By John Regenfuss
D3sports.com
With all the hype, fanfare, endless promotion, and heated rhetoric that surrounds the sport, it is easy to forget that football is still just a game. Now and then, an unfortunate and frightening chance event takes place that provides perspective and reminds us all of that fact. One such event happened last weekend in the UW-Eau Claire-UW River Falls matchup.
Blugold linebacker Justin Greenwood was injured in a helmet-to-helmet collision on a kickoff late in the first half. The junior collapsed while leaving the field and was rushed to the hospital. A CAT scan revealed a blood clot on his brain. Greenwood underwent surgery to remedy the problem at Regions Hospital in St. Paul. He is listed in critical condition.
For me, personally, this tragic situation allowed me to gain even further perspective on life. As I read the complete story about Justin in the Eau Claire Leader-Telegram, the details were eerily familiar to me.
When I was a sophomore at Ripon, I was knocked unconscious by a helmet-to-helmet hit while covering the opening kickoff of a game at Lake Forest. At least, that's what my teammates and my family have told me what happened. I, myself to this day, have no recollection of the play. In fact, my first very-sketchy memory of the game comes from the third quarter.
The resulting nausea, headaches, blurred vision, depression, and memory loss have always seemed like a terrible experience. Now, I feel lucky because it could have been much worse. I have always felt bad for myself because that game was supposed to be my first collegiate start and because I believe I was never the same football player for the remainder of my Ripon career. But these days I feel lucky that I was able to play football again.
My best wishes for a speedy and full recovery go out to Justin and my thoughts go out to his immediate family and his UW-Eau Claire football family. Get well soon, Justin.
Reversal of fortunes
UW-Platteville's life on the edge finally worked against it and Augustana's hard luck finally ended in Saturday's matchup between the two teams. Augustana, which had lost its first two games of the year by a total of seven points, slipped by UW-Platteville, which had won its opening games of the season by a total of four points, 27-26. Junior kicker Mike Clark nailed a school-record 54-yard field goal as time expired to lift the Vikings to their first win of the season.
Stout lives up to its name
Perhaps motivated by its three-spot drop in the D3football.com poll and its ridiculous 13-ranking slide in the AFCA poll after last week's road loss at Division II Augustana (S.D.), UW-Stout hammered St. Thomas with a vengeance 51-3. The game was never in doubt for the Blue Devils, as they amassed 412 total yards ... in the first half.
Games of the Week revisited
Two matchups that received recognition as Games of the Week last weekend turned out not to be games at all. UW-Stevens Point embarrassed Division I-AA non-scholarship Butler 56-7, while Millikin steamrolled Anderson, 51-19.
The Pointers' dominating effort was headlined by the all-world performance of quarterback Scott Krause. The Division III leader in pass efficiency, Krause completed 20 of 29 passes for 372 yards and a remarkable seven touchdowns. The Stevens Point defense did its part too, holding the Bulldogs to just 1 yard rushing on 32 attempts and to 140 total yards. In the first quarter, Butler totaled minus-3 yards of offense. Defensive end Craig Johnson had seven tackles and two sacks to lead the unit.
Millikin also used a balanced attack to send Anderson packing. The Big Blue offense rolled up 575 yards of total offense with 276 coming via the pass and 277 tallied on the ground. Receiver Eric Pabon caught six passes for 170 yards. The Millikin defense had a stellar day, intercepting Anderson signal-caller Joel Steele five times. Free safety Derek Stephens collected three of those them.
What's in a name?
Ever wonder how a school decides upon or why it adopts a nickname? I have, and my curiosity about how some of the teams in the Midwest region with unique and unusual nicknames acquired their monikers prompted me search out the truth. What I found was that there is almost always an interesting and revealing tale to be told. First up: the Illinois College Blueboys.
The story of the Blueboys nickname is steeped in heritage and history. The first college in the state of Illinois, Illinois College was founded in 1829 by Ivy Leaguers who moved west to establish universities based in the principles and in the philosophy in which they devoutly believed.
One such fundamental tenet was the abolition of slavery. When the Civil War broke out in 1861, the predominance of Illinois College students took up arms to defend the Union and support the anti-slavery cause. A common nickname for Northern soldiers during the war was derived from the blue uniforms they wore, the Blueboys. After the war was won, veterans returning to campus to resume their studies brought the name back with them. When Illinois College began organized competition in baseball and football late in the century, the Blueboys nickname was unofficially adopted. Ever since, Illinois College players have taken the field proudly representing and honoring the Blueboy name.
Just for fun
From the Midwest Regional report home office located in Bloomington, Ind., my top ten favorite Midwest region helmet logos:
10. St. Norbert: OK, so it's just a plain green 'N' but you can't beat that green and gold color scheme.
9. Concordia (Ill.): A gold dragon-like cougar (I know it sounds strange but it really is), vaguely reminiscent of K-State's wildcat logo.
8. Washington U.: A big gruff bear head in the middle of a huge red 'W'.
7. Anderson: Gets the nod for originality despite the cartoonish-looking raven head; great colors.
6. UW-River Falls: A menacing white falcon outlined in black poised in an attack position.
5. Grinnell: I am not even sure how to describe it, but I like it.
4. Franklin: A very cool looking gold shield with the Franklin 'F' centered; no sign of a Grizzly though.
3. Bluffton: Who knew a beaver, especially a purple one, could look so nasty and intimidating?
2. Beloit: The classic Tampa Bay Buccaneers emblem with navy blue helmets and a gold logo replacing the putrid orange, red, and white. Except that Beloit had the logo first.
1. UW-La Crosse: The head of an eagle inlaid in the maroon La Crosse 'L'; very original and unmistakably recognizable.
If you need to see these for yourself, check out The Helmet Project.
Notes
The CCIW went undefeated for the second consecutive weekend, posting another perfect 7-0 record versus non-conference competition. ... The lone HCAC team to record a victory last weekend (against five losses) was Bluffton; the Beavers were 36-6 winners over first-year program Husson. ... The 54-yard field goal that Augustana's Mike Clark kicked at the end of its contest with UW-Platteville was the second-longest game-winning play in the history of Division III football. ... Elmhurst is 3-0 for the first time since 1985. ... Carthage running back Dante Washington rushed for 262 yards on 24 carries and scored three touchdowns in the Redmen's 56-12 shellacking of Minnesota-Morris. ... The 119 points notched by UW-Stevens Point in its past two games are the most the Pointers have ever scored in consecutive games. ... Luke Bundgaard, already the school's all-time leading rusher, became UW-Stout's all-time leading scorer in the Blue Devils' 51-3 dismantling of St. Thomas. ... After scoring just 27 points in its first three games, Benedictine posted 33 in its 33-25 IBFC win over Greenville. ... Cedric Simmons rushed for 182 yards and Immanuel Mills added 166 more on the ground for Concordia (Wis.) in the Falcons' 42-8 win against Aurora. ... The St. Norbert defense limited Knox to 26 yards of second-half offense in the Green Knights 24-0 blanking of the Prairie Fire. ... Lawrence won its first MWC contest since Oct. 13, 2001, downing Carroll 28-26.
Games of the Week
No. 8 UW-Stevens Point (3-0) at No. 3 UW-La Crosse (3-0), La Crosse, Wis., 1 p.m.: The magnitude of this game in the WIAC race and the playoff picture cannot be overstated. The victor gets a win over one of the league's top teams, gains an early edge in the conference standings, and makes the likelihood of an invitation to the playoffs more assured. UW-L has won three of the last four meetings between the two squads, including a 31-25 victory in 2002. Each team enters the game with sizeable advantages on its side. Stevens Point is brimming with confidence, fresh off a 56-7 pasting of I-AA Butler, while La Crosse has the home-field advantage and has had a week off to prepare for the Pointers.
St. Norbert (4-0, 3-0) at Illinois College (4-0, 3-0), Jacksonville, Ill., 1:30 p.m.: A key matchup of MWC teams with undefeated seasons on the line. Illinois College has a daunting task ahead of itself, playing a St. Norbert team that has dominated the conference in recent years. Home field advantage may help, as the Blueboys have lost close games to St. Norbert the last two times the teams met in Jacksonville. A year ago, IC was crushed by the Green Knights in DePere 60-9. The Blueboys also have something to prove this season, as their four victories have come against weak competition (a combined 3-11 record).
No. 6 Wheaton (3-0) at Elmhurst (3-0), Elmhurst, Ill., 1 p.m.: The CCIW opener for both teams. Wheaton has not performed like world-beaters thus far this season, let alone the No. 6 team in the nation. The Thunder did look improved last weekend, scoring an important 43-26 victory over Hope. Elmhurst has had both its offense and defense firing on all cylinders against questionable competition thus far in 2003, outscoring its first three opponents 123-17. Wheaton has won the last two meetings with Elmhurst in dominating fashion (110-21). The Blue Jays were last victorious in 1999 (22-16).
No. 22 Bethel (4-0, 3-0) at UW-Eau Claire (2-1, 1-0), Eau Claire, Wis., 1 p.m.: Bethel of the MIAC, who looks to be on an unimpeded collision course with No. 2 St. John's in Week 10, may find a bump in the road on the road against Eau Claire of the WIAC. The Royals, who are in the midst of a four-game road stretch, have shown no ill effects of the travel schedule, winning their last two contests 36-19 and 50-6. A second loss by the Blugolds could be a devastating blow to their postseason aspirations, unless they capture the WIAC crown outright. No team with two losses has ever received an at-large bid to the playoffs. UW-EC is currently alone atop of the WIAC standings, after its 42-28 Week 3 win over River Falls.
MacMurray (2-1, 1-0) at Lakeland (3-1, 1-0), Sheboygan, Wis., 1:30 p.m.: The day of reckoning for the 2003 season is at hand for a MacMurray squad that been unimpressive in its first three games. The Highlanders have been the class of the IBFC the past two seasons, but this may be the week that the power shifts. Lakeland has played well this year, losing only to UW-Oshkosh on the road in a four-overtime heartbreaker. The Muskies last beat MacMurray in 2000, by a score of 26-14.
No. 11 UW-Stout (2-1) at UW-Oshkosh (3-0), Oshkosh, Wis., 1 p.m.: Receives mention because Oshkosh is unbeaten and Stout is nationally ranked and a WIAC favorite. This game will most likely reveal the Titans as a league pretender or contender. Stout cannot afford another loss this season, especially to a WIAC foe.
