College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW)-(NCAA Division III)
Overview: After winning their first-ever NCAA Division III national championship in 2019, the North Central College Cardinals found themselves sitting out the entire 2020 season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, as they were one of six squads to sit out the shortened spring season.
However, the Cardinals bounced back in a big way in the fall of 2021, as they cruised through an undefeated regular season at 10-0 overall en route to the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) championship at 9-0 in conference play. They advanced to the Stagg Bowl for the second straight season and saw their hopes for back-to-back national championships dashed by Mary Hardin-Baylor in a 57-24 setback on December 17. North Central finished its season at 13-1 overall after losing to UMHB.
The only other CCIW squad to advance to postseason play last season was the Wheaton College Thunder. The Thunder's only regular season loss came to the Cardinals in a 20-7 setback on September 18 to finish at 8-1 in conference play and at 9-1 overall. After annihilating Aurora in the first round of the D-III playoffs, Wheaton's season came to a heartbreaking end in the second round, as Central rallied in the closing seconds to win 30-28 on November 27. The Thunder finished 2021 at 10-2 overall after losing to the Dutch.
With the 2022 season fast approaching, expect another two-team race for the CCIW crown between North Central and Wheaton, with the Cardinals and Thunder, ranked both #2 and #8, respectively, in the d3football.com preseason poll.
2022 Schedules (Teams are listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and more.
Augustana (Ill.)
Carroll (Wis.)
Carthage
Elmhurst
Illinois Wesleyan
Millikin
North Central
North Park
Washington (Mo.)
Wheaton
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
2022 Schedules (Teams are listed in alphabetical order, click the links below to access to find the schedules)
NOTE: If the link to the team's schedule is not highlighted, the team has not submitted its schedule for the 2022 season. When the team's schedule is submitted, the link (s) will appear in each blog post. Also, please visit the RFC blog at realfootballcentral.blogspot.com for schedules, schedule updates, preseason previews, and more.
Augustana (Ill.)
Carroll (Wis.)
Carthage
Elmhurst
Illinois Wesleyan
Millikin
North Central
North Park
Washington (Mo.)
Wheaton
Follow RFC on Twitter @realfootball.
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