FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[warhawkbabe]

I understand the start of deer hunting,and the cold weather, as well as the first and second rounds o the playos can be blow outs. However DLK and student lie bought a large number of tickets that students could get or free. So the students can go get tickets from DLK or the ofice of student life for FREE.
So I do not see the price of tickets for a reason for students not to show up. I know this next weekend will be worse with no classes thursday and friday and for the most part wednesday. I am not coming because I am going to the Badger game to watch them win and clinch a birth in the rose bowl. Otherwise I would be at the perk and fork over four bucks to park and ten bucks to watch the game, as it's always fun to watch your alma mater play even if it's freezing outside.

[badgerwarhawk]

However DLK and student lie bought a large number of tickets that students could get or free. So the students can go get tickets from DLK or the ofice of student life for FREE.

I think the total number of free tickets available was 200.   

[02 Warhawk]

Comparing opponent's national ranks (through 11/13)

                          Trine                         Franklin
Rushing Off.              11th                          77th
Passing Off.              39th                           7th
Total Off.                    2nd                           7th

Rushing Def.              32nd                           7th
Passing Def.              42nd                           58th
Total Def.                   31st                            11th

QB Eff.                        2nd                           1st

Conference Rank         21st                           20th

Looks like Trine has been putting up impressive offensive numbers just like Franklin. However, Trine seems to be a very good running team that has a very efficient passing offense (remind you of any team in SE Wisconsin   ). Trine's Eric Watt is the second ranked passer in the country, hopefully the secondary gained valuable experience after facing the highest rated passer in the DIII.

I'm hoping UWW's strength in defending the run neutralizes Trine's ability to run the ball. Also, judging by the numbers, UWW should have a little better time running the ball this weekend, compared to last. I didn't realize Franklin had a top-10 run defense, but after the first half on Saturday I shouldn't be surprised.

Common opponent:

UWW @ UWRF   63-14
Trine @ UWRF    35-14

[BoBo]

^ I watched that River Falls/Trine game on video. It was tied at the half at 14. It was only a 1 score game at the end of three. Similar, I guess, to the Ohio Northern game in that regard. Two fourth quarter TD's made the margin a 35-14 final. It was 21-14 and RF's was on a 14 play drive at the end of the 3rd quarter that carried over to the beginning of the fourth. It started on their 23 and they were at the Trine 17 when a penalty halted their advance. The Falcons turned the ball over on downs after two incomplete passes on 3rd and 4th downs. Trine took over; like lightning, the Thunder's first play was a 60 yard run - 2 plays later they scored. After a 3 and out by River Falls, the Thunder scored again with 5 minutes remaining for the final margin. River Falls had another three and out and Trine ran out the clock. River Falls couldn't finish the way they started. Taylor Edwards ran for over 160 yards on the day - Trine had 5 ball carriers with over 40 yards. The QB Eric Watt, only completed 11 passes, but 3 went for TD's. RF actually led in TOP. It was the third game of the season - Sept 18th.

[BoBo]

Why did Tri-State change their name to Trine? Is the name Trine the result of some kind of corporate naming rights? Is the name Trine an amalgamated name? If so, what? Was it named after a big financial donor? Just a little curious. Anybody know?

http://www.trine.edu/wearetrine/index.cfm

I guess that explains it...they are on their way to establishing the reputation they were searching for "as a premier, private institution." The name Tri-State did sound like the name of a truck dealership or transmission repair business. Not sure they needed to hire a marketing firm to point that out, though!!   

[emma17]

Some observations of the game:
-I didn't feel that UWW came out "flat".  I feel the offense was initially conservative to give Brekke some time to get comfortable.  The Franklin D proved to be more formidable than I expected and they loaded up to stop the run. 
-As great as Brekke played, I see the big difference in the two is Blanchard's athleticism.  Although Blanchard hasn' run much this year, when he has run, he's kept the chains moving. The threat of the QB run is almost as valuable as the actual run.
-I don't think the defense played poorly as much as they simply needed to adjust to a very talented spread offense that did NOT huddle.  Franklin ran 90+ plays (with less time of possession than UWW), and I believe most/all were from no huddle.  It's tough for a defense and a coaching staff to adjust on the fly like that.  Because of this, I was impressed with the way the D responded in game.  I hope the safeties stay deeper against Trine.
-As has happened so many times this year, UWW eventually wears their opponents down.  As much as it would be nice to jump out to early leads, I don't think UWW is that sort of team this year.  They have a 60 minute game plan and they don't make risky decisions early in the game that could backfire and give the opponent momentum. 
I have learned patience in watching this year's team, and it makes the second half worth staying for. 


     

[Raider 68]

Who is going to be the QB for UWW vs. Trine? If Blanchard could have played, why didn't he? Was he "available" to play, but better to rest him?

[emma17]

Who is going to be the QB for UWW vs. Trine? If Blanchard could have played, why didn't he? Was he "available" to play, but better to rest him?

I certainly don't have inside scoop, but it seems to me UWW decided they would only play Blanchard if they felt he was absolutely needed.  I wouldn't be surprised if the same thing happens against Trine as long as the rest will prove beneficial to Blanchard.  If this is the case, hopefully the team comes out with great confidence given Brekke's performance.

I noticed Covington didn't play either.  I thought he was just about ready to come back.  Maybe they are doing the same with him?

[MasterJedi]

Who is going to be the QB for UWW vs. Trine? If Blanchard could have played, why didn't he? Was he "available" to play, but better to rest him?

From what I remember Blanchard came in and handed off the ball three times. So I think he could have played last week but I wanted him to rest. So as far as I can tell at least Blanchard will be starting next week.

[BoBo]

^ The $64,000 question.

Raider, JMO, but could have played is different than needed to play. It sounded like Blanchard took part in pre-game warm-ups, but still had discomfort in the hand/thumb or whatever the problem was. I might have reason to believe that he wasn't 100% healthy on saturday OR the coaches had confidence in Brekke's week of preparation OR it would be better to hold Blanchard out, as long as Brekke was successful. Maybe the risk of further injury was greater if Blanchard played knowing he had a problem than the risk of losing the game in the coaches thinking. Since Brekke performed very well and had success, we may never know what the coaches might have done if the results were not going so well. It's true from all those watching, whether in person or on video that the Warhawks had a rough start, but they never trailed in the game. And Brekke was not doing anything carelessly (meaning no turnovers). Hopefully, another week of recuperation will completely heal the injury and Blanchard can return to his former position. If not, Warhawk fans know what Brekke brings to the game and are confident in his ability to lead the Warhawks to the next round against whoever that might be, Ohio Northern or NCC.

[BoBo]

Some observations of the game:
-I didn't feel that UWW came out "flat".  I feel the offense was initially conservative to give Brekke some time to get comfortable.  The Franklin D proved to be more formidable than I expected and they loaded up to stop the run.  
-As great as Brekke played, I see the big difference in the two is Blanchard's athleticism.  Although Blanchard hasn' run much this year, when he has run, he's kept the chains moving. The threat of the QB run is almost as valuable as the actual run.
-I don't think the defense played poorly as much as they simply needed to adjust to a very talented spread offense that did NOT huddle.  Franklin ran 90+ plays (with less time of possession than UWW), and I believe most/all were from no huddle.  It's tough for a defense and a coaching staff to adjust on the fly like that.  Because of this, I was impressed with the way the D responded in game.  I hope the safeties stay deeper against Trine.
-As has happened so many times this year, UWW eventually wears their opponents down.  As much as it would be nice to jump out to early leads, I don't think UWW is that sort of team this year.  They have a 60 minute game plan and they don't make risky decisions early in the game that could backfire and give the opponent momentum.  
I have learned patience in watching this year's team, and it makes the second half worth staying for.  

A couple things I noticed:

1. In passing attempts, Brekke held on to the ball longer that Blanchard. The end result, more sacks. Blanchard would have taken off running much quicker. However, the one play he did run stood out with me. He took off running on the FC side of the field, going toward the south end zone. It might have been a 2nd down and long. He had a chance to run safely to the boundary, but would have been short of the first because of the position of the FC defender. Instead, he turned up field and dove for the first down on a great individual play (had no help in the immediate area). I think they scored on the 23 yard pass to Rusch later in that drive. The FC QB Ray was very good, but his receivers dropped a lot of what should've been easy catches. However, when you look closer at the video, he threw many wobbly passes, Billy Kilmer-style. His receivers had a hard time with those. Brekke threw a much prettier ball, tight spirals.

2. Both are very accurate. In the TD passes to Rusch in the south end zone and the both in the north end zone (especially the one toward the corner) Brekke showed very good touch, and threw a ball that was easy to catch. He put them in a location that only the receiver could reach.

3.  We should  have been used to the up-tempo offensive. We just played Oshkosh a couple weeks ago. FC was slow compared to the Titans on offense, IMO. The Warhawks seemed to shuffle players in and out constantly and many times were not set when FC snapped the ball.

[BoBo]

A little scoreboard watching on the national football playoff pickem reveals the following WIAC stars of Round 1 (I apologize for missing anybody w/o a recognizable handle):

bleedpurple 16-0 (1 of 16 with a perfect score)
KitchenSink 15-1 
02 Warhawk 15-1
...
....
.....
& not making the scoreboard...
BoBo 14-2

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

A little scoreboard watching on the national football playoff pickem reveals the following WIAC stars of Round 1 (I apologize for missing anybody w/o a recognizable handle):

bleedpurple 16-0 (1 of 16 with a perfect score)
KitchenSink 15-1 
02 Warhawk 15-1
...
....
.....
& not making the scoreboard...
BoBo 14-2

Kirasdad (Manuel Willocq) & HSCoach 16-0!!   

[BoBo]

^ I left you off the list of "WIAC stars" on purpose. I would consider you and HScoach 'Highly Respected Contributors!' 

[KitchenSink]

Highly respected contributors?

Or more like cousin Eddie to the Griswold's???