FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

You'd be the first person to say that -- everyone else, Johnnie fans included, knows that UWW would have won that game regardless.

Remember, five of the eight fumbles were forced. It's not as if SJU simply laid the ball on the turf eight times. And how about four shots from the 5-yard line and not a yard gained, including three passes broken up? How about one scoring "drive" of 24 yards?

[Foss]

bulk19, thanks for the response. I see no one else really wanted to weigh in.

I'm trying to keep this on football guys. You may not want to believe it, but many out here think this UWW team may be the toughest opponent we've faced the past two seasons. No one goes through your conference unscathed and beats St. Johns by 4 TDs unless they are extremely talented on both sides of the ball. I'm just trying to understand why the Warhawks are so much better than last year. And how this team compares to other recent WIAC champs. Some of you guys have been around for a while and I'd be interested in knowing if you think they're the best WIAC team you've seen in 5-10 years and if so why.

[voice]

Actually SJUumpire, we have a very rich tradition of football at UW-Whitewater, but obviously Coach Berezowitz was reading all the boastful posts saying that the WIAC was far inferior to the Johnnies.  When his team beat SJU 34-7, obviously it ranks as the greatest win in school history!  Then again, maybe we were just lucky?

[voice]

Foss,

It is hard to compare teams of one year to the next, however UWW statistically has been multi-demensionallly dominating this year.  It seems like they have a pretty good package, including offense (rushing and pass game) and defense (ask SJU). It is a very confident team and is primed and ready to take on Linfield on Saturday. Will they win?  Who knows, however I'm confident that the game will live up to its billing.

[footballfan413]

bulk19, thanks for the response. I see no one else really wanted to weigh in.

I'm trying to keep this on football guys. You may not want to believe it, but many out here think this UWW team may be the toughest opponent we've faced the past two seasons. No one goes through your conference unscathed and beats St. Johns by 4 TDs unless they are extremely talented on both sides of the ball. I'm just trying to understand why the Warhawks are so much better than last year. And how this team compares to other recent WIAC champs. Some of you guys have been around for a while and I'd be interested in knowing if you think they're the best WIAC team you've seen in 5-10 years and if so why.

Foss, I will confirm what Voice has said.  Last year UWW had a very powerful running game but that was not enough with some teams.  It was way too one-dimensional and there were a few games that they never should have lost.  In many games, our very good defense had to keep us in games when the offense was inconsistant.  This year with a more seasoned offense, a healthy Beaver, and more time together to gel, their passing game has exploded and we are now seeing the results of a terrific TWO-dimensional offense.  Defenses never know what they are going to see!  The talent was there last year but it needed time to mature and more time to develop the chemistry that we have this year.  We are, in general, a young team!!

[warhawkexpress28]

WW is better this year because of the fact that they started alot of soph on the O last year and only lost two starts on that side of the ball, FB and WR which they haved filled very nicely if you havent noticed.  On D, I would be have to say that the scheme that Coach Borland comes up with make up for a very inexperience D that graduated 7 starters from last year.  The scare thing is that they will only be losing 6 of the 22 starters after this year. and only 2 on O

[three3s]

The real big difference from last year to this year is the development of our offense.  If we would have had the production last year that they are having this year it would have been really hard to beat us.  Unfortunately that is not how it went.  If you go back and look at the stat line from last year they were horrible in being consistent.  The only thing we were sure of every Saturday was that Burns was going to be our work horse, and get at least 25-30 carries.  If they stopped him our defense was expected to win the games for us.  The talent was always there but the maturity and growth was not.  All though at times we may fall back in to the usual play calling of last year.  Our offense has held there own every time they touch the ball.  They gave themselves the opportunity to score on most drives. They have utilized their big play ability, and because of that they are 12-0.  Our defensive coach (Borland) has found ways to use his best athletes and cover up any gaps left from last years graduates.  So the reason for the emergence of WW is the growth of our offense and trust of Coach Z (offensive cord) 

As for the statement about St. John losing the game, not WW winning it; I am not sure if you were at the game or you have family involved in the game so you are a little partial to them.  But any sane person saw that St. Johns was simply out matched on that day.  Who cares what could have happened if they played 10 other times. All the half time game planning that everyone talked about was ineffective?  WW is simply a great team and the Johnnies are inferior.  Sorry!

[WSUFan]

Awesome job Saturday by the Warhawks. The defense did an incredible job and they did a good job of capitalizing off those turnovers turning them into points. Congrats, but it's time to get down to business preparing for next weeks game.

[padmofu]

I really hope Linfield's fans won't be as sore at losing as SJUumpire. At least WIAC fans can admit when we're playing out of our league. I know you Linfielders like to jaw when you're winning. Hopefully you're gracious in defeat. GO HAWKS

[bluenote]

...and hopefully you will be too. 

[D O.C.]

If he was really put in the North bracket would he send that message to the MUC folk?

[bulk19]

Foss-
I sort of took care of the basics as far as how this conference shakes out each year. Good to see some actual Warhawks fans have stepped up to give you more details about the team...

My team plays in the WIAC, and I based my opinions on the Warhawks mainly on that game, when Whitewater dominated and totally frustrated UW-Eau Claire, 28-7. I also base my comments on watching this conference for nearly 35 years...

This Hawks team is special, and balanced on both sides of the ball. Somewhere I read or heard they are nearly 50-50 run/pass, so you don't know what is coming.

Also, this conference is usually somewhat smash-mouth, but this Whitewater team has quickness and speed, too. I'm not sure I've seen that in the WIAC in a while...

I was impressed when I saw Linfield in Wisconsin two seasons ago when they played Stevens Point, which was a much better team that year than the one they fielded this year against the 'Cats. But two years ago, the Pointers had a the 'Cats down 21-18 at half and 35-25 after three.

Then some kid named Elliott threw three TDs in the fourth quarter to pull out a 45-35 win. Ha. Had six in all that day, and 480 yards passing. He must throw TD passes in his sleep!   Quite impressed was I.

I'll be rooting for UW-Whitewater, who may have had the school's biggest W in football history against the Johnnies. But I'm sure they aren't satisfied yet, realize they stilll have work to do, and can make this season even better...

But to be the best, they'll have to beat the best... And right now that is still Linfield. Here's hoping it's a whale of a ball game!

[Johnnie Red]

Congrats to the Warhawks on their win Saturday. Great community, college and stadium. You should be proud!

I would strongly encourage Warhawk fans to make the trip to McMinnville if possible. Go a few days early and take in the wineries in the Willamette Valley. Hit the Elks Club in downtown McMinnville Friday night and have a few beers with the Wildcat fans. CatDome is quite the place for football. Best of luck to a very impressive team.

[BDB]

Foss,

  I think the difference between this years WIAC champs and those of recent years is overall  great team speed.

  That is why the Warhawks are serious contenders to win the whole thing.

[footballfan413]

Congrats to the Warhawks on their win Saturday. Great community, college and stadium. You should be proud!

I would strongly encourage Warhawk fans to make the trip to McMinnville if possible. Go a few days early and take in the wineries in the Willamette Valley. Hit the Elks Club in downtown McMinnville Friday night and have a few beers with the Wildcat fans. CatDome is quite the place for football. Best of luck to a very impressive team.

Thanks so much for the info and teriffic congratulations!  I'll be there but will be a little nervous to hit the Elks Club, however, and mix it up with the Cat fans!!  Unless Brett will be there!!  Love to buy him a beer!!!
Just kidding guys, I know he'll be eating his plate of Carbs and hitting the sack early!  I love impressive football talent no matter which side they play for!