FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[oshfb]

I was very dissapointed, but proud to be a Titan on Saturday afternoon. They played a great game. My thoughts on the game:

- UWW's OL looked smaller than I remember in the past.
- UWO's DL was able to stay gap disciplined for the majority of the game and really limited the UWW run game
- UWO was most successful running the option out of the inverted wishbone in the first half (thanks O'Grady).
- UWO seldom pressed the UWW secondary by passing downfield. Seemed UWW could be attacked in that fashion.
- Coppage was held to under 90yds rushing until he broke off his 40ish yd run with under 2 min left in the game
- UWO could not stop Blanchard from running. He was the leading rusher until Coppage's long run.
- Overton got hurt after selling out to prevent a TD run...impressive play. I thought immediately he suffered a concussion on the play.
- Wara seemed to be off on his passing this day...missing easy passes in the flats, etc. He was not pressed by UWW's DL on those passes.
- 2 timeouts on UWW's last drive were worthy, IMHO. 1 due to a player unable to get off the field and 1 seemed related to defensive alignment pre-snap.
- UWO had an impressive goal line stand to hold UWW to a FG on their last possession (from within the 5yd line).
- Surprised UWO ran a dive then called an immediate timeout to start their last drive. I know UWO ran a dive for 70ish yds in 1st half though
- Surprised attendance was listed as 3,863. I thought there was double that in the stadium
- I think the incident with the UWO mother was heat of the moment. I thought fans were respectful on both sides.
- UWO seemed to have played much more poorly with fundamentals against Mount. I wouldn't put much stock in the differences of like opponent scores.

OSHFB

For what it is worth, last year's UWW offensive line averaged 289 lbs and 2011 averages 287 lbs.   They might be slightly shorter, but I think the OSHFB, defensive line was very tall and according to several UWW linemen, strong!  So maybe it is not so much UWW being smaller as UWO being bigger.

Also, UWO did a great job with being gap disciplined and again running a 3-5 a majority of the game, blitzed very aggressively and that resulted in the appearance of keeping Coppage more contained.  In reality over last several years Lavelle has always had big runs during games.   Ultimately the rushing game did perform.  Hats off to Joe Hansen for moving from Right Guard to Center with Grant Poenitsch got injured.   

WarhawkDad

Appreciate the follow-up WarhawkDad but stats show the running game was contained, at least Coppage...1st game this season without a TD for Levelle and he averaged 3.1 ypc until his long run of 47 yds. He had the 2nd most carries of the season (28) and the lowest YPC (4.7) of any game this season. First game UWW had only 1 rushing TD of the season. It was Blanchard's running after receivers were covered downfield that consistently hurt the UWO defense, IMHO. I was quite surprised and impressed at his mobility.

Any reason Desmon Ward did not play Saturday?

[badgerwarhawk]

You probably mean any reason Desmon Ward didn't have any rushing attempts on Saturday, Oshfb.  He did play on special teams.  I don't know why he wasn't used as a running back. 

[footballfan413]

Following the game an Oshkosh mother said to me, "Mount Union will demolish you guys!" My response was to tell her that we didn't have to worry about that for eight weeks and right now what we needed to do is focus on Stevens Point. 

I know this is an older post...but I'm just blown away about this comment.

Some people 

I ran into a BUNCH of very friendly Oshkosh fans, I had a great time tailgating with them and being at the game.

I don't think the mom was trying to be rude or anything like that.  She was obviously a Titan
player's parent and understandably disappointed by what had just transpired.    What was kind of funny about it was that with a potential of 7 games remaining she was already assuming that we would advance to the national championship game.


I also was surprised by the announced attendance.  It seemed like a larger crowd. 

The level of disappointment had to be major.  For the Titans to play so well and to come soooo close to doing, what every team in the D3 world aspires to, knocking off the defending champs, and to just fall short, I will cut her HUGE amounts of slack.  That being said, it has always been a point of pride with me, as a parent of a player and now an ex-player, to be a great ambassador of Warhawk football!  I try not to miss an opportunity to engage and welcome opposing players and fans.  While not in uniform, you need to keep in mind that you
are one of the faces of the program and always act accordingly, IMHO.

And you do a wonderful job +k !  Will we see you at the Perk this Saturday?   

Thanks WD.  Of course.  Wouldn't miss Homecoming!   We should have #33 and Mrs. #33 with us now that his HS season is over.  We are just getting back from a trip to MN and when I talked to my husband a few weeks ago about heading Up North, he said, "I assume you are scheduling it around football?".   

[warhawkguard]

First, Thanks to 02 for the burger at the Tailgate!

Second,
That stadium was packed pretty full. What is the capacity of it, because it was a good 90% full at least. It was remarkable how many PURPLE wearing fans were there. I had to sit on the left side of the field because there was nowhere to sit on the right where the Purple People were sitting.

Third,
UWO was impressive. That is a strong team they have there. The Hawks had all they could handle with them. If they made just one major mistake they would have lost. I really hope they make the playoffs, they deserve it. They have great potential. I think they could play with anybody.

That was a true nailbiter of a game. I had enough of that and then the Badgers played.......

[WarhawkDad]

I was very dissapointed, but proud to be a Titan on Saturday afternoon. They played a great game. My thoughts on the game:

- UWW's OL looked smaller than I remember in the past.
- UWO's DL was able to stay gap disciplined for the majority of the game and really limited the UWW run game
- UWO was most successful running the option out of the inverted wishbone in the first half (thanks O'Grady).
- UWO seldom pressed the UWW secondary by passing downfield. Seemed UWW could be attacked in that fashion.
- Coppage was held to under 90yds rushing until he broke off his 40ish yd run with under 2 min left in the game
- UWO could not stop Blanchard from running. He was the leading rusher until Coppage's long run.
- Overton got hurt after selling out to prevent a TD run...impressive play. I thought immediately he suffered a concussion on the play.
- Wara seemed to be off on his passing this day...missing easy passes in the flats, etc. He was not pressed by UWW's DL on those passes.
- 2 timeouts on UWW's last drive were worthy, IMHO. 1 due to a player unable to get off the field and 1 seemed related to defensive alignment pre-snap.
- UWO had an impressive goal line stand to hold UWW to a FG on their last possession (from within the 5yd line).
- Surprised UWO ran a dive then called an immediate timeout to start their last drive. I know UWO ran a dive for 70ish yds in 1st half though
- Surprised attendance was listed as 3,863. I thought there was double that in the stadium
- I think the incident with the UWO mother was heat of the moment. I thought fans were respectful on both sides.
- UWO seemed to have played much more poorly with fundamentals against Mount. I wouldn't put much stock in the differences of like opponent scores.

OSHFB

For what it is worth, last year's UWW offensive line averaged 289 lbs and 2011 averages 287 lbs.   They might be slightly shorter, but I think the OSHFB, defensive line was very tall and according to several UWW linemen, strong!  So maybe it is not so much UWW being smaller as UWO being bigger.

Also, UWO did a great job with being gap disciplined and again running a 3-5 a majority of the game, blitzed very aggressively and that resulted in the appearance of keeping Coppage more contained.  In reality over last several years Lavelle has always had big runs during games.   Ultimately the rushing game did perform.  Hats off to Joe Hansen for moving from Right Guard to Center with Grant Poenitsch got injured.   

WarhawkDad

Appreciate the follow-up WarhawkDad but stats show the running game was contained, at least Coppage...1st game this season without a TD for Levelle and he averaged 3.1 ypc until his long run of 47 yds. He had the 2nd most carries of the season (28) and the lowest YPC (4.7) of any game this season. First game UWW had only 1 rushing TD of the season. It was Blanchard's running after receivers were covered downfield that consistently hurt the UWO defense, IMHO. I was quite surprised and impressed at his mobility.

Any reason Desmon Ward did not play Saturday?

OSHFB

I was not trying to say that UWO did not do a good job on defense and slowing down the run game.  They absolutely did.  My point was more that Lavelle always seems to break off at least one or two good long runs a game.  Those obviously expand his average yards per carry.   Matt also had to tuck the ball away and run a couple times due to good coverage, but there were many plays when the #15 was called as the primary ball carrier, something we have not done alot this year.  Matt has a tremendous amount of talent and mobility and adds a dimension many defenses are not prepared to address. 

I truly hope UWO gets into the playoffs and is in another bracket from UWW and progresses deep into the playoffs.

WHD

[02 Warhawk]

First, Thanks to 02 for the burger at the Tailgate!

No problem...thanks for stopping by.

Glad to see that Badgerwarhawk, KitchenSink and GBMAN stopped over as well.

[KitchenSink]

02 throws a great tailgate. I highly recommend.

[BoBo]

02 throws a great tailgate. I highly recommend.

Pictures? Video?

[02 Warhawk]

02 throws a great tailgate. I highly recommend.

Pictures? Video?

Funny you should ask....I'm working on something for my next blog post.

[Blugold 89.7FM]

Okay...let's change things up a bit here.  I'll throw down....and not that the UWO-UWW game wasn't great...it was....but.....

"What's up with Bethel?  Three MIACs in the top 25?  I get STU and the Ole's, I guess...but really?"
Must we live under the shroud of MIAC envy??? Or are we forever to be the stereotypical "big-slow WIAC!?!?!

Okay even if my rant is irrational, I do feel better.  Mom always said " more room out than in, so let it out."

[BoBo]

Okay...let's change things up a bit here.  I'll throw down....and not that the UWO-UWW game wasn't great...it was....but.....

"What's up with Bethel?  Three MIACs in the top 25?  I get STU and the Ole's, I guess...but really?"
Must we live under the shroud of MIAC envy??? Or are we forever to be the stereotypical "big-slow WIAC!?!?!

Okay even if my rant is irrational, I do feel better.  Mom always said " more room out than in, so let it out."

The Bethel part I couldn't care about. But, on the other hand, besides UWW and Oshkosh, do you feel any other WIAC schools deserves considerations for inclusion in the TOP 25?  If so, who and why?

[BoBo]

A couple random thoughts:

1.  Titan Stadium seating capacity listed at 9,800 on the WIAC weekly release.  When TV panned the grandstand, it looked rather full. The attendance listed on the box score seemed short - or only included paid attendance?

2.  Wara is listed as a Junior on Oshkosh's roster, not a Senior as some (including myself) thought. The fact that his brother (?) Justin preceeded him on the Titans maybe makes it seem like he's been there for a longer time.

3.  Blanchard was the best player on the field on Saturday in Oshkosh. He's been the best player on the field for most, if not all (IMO) of the season. Through week 8, I'd say he's the WIAC MVP.

4.  Where's emma17?

5.  Coppage has had more rushes for no gain or rushes for loss than I can remember from past seasons. That being said, I thought it was interesting listening to the Oshkosh student announcers on the TV broadcast (who did a pretty decent job, BTW) talking about Coppage. They talked at length each time Coppage was stopped for a short gain how he could be stopped for a short gain after a short gain, but you just knew he was going to break a long gainer at the right time. Even when he got stopped in the backfield for a loss, the first words out of their mouths were, "...but he is capable of breaking a long gainer at any moment..." When Coppage had broken the line and was slicing through the secondary on the 47 yard gain, they were like, (paraphrasing) 'we sure called that one!' Once they got inside the 5, I'm not sure the Warhawks were so intent on scoring a TD than they were at running time off the clock. I think they felt it was OK to kick a FG if they ran enough time off the clock. The two announcers even commented that maybe the Titan defense would be better off allowing WW to score on first down to save time for their own offense to counter the score following the kickoff. After the first down play, it became obvious that that  wasn't a concession the Titan D was going to make. On the Blanchard roll out/run, it sure looked like he stuck the ball over the pilon on the far corner as the DB took out his legs.

6.  Kindler has quickly transformed into a very reliable and accurate place kicker. The difficulties of those first couple games last year seem like light years away today. I think he's getting the confidence of the coaching staff the way Schebler had.

7.  Tyler Huber is leading the conference in receiving.

8.  Stevens Point appears to be playing their best ball of the season at the moment...and coming into WW again for homecoming.  Warhawks coming off a very emotional win that according to voice made LL rather proud to be their coach. If there was ever a time to be vulnerable, this is the week. Every week in a grind, or so it seems.

9.  Barring any unforseen circumtances, this is the week we finally get to crown a new WIAC rushing leader, only 53 yards to go. I guess, all things considered, it's nice Coppage will be able to do it at home.

10. Where's emma17?

11. I would love Oshkosh to make it into the playoffs (say in the old west bracket, UWW in the old north). It would make for interesting games vs Linfield or St. Thomas (did someone say Dubuque?). I'm not sure how those games would turn out. But, would probably be enjoyable to watch.

I'm done...

[nccfac]

8.  Stevens Point appears to be playing their best ball of the season at the moment...and coming into WW again for homecoming.  Warhawks coming off a very emotional win that according to voice made LL rather proud to be their coach. If there was ever a time to be vulnerable, this is the week. Every week in a grind, or so it seems.

10. Where's emma17?

11. I would love Oshkosh to make it into the playoffs (say in the old west bracket, UWW in the old north). It would make for interesting games vs Linfield or St. Thomas (did someone say Dubuque?). I'm not sure how those games would turn out. But, would probably be enjoyable to watch.

I'm done...



From Naperville:
I wonder where Emma17 is also. Always enjoy Emma17's  post.
As far as a let down after UWO, I feel that UWW will not have a let down against UW Stevens Point.  I bet they don't want another close game in the third quarter and they will want to show the world that is not UWW football. They are better than that!

[Blugold 89.7FM]

The Bethel part I couldn't care about.

Oh okay thanks...so much for changing the subject.

But, on the other hand, besides UWW and Oshkosh, do you feel any other WIAC schools deserves considerations for inclusion in the TOP 25?  If so, who and why?

No.   I just don't understand three from the MIAC. IMHO. (as you say) their conference doesn't seem that strong, to command that level of respect.  Not this year. Not to mention that a WIAC team with a similar season record and experience would've been dropped from the rankings by now.

I  was hoping to stir up some WIAC pride in the posts.  But who am I to stop a train?!? 

[BoBo]

The Bethel part I couldn't care about.

Oh okay thanks...so much for changing the subject.

But, on the other hand, besides UWW and Oshkosh, do you feel any other WIAC schools deserves considerations for inclusion in the TOP 25?  If so, who and why?

No.   I just don't understand three from the MIAC. IMHO. (as you say) their conference doesn't seem that strong, to command that level of respect.  Not this year. Not to mention that a WIAC team with a similar season record and experience would've been dropped from the rankings by now. 

I  was hoping to stir up some WIAC pride in the posts.  But who am I to stop a train?!? 

89.7FM (nice plug, btw!), using the quote function in the upper right corner of a post, is a lot more useful and easier that copying and pasting or typing a quote in your reply window. 

Please understand, I'm not the conductor of this train. I'm a hobo hitching a ride, far in the back of the line of railcars. Don't get frustrated when the first poster responding doesn't want to dance. If you don't understand why three MIAC members are in the top 25, I'd suggest asking on the MIAC board why three members of what you see as a weak conference, could be in the top 25?  You'll probably get the feedback you are seeking (although it might cost you most of your karma!)  This WIAC fan doesn't have much of a complaint since we don't have a contender for the same top 25 honor. Can you site any examples of a WIAC member(s) with a similar season record and experience being dropped from the rankings as your reply said?  Convince me we're being screwed & I might start waving the pom pons (u rah rah!!)