By Clyde Hughes
D3sports.com

Pete Ittersagen said he loves playing in the big games and for Wheaton College, there was none bigger than last year’s second round playoff game against defending national champion Mount Union.

Ittersagen, Wheaton’s honorable mention All-American cornerback, though, wasn’t there for much of the contest. On the second defensive play of the game for the Thunder, his right ankle was violently twisted on a tackle, shattering the bone, tearing the tendons, leading to major surgery.

Pete Ittersagen leads Wheaton in tackles (19), passes broken up (seven) and interceptions (three). Photo by Josh Bowerman, D3sports.com

The junior said he was upset about missing the biggest game of the year, but the question loomed of being able to come back from that injury to play again. He was team’s top punt returner, earning that position earlier in the season with his speed and agility. He was also the team’s top cornerback, a position where speed and the ability to change directions and pivot are absolutely crucial to keep up with speedy receivers.

After three interceptions and a 73-yard punt return for a touchdown already in the first month of the season, it seems questions about Ittersagen’s injury are a distant memory, helping undefeated Wheaton to a 3-0 record and No. 7 national ranking.

“I’m feeling really good back there returning,” said Ittersagen this week. “We have really good unit and all I’m trying to do is get the ball in my hands and try to make plays. We put a big emphasis on special teams here and it’s a huge component of the game and I’m just trying to do my job on that unit.”

Ittersagen admits doubts have a way of playing head games with the best of players, but he said he had several guardian angels around him during his recovery phrase.

“I’d be a liar to say there wasn’t a little doubt about me coming back to full strength,” Ittersagen said. “I had some good physical trainers who really watched over me and made sure I was doing the right things. Spring ball was tough because I saw limited action. For me it was a long process but by July I was feeling pretty confident.”

Wheaton coach Mike Swider said he was always confident that Ittersagen would overcome the injury, but he has been very pleased with his corner’s early play.

“He busted it up pretty good and it was pretty severe deal,” Swider said of the injury. “He has come back and is playing exceedingly well. He’s returning punts, playing corner. He’s had two punt returns for touchdowns, but one was called back.”

Swider said Ittersagen’s ability to return punts has added a special dimension to what Wheaton can do.

“He was a two-way player in high school and we knew he could do great things with his hands on the football,” Swider said. “It was a way to get his hands on the football as a sophomore more. “

Ittersagen said the punt returning provided a little of an “offensive fix” since he was not a full-time defensive player.

“As a defensive guy, you don’t get your hands on the ball that much,” Ittersagen said, who had played wide receiver and slot in high school. “I wanted to touch the ball and get a chance to create some big play opportunities for our team. I get to touch it about four times a game on punt returns. Every punt is potential a big play.”

But Ittersagen spent time given credit to his blockers and coaches for putting them in the right position and considers his returns as simply one of the roles on the punt return team. He said he hopes that role can come in handy in helping Wheaton win the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin title outright this year and return to the playoffs.

“For me, (last year) was a tough ending,” Ittersagen said. “You look forward to playing the best possible team and beating the best. Mount Union was the best team and I was excited for that opportunity. It was definitely a tough thing to swallow. It makes you more hungry and work harder to reach that point and hope to give yourself in another opportunity to be in that position.”

Swider said each game in the CCIW will present a challenge for Wheaton with No. 25 North Central, along with Augustana, Elmhurst and Carthage all receiving votes for the Top 25. He said it will take a team effort to return to the playoffs.

The Thunder has already seen a championship effort by Ittersagen just to return onto the field at full strength.

Surprise in IBC

There is probably no surprise to see defending champion Concordia (Wis.) sitting on top of the Illini-Badger Conference, but the Falcons’ company is a bit more unusual. Concordia (Ill.) share the top spot with the other Corcordia after a 21-10 win against Benedictine this weekend, to move to 2-2 for the season.

Could there be a change afoot in River Forest, Ill. under second-year coach Lonnie Pries? If Concordia beats Eureka on Saturday, it will be the first time the Cougars would have won more than two games in a season since 1992 when Concordia went 5-5.

Now, if Concordia really gets greedy and wins six games, it will be the first time it has had a winning record since 1987 when the Cougars went 7-2.

Manchester makes a move

Manchester is also looking to shake new life into its program with a 2-1 start. The Spartans have not won more than two games in a season since 1997 when they went 6-4. Manchester will try to get that third win Saturday at Defiance and then will play homecoming the following week against winless Bluffton.

Manchester has beaten Earlham 27-14 and Hiram 54-14 and narrowly lost to Tri-State 14-9.

Coach Shannon Griffith took over the program in the 2004 season. Manchester has gone 0-10, 2-8 and 1-9 since in those three seasons.

Other games to watch

After the CCIW went 16-8 (.667) against non-conference opponents this season, now they will start to eat their own. The biggest game in that conference this Saturday will be Carthage at Elmhurst. Both teams are 3-0 and will be fighting to keep a leg up early in the CCIW race. Carthage leads the series between the two teams 33-21-1.

Touchdown maker

Ripon quarterback Tygh Walters accounted for six touchdowns, throwing for four and running for two more, in Ripon’s 48-17 victory over Illinois College in Midwest Conference action last week as the Red Hawks improves to 3-0 in conference play and 3-1 for the season. Walters continues to be the MWC’s passing efficiency leader with a rating of 228.4. He will try to give another big effort this Saturday at home against Carroll (2-2).