio State fits. On defense, they are like the Chicago Bears. They are a bend but don't break style and force you to play a solid game. They are not going to beat themselves. We need to come out ready to play. We need to play a solid game of BLUEBOY FOOTBALL!!!
Remember, there will be a tailgate prior to the game. If you would like more information about it, contact Pam Martin at psmartin@ic.edu.
Wednesday, September 2, 2009
Saturday Tailgate
From the Illinois College Alumni Office:
You are invited for some football fun…
WHO: Alumni, Parents and Friends
WHERE: Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois
WHEN: Saturday, September 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FOOD: Bring a dish to share in true tailgate fashion. The Alumni Office will provide sandwiches, drinks and utensils. Alcohol is not allowed.
RSVP: Please make your reservation with the Alumni Office at 217.245.3069 or rsvp@ic.edu by September 4.
TAILGATE PARTY: Before the 1 p.m. football game when the Illinois College Blueboys take on Millikin’s Big Blue. Look for the College’s pop-up tent in the visitor’s designated area near Frank M. Lindsay Field located on Route 36/West Eldorado Street and Oakland Avenue. Paid parking is available in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center lot. For more details on location of our tailgate party, go to the IC Web site: www.ic.edu/alumni.
Be sure to wear you IC spirit wear.
GO BLUEBOYS!!!
You are invited for some football fun…
WHO: Alumni, Parents and Friends
WHERE: Millikin University, Decatur, Illinois
WHEN: Saturday, September 5, 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m.
FOOD: Bring a dish to share in true tailgate fashion. The Alumni Office will provide sandwiches, drinks and utensils. Alcohol is not allowed.
RSVP: Please make your reservation with the Alumni Office at 217.245.3069 or rsvp@ic.edu by September 4.
TAILGATE PARTY: Before the 1 p.m. football game when the Illinois College Blueboys take on Millikin’s Big Blue. Look for the College’s pop-up tent in the visitor’s designated area near Frank M. Lindsay Field located on Route 36/West Eldorado Street and Oakland Avenue. Paid parking is available in the Kirkland Fine Arts Center lot. For more details on location of our tailgate party, go to the IC Web site: www.ic.edu/alumni.
Be sure to wear you IC spirit wear.
GO BLUEBOYS!!!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
