FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

Worry bugs are settling in. I don't see too many holes in Oshkosh's game that Whitewater can exploit. Oshkosh matches up very well to Whitewater. I guess we'll see.

Best comparison stat that I've come across:
- UWW's defense has forced 27 turnovers (second best in DIII)
- UWO's offense only has 1 turnover (best in DIII)

Only 1 turnover is amazing.
If you had told me before the game that Stout wouldn't turn the ball over until the 4th qrtr I would have bet big the game would have been tight.  Much to my appreciation, the UWW offense did not need the UWW defense- for the first time this season.

It will certainly be tougher vs UWO but at least we have reason for optimism.

The UWW defense caused 3 and outs and special teams helped create good field position for the UWW offense. 

The Warhawks starting position on scoring drives and results were:

UWW 41 Yd Line - TD
Stout 49 Yd Line - TD
UWW 20 Yd Line - FG
Stout 28 Yd Line - FG
UWW 32 Yd Line - TD
Stout 44 Yd Line - TD
Stout 9  Yd Line - TD

So regardless of takeaways (which I hope we have a bunch) if the defense can cause 3 and outs and special teams perform well, it will certainly help the cause.

WarhawkDad

Good point, I must amend prior statement to:  unlike previous games where the offense seemed to rely on great field position created by turnovers - The offense showed an ability to move the chains on a more consistent basis regardless of field position, resulting in more scoring drives than UWW has seen to date.

[emma17]

Worry bugs are settling in. I don't see too many holes in Oshkosh's game that Whitewater can exploit. Oshkosh matches up very well to Whitewater. I guess we'll see.

Best comparison stat that I've come across:
- UWW's defense has forced 27 turnovers (second best in DIII)
- UWO's offense only has 1 turnover (best in DIII)

Ahh, everything is right in the world       02 is worrying.   I am decidedly pumped for this game. 

With everything pointed to a close game.....what is homefield advantage worth?

I too am pumped for this game- weather seems to be holding too.
In a conversation with the CCIW folks last week I was informed Massey gives D3 teams a 1.5-2.8 (or something like that) home field advantage. 

[wesleydad]

figured I would stop by and say hi to my UWW friends.  seems like you guys have a good one coming up this weekend.  As an outsider, how much better was Oshkosh than Platteville?  Did the QB loses hurt Platteville that much from the Whitewater game.  Reading your posts, what seems to be the main issue with the offense?  As usual it seems like you have a strong defense and I believe that I read a post that mentioned your punter which if I remember you always have a good one.  Nice to read your chatter here, gets me through the week when Wesley plays a non D3 team, plus no one really chats much during the week over there.  Good luck this week, I will be interested to see the score upon my return from Salisbury, heading down there for the E8 tilt between them and Alfred U.  Too bad a drive to Wisconsin is a little far for me because it would at least give me more good game to go see during the year.

[bleedpurple]

Hi wesleydad,

Although hard to quantify, IMHO Oshkosh is more physical along the lines than Platteville and better defensively.  UW-O also has WARA who is probably the best skill position offensive player in the WIAC.  They also have more balance offensively than UW-P.  Platteville is dangerous because they run a spread offense that can get into a wicked rhythm and put a defense on it's heels.  But IMO, Oshkosh matches up well with UW-P because they have an excellent pass defense and too much firepower for the UW-P defense.  Had UW-P had another QB available, it may have made a difference, but it's hard to argue it would have changed the outcome of a 21 point game. 

As far as UW-W, the offensive struggles have been a matter of improvement needed in probably every phase, especially the skill positions. Improvement in QB play is probably the most important and pressing.  But the whole offense needs to keep progressing.

Thanks for checking in, WD. Good luck to the Wolverines the rest of the way.

[emma17]

figured I would stop by and say hi to my UWW friends.  seems like you guys have a good one coming up this weekend.  As an outsider, how much better was Oshkosh than Platteville?  Did the QB loses hurt Platteville that much from the Whitewater game.  Reading your posts, what seems to be the main issue with the offense?  As usual it seems like you have a strong defense and I believe that I read a post that mentioned your punter which if I remember you always have a good one.  Nice to read your chatter here, gets me through the week when Wesley plays a non D3 team, plus no one really chats much during the week over there.  Good luck this week, I will be interested to see the score upon my return from Salisbury, heading down there for the E8 tilt between them and Alfred U.  Too bad a drive to Wisconsin is a little far for me because it would at least give me more good game to go see during the year.

Bleedpurple summed it up nicely.  As for the punter, UWW is fortunate to have a couple good ones- the starter doubles as the placekicker/punter.  They have been working in an Australian punter with a huge leg.  He doesn't have football (American style) experience so the staff is being cautious as to when they bring him in. 

You've got what appears to be a very interesting game in the E8 to see.  Alfred seems to be a strong team- maybe the type of team that can match up a little better with the Salisbury run game?   

[voice]

I was at UW-Whitewater football practice this afternoon until the rain started around 5:20.

You can tell the Hawks understand what is at stake on Saturday. I could sense the extra energy at today's practice.

With UWO playing in front of pathetically small crowds at Titan Stadium. Only 1282 showed up for last weeks battle vs. nationally ranked UW-Platteville - YES I know it was raining!

With good weather (which is now forecast) another 10,000-plus crowd should be on hand for the annual Homecoming-Hall of Fame Day game.

How will a big crowd affect UWO?  UWW?

BTY - on of the Hall of Fame inductees on Saturday will be  Dennis Bogacz who transferred from UWO to UWW following his sophomore season, quarterbacking the UW-W football team in 1990 and 1991, earning First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors  in 1990 and honorable mention in '91 when he was also a team captain.  At the time of his graduation Bogacz ranked highly in the school career record book, including third in touchdowns (33), sixth in career completions (276), and sixth in attempts (544).  He also held the top spot in career passing yards with 4,071, and his 2,074 yards in 1991 was second on the school's season record list at the time. (He is still in the top ten in all of these categories.)  He helped UW-W go undefeated in league play in 1990 and earn a NCAA Division III playoff berth. 

[bleedpurple]

I was at UW-Whitewater football practice this afternoon until the rain started around 5:20.

You can tell the Hawks understand what is at stake on Saturday. I could sense the extra energy at today's practice.

With UWO playing in front of pathetically small crowds at Titan Stadium. Only 1282 showed up for last weeks battle vs. nationally ranked UW-Platteville - YES I know it was raining!

With good weather (which is now forecast) another 10,000-plus crowd should be on hand for the annual Homecoming-Hall of Fame Day game.

How will a big crowd affect UWO?  UWW?

BTY - on of the Hall of Fame inductees on Saturday will be  Dennis Bogacz who transferred from UWO to UWW following his sophomore season, quarterbacking the UW-W football team in 1990 and 1991, earning First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors  in 1990 and honorable mention in '91 when he was also a team captain.  At the time of his graduation Bogacz ranked highly in the school career record book, including third in touchdowns (33), sixth in career completions (276), and sixth in attempts (544).  He also held the top spot in career passing yards with 4,071, and his 2,074 yards in 1991 was second on the school's season record list at the time. (He is still in the top ten in all of these categories.)  He helped UW-W go undefeated in league play in 1990 and earn a NCAA Division III playoff berth.

I would think a big crowd will add to the atmosphere and make Saturday a lot of fun for all of the players. For the first time in while, the Hawks are feeling like an underdog in other people's eyes this week.  Coach Leipold referred to the Hawks as embracing the role of being the "hunter instead of the hunted" this week.  On the UW-O side, Coach Cerroni said "We're not supposed to win this game, so what pressure is there?"  Both coaches are wise enough to not allow their teams to put all their emotional eggs in one basket with three games remaining after this one.

However, the reality is that both teams will be REALLY amped up. Probably the biggest challenge is for players not to allow their emotions to overtake their thought process and assignment focus. That can lead to an early turnover or missed assignment that can give one team an early edge and make the entire game an uphill fight, a la UW-W at UW-P. 

Congratulations to Dennis for his well-deserved induction into the Hall of Fame!

[emma17]

I was at UW-Whitewater football practice this afternoon until the rain started around 5:20.

You can tell the Hawks understand what is at stake on Saturday. I could sense the extra energy at today's practice.

With UWO playing in front of pathetically small crowds at Titan Stadium. Only 1282 showed up for last weeks battle vs. nationally ranked UW-Platteville - YES I know it was raining!

With good weather (which is now forecast) another 10,000-plus crowd should be on hand for the annual Homecoming-Hall of Fame Day game.

How will a big crowd affect UWO?  UWW?

BTY - on of the Hall of Fame inductees on Saturday will be  Dennis Bogacz who transferred from UWO to UWW following his sophomore season, quarterbacking the UW-W football team in 1990 and 1991, earning First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference honors  in 1990 and honorable mention in '91 when he was also a team captain.  At the time of his graduation Bogacz ranked highly in the school career record book, including third in touchdowns (33), sixth in career completions (276), and sixth in attempts (544).  He also held the top spot in career passing yards with 4,071, and his 2,074 yards in 1991 was second on the school's season record list at the time. (He is still in the top ten in all of these categories.)  He helped UW-W go undefeated in league play in 1990 and earn a NCAA Division III playoff berth.

I would think a big crowd will add to the atmosphere and make Saturday a lot of fun for all of the players. For the first time in while, the Hawks are feeling like an underdog in other people's eyes this week.  Coach Leipold referred to the Hawks as embracing the role of being the "hunter instead of the hunted" this week.  On the UW-O side, Coach Cerroni said "We're not supposed to win this game, so what pressure is there?"  Both coaches are wise enough to not allow their teams to put all their emotional eggs in one basket with three games remaining after this one.

However, the reality is that both teams will be REALLY amped up. Probably the biggest challenge is for players not to allow their emotions to overtake their thought process and assignment focus. That can lead to an early turnover or missed assignment that can give one team an early edge and make the entire game an uphill fight, a la UW-W at UW-P. 

Congratulations to Dennis for his well-deserved induction into the Hall of Fame!

I'm not sure 10,000 quiet people will have any effect whatsoever- other than making for a memorable image in the players' minds when they look up into the stadium.
Let's face it, the pressure IS on UWW.  I'm not a big believer in the whole "our number one goal is to win the conference" theory.  IMO every team's number one goal should be to make the playoffs.  UWO doesn't need to win the conference to get into the playoffs- they should be able to make it with a 9-1 record.  If UWW loses, not looking so good.  The positive side of this is that UWW has played in at least 35 "win or go home" games since 2005- that's a lot of practice for must win games. 
 

[02 Warhawk]

You're dead on. Win or lose Saturday UWO is still making the playoffs.

Lose and Whitewater might be sh*t out of luck. I know that BS loss isn't a regional game, but it still kills our chances.

[ncc58]

Bleedpurple summed it up nicely.  As for the punter, UWW is fortunate to have a couple good ones- the starter doubles as the placekicker/punter.  They have been working in an Australian punter with a huge leg.  He doesn't have football (American style) experience so the staff is being cautious as to when they bring him in. 

I was at the UWRF game and the punting was inconsistent, so I had to go look at the stats. In the first four games, UWW averaged 41, 53, 41, and 47 yards per punt. In the last two games, the average has been 36 and 37. Any concern for the trend?

[ncc58]

I'm not sure 10,000 quiet people will have any effect whatsoever- other than making for a memorable image in the players' minds when they look up into the stadium.
Let's face it, the pressure IS on UWW.  I'm not a big believer in the whole "our number one goal is to win the conference" theory.  IMO every team's number one goal should be to make the playoffs.  UWO doesn't need to win the conference to get into the playoffs- they should be able to make it with a 9-1 record.  If UWW loses, not looking so good.  The positive side of this is that UWW has played in at least 35 "win or go home" games since 2005- that's a lot of practice for must win games. 

Looking at the UWO depth chart, it's mostly a Jr/Sr team. So, they've been to UWW, they're familiar with the facilities, and they've seen the big crowd. If the game is close, the crowd will be quiet. The players on the field won't even notice the crowd. If the crowd is loud - that will probably mean that UWW is playing well and UWO isn't.

[02 Warhawk]

Bleedpurple summed it up nicely.  As for the punter, UWW is fortunate to have a couple good ones- the starter doubles as the placekicker/punter.  They have been working in an Australian punter with a huge leg.  He doesn't have football (American style) experience so the staff is being cautious as to when they bring him in. 

I was at the UWRF game and the punting was inconsistent, so I had to go look at the stats. In the first four games, UWW averaged 41, 53, 41, and 47 yards per punt. In the last two games, the average has been 36 and 37. Any concern for the trend?

No, not really.

For the UWRF game, Gardener shanked one that went 15 yards, which killed the team's average. Every other punt was 40+ yards.

For the Stout game, one punt hurt the average and that came from the Stout's 44 yard line. The punt went 26 yards and pinned them inside the 20. I'll take that rather over a booming punt into the endzone everytime.

If they were consistantly punting under 40 yards each time, then yes...it's a concern. But that's not the case at all. When given a full field, Kindler and Gardener are killing it.

[02 Warhawk]

A quick write-up on this week's WIAC games

[emma17]

Bleedpurple summed it up nicely.  As for the punter, UWW is fortunate to have a couple good ones- the starter doubles as the placekicker/punter.  They have been working in an Australian punter with a huge leg.  He doesn't have football (American style) experience so the staff is being cautious as to when they bring him in. 

I was at the UWRF game and the punting was inconsistent, so I had to go look at the stats. In the first four games, UWW averaged 41, 53, 41, and 47 yards per punt. In the last two games, the average has been 36 and 37. Any concern for the trend?

Yes, we've been punting too much.

[emma17]

I'm not sure 10,000 quiet people will have any effect whatsoever- other than making for a memorable image in the players' minds when they look up into the stadium.
Let's face it, the pressure IS on UWW.  I'm not a big believer in the whole "our number one goal is to win the conference" theory.  IMO every team's number one goal should be to make the playoffs.  UWO doesn't need to win the conference to get into the playoffs- they should be able to make it with a 9-1 record.  If UWW loses, not looking so good.  The positive side of this is that UWW has played in at least 35 "win or go home" games since 2005- that's a lot of practice for must win games. 

Looking at the UWO depth chart, it's mostly a Jr/Sr team. So, they've been to UWW, they're familiar with the facilities, and they've seen the big crowd. If the game is close, the crowd will be quiet. The players on the field won't even notice the crowd. If the crowd is loud - that will probably mean that UWW is playing well and UWO isn't.

Gator- At this moment, I put zero value on a UWW advantage due to the home field crowd.  I'd love to be proved wrong because there aren't many things better in the sports world than being part of a crowd (large or small) and feeling the collective cheering and screaming is helping your team to victory.  The facts are this:  UWW lost at home to BSU and UWW lost at home to UWSP.  Those are UWW's only losses other than one Stagg Bowl since September 15, 2007.