FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

Rosholt really wanted to punt - loved the LL comment in the post game :

(paraphrasing) The only guy who doesn't deserve to letter is the punter!!

[BoBo]

today's triple take:

Most likely Top 25 team to get upset:
Keith's take: No. 1 UW-Whitewater. Okay, so they're technically the least likely top 25 team to be upset, but if it's going to happen before the Stagg Bowl, this Saturday is likely as any. UW-Eau Claire is 3-2 and doesn't stand out statistically, but they've played St. John's, No. 7 North Central and UW-Stevens Point already, so they've proven they can stand up with top Division III talent. If the Blugolds can hang close to the almighty Warhawks, they might fare well; UW-EC beat the Johnnies and Pointers in overtime. Plus, the state's pride, the Badgers, kick off later in the evening, which means any football fan near Eau Claire can come out to Carson Park to give the Blugolds a raucous home atmosphere.

Which team will be affected the most by injury?
Pat's take: UW-Whitewater. The Wisconsin State Journal report regarding the status of running backs Levell Coppage and Booker Stanley gives pause. That still leaves Antwan Anderson — you remember him, he rushed for 1,213 yards in 2008 — but that's not the same as having three guys who could rush for 100 yards at the drop of a hat.

With Anderson and UWW's line...i don't think the running game with be affected at all.

What did we learn today?

1.  Eau Claire is a kitty cat in wolves clothes - Warhawks made them look soft in every facet of the game.
2.  Don't always believe what is written in newspapers. Coppage looked fine, made all his runs look effortless. From what I read, too, I was surprised.
3.  Badgers off to a good start, too!!  
4.  Kindler gets player of the game award for his perseverance. Way to stick with it...hope a new trend has been established and we can try to think up a different weakness to this team. Plus 3 touchbacks on KO's.
5.  The long drive the morning of the game seemed to tire Eau Claire more. The EC TV announcers (who by the way were way to funny all day) said the EC defense looked gassed and the 2nd quarter was just starting.
6.  One of the real factors that make these Whitewater teams so good, besides the line play, is the sharp, crisp tackling technique. Again today, EC got nothing after first contact. A microcosm of the day was when Samplawski (sp), the smallest guy on the field, literally picked up the EC ball carrier and took him out of bounds towards the end of the game.
7.  Ask bleedpurple about the guy making the amazing prediction on the in-game update board today!!!        

[bleedpurple]

today's triple take:

Most likely Top 25 team to get upset:
Keith's take: No. 1 UW-Whitewater. Okay, so they're technically the least likely top 25 team to be upset, but if it's going to happen before the Stagg Bowl, this Saturday is likely as any. UW-Eau Claire is 3-2 and doesn't stand out statistically, but they've played St. John's, No. 7 North Central and UW-Stevens Point already, so they've proven they can stand up with top Division III talent. If the Blugolds can hang close to the almighty Warhawks, they might fare well; UW-EC beat the Johnnies and Pointers in overtime. Plus, the state's pride, the Badgers, kick off later in the evening, which means any football fan near Eau Claire can come out to Carson Park to give the Blugolds a raucous home atmosphere.

Which team will be affected the most by injury?
Pat's take: UW-Whitewater. The Wisconsin State Journal report regarding the status of running backs Levell Coppage and Booker Stanley gives pause. That still leaves Antwan Anderson — you remember him, he rushed for 1,213 yards in 2008 — but that's not the same as having three guys who could rush for 100 yards at the drop of a hat.

With Anderson and UWW's line...i don't think the running game with be affected at all.

What did we learn today?

1.  Eau Claire is a kitty cat in wolves clothes - Warhawks made them look soft in every facet of the game.
2.  Don't always believe what is written in newspapers. Coppage looked fine, made all his runs look effortless. From what I read, too, I was surprised.
3.  Badgers off to a good start, too!!  
4.  Kindler gets player of the game award for his perseverance. Way to stick with it...hope a new trend has been established and we can try to think up a different weakness to this team. Plus 3 touchbacks on KO's.
5.  The long drive the morning of the game seemed to tire Eau Claire more. The EC TV announcers (who by the way were way to funny all day) said the EC defense looked gassed and the 2nd quarter was just starting.
6.  One of the real factors that make these Whitewater teams so good, besides the line play, is the sharp, crisp tackling technique. Again today, EC got nothing after first contact. A microcosm of the day was when Samplawski (sp), the smallest guy on the field, literally picked up the EC ball carrier and took him out of bounds towards the end of the game.
7.  Ask bleedpurple about the guy making the amazing prediction on the in-game update board today!!!        

5:44 PM
Bobo:
"I sense a defensive touchdown"

5:45 PM
Matt McCulloch 42 yard interception return for a TD.   

[BoBo]

today's triple take:

Most likely Top 25 team to get upset:
Keith's take: No. 1 UW-Whitewater. Okay, so they're technically the least likely top 25 team to be upset, but if it's going to happen before the Stagg Bowl, this Saturday is likely as any. UW-Eau Claire is 3-2 and doesn't stand out statistically, but they've played St. John's, No. 7 North Central and UW-Stevens Point already, so they've proven they can stand up with top Division III talent. If the Blugolds can hang close to the almighty Warhawks, they might fare well; UW-EC beat the Johnnies and Pointers in overtime. Plus, the state's pride, the Badgers, kick off later in the evening, which means any football fan near Eau Claire can come out to Carson Park to give the Blugolds a raucous home atmosphere.

Which team will be affected the most by injury?
Pat's take: UW-Whitewater. The Wisconsin State Journal report regarding the status of running backs Levell Coppage and Booker Stanley gives pause. That still leaves Antwan Anderson — you remember him, he rushed for 1,213 yards in 2008 — but that's not the same as having three guys who could rush for 100 yards at the drop of a hat.

With Anderson and UWW's line...i don't think the running game with be affected at all.

What did we learn today?

1.  Eau Claire is a kitty cat in wolves clothes - Warhawks made them look soft in every facet of the game.
2.  Don't always believe what is written in newspapers. Coppage looked fine, made all his runs look effortless. From what I read, too, I was surprised.
3.  Badgers off to a good start, too!!  
4.  Kindler gets player of the game award for his perseverance. Way to stick with it...hope a new trend has been established and we can try to think up a different weakness to this team. Plus 3 touchbacks on KO's.
5.  The long drive the morning of the game seemed to tire Eau Claire more. The EC TV announcers (who by the way were way to funny all day) said the EC defense looked gassed and the 2nd quarter was just starting.
6.  One of the real factors that make these Whitewater teams so good, besides the line play, is the sharp, crisp tackling technique. Again today, EC got nothing after first contact. A microcosm of the day was when Samplawski (sp), the smallest guy on the field, literally picked up the EC ball carrier and took him out of bounds towards the end of the game.
7.  Ask bleedpurple about the guy making the amazing prediction on the in-game update board today!!!        

5:44 PM
Bobo:
"I sense a defensive touchdown"

5:45 PM
Matt McCulloch 42 yard interception return for a TD.   

I have to admit, that was one call for the ages - I think I'll quit making predictions from here on out!!   

[BoBo]

At least one person didn't like it, though   

[bleedpurple]

Dominating performance by UW-W today.  Huge effort by the defense! 150 yards and 6 first downs!  

Amazing stat of the day:

UW-EC ran FOUR plays originating in UW-W territory the whole game.

1. 2nd quarter- 1st and 10 on UW-W 38: 3 yard gain and lost fumble.
2. 3rd quarter- 2nd and 7 on UW-W 48: incomplete pass.
3. 3rd quarter: 3rd and 7 on UW-W 48: QB sack, loss of 1.
4. 3rd quarter: 4th and 8 on UW-W: 49: Punt

Four plays. Two total yards . 1 turnover. 1 Punt. That is the total production of the UW-EC offense in plays originating in UW-W territory.

[MasterJedi]

Great win by UWW today! I was absolutly shocked at how badly EC played today, it's like they just didn't want to play and accepted the loss before the game began. I expect nothing less, and probably an even bigger slaughter next week against River Falls. Then I'm looking forward to Steven's Point coming to town for the second year of revenge![/evil face]

In other news, anything on the Oshkosh score? I can't find anything anywhere. I also had a feeling Platteville would win, but I went with my head in the pick em and picked Lax. And with Stout losing today I believe the rest of the WIAC played its way out of a playoff appearance. I thought Stout could win out and get in too though, too bad, they are a good team.

[bashbrother]

Nice win for Wisconsin football tonight!

Way to go Badgers!

[Pat Coleman]

Coppage might have looked "fine," BoBo, but he was not 100 percent, and that was clear. What he did Saturday without being able/willing to cut back or have his usual burst is a testament to the UWW offensive line, which did wonders for him.

[BoBo]

Absolutely - 100% agree

What are you initial thoughts of the game, besides Coppage and the o-line?

Or do we have to wait for the podcast? 

[GBMAN]

Awesome win Hawks......

[Pat Coleman]

Absolutely - 100% agree

What are you initial thoughts of the game, besides Coppage and the o-line?

Or do we have to wait for the podcast? 

Well, clearly the defense isn't the issue, at least not the front seven. I don't think EC gave the UWW secondary much of a test. Otherwise yes, probably have to wait for the podcast and I got audio from a couple of people so I figure at least one will end up in the podcast.

[Barber Greene]

Booker Stanley was dressed for the game today...maybe he will play next week

[Barber Greene]

Joel Sweeney was a non-factor for EC today...didn't play much

[BoBo]

Barry Alvarez delivered a 15-minute talk to the Badger team earlier this week prior to the Ohio State game. Part of his speech went like this:

"There can't be one person who takes the field who doesn't believe that you're going to win. You have to believe that.

"I've always had this theory -- playing at Nebraska and coaching at Notre Dame and when we were really good at Iowa and really good here – you have a mental edge when you take the field.

"Because there are guys on that other team that don't think they're going to beat you. Because all it takes is one guy.

"There will be times when he is put in position to make a play and he'll miss a play and that will cost you a game. So every person who takes the field has to believe that they're going to win the game."

Carpe diem

[IMHO] After watching the game from Eau Claire today, there were, well let's say, a large number of the EC roster that fell into that category of players BA talked about - players who didn't think they were going to beat Whitewater today. They look totally under-prepared and didn't show much effort. I don't know what else to say, it was one of the most lopsided WIAC conference games I have seen in a long time. It was kinda fun to watch if you were a Warhawk fan, but I'm sure the Eau Claire fans didn't think do. The Warhawks continue to do well in all facets, and now that the the kicking game is on an up-swing, things are looking quite nicely as the second half of the season has started. The only people who had a worse game than the Blugolds on the field were the Blugolds in the press box.. I listened mostly to voice and Gary, but when I did listen to the TV broadcast, those two guys were saying some of the funniest stuff I've ever heard on college television - I'd give them an A for effort & enthusiasm, but about a D for football knowledge. voice - hope your throat is feeling better - thought we were about to lose you, buddy!!  

EDIT: I'm not in any way trying to diminish the job the Warhawks did today. Much of the problems the 'golds encountered was inflicted by a completely dominating 'hawk presence. Just that EC didn't do anything to live up to their advanced billing.