FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[bleedpurple]

For what it's worth:  Comment from John O'Grady, former Falcon coach, now a Warhawk assistant, when I asked him whether this year's version of the Warhawk team was equal to last year's team: "as good on offense, but maybe not on defense." This was one/two games into the season.

I think that's fair. Even in the present, I think with Kumerow, it would also be fair to say, "Better on offense, but not on defense".  UW-W 2013 vs  UW-W 2014 would be a good game. Fortunately for UW-W 2014, 2013 isn't in the field.  But the stage on which UW-W 2013's legacy was built still lies ahead for this year's team. It would be premature to call this team better, but it would also be premature to say this team is not as good.

[bleedpurple]

Yes, the Wabash defense flies to the ball.  They have on occasion given up long(ish) runs when the hole opens quickly.  The QB keep on the read option has also occasionally fooled them because they are so aggressive toward the fake.  Lastly, and perhaps some who have seen Wabash will disagree, the rushing yds. per game in the 50s, is there because they get so many sacks (54 so far), so this yardage is subtracted from the rushing totals.
     All this said, teams have had difficulty sustaining drives against the D because they cannot consistently run the ball and Wabash has swarmed the QB--sacks and hurries--and to go to counters and slower stuff has not worked.  It's the fastest, quickest defense I've ever seen at Wabash.
     Whether they can be softened up by pounding the rock the way UWW does could be one key to the game.  So far no team has had the talent to pull this off--not saying UWW cannot do this.  The one team in the NCAC that might have really challenged the Wabash D is Wittenberg, but for whatever reason their excellent running backs (both have been all-NCAC in the past) never got going all year.  A new offensive coordinator at Witt may have something to do with this.  They didn't rush against the Wabash D for any more yards than several other teams.
       

You're not kidding about the quickness of this Wabash Defense.  KitchenSink brings up a good point about the game changing.  Can a bigger O Line create lanes that will stay open long enough before the swarming Wabash defenders can close it up?

They are a good defense. But, c'mon Emma. They have given up 130 points. I'm guessing they are not the '85 Bears. 

[02 Warhawk]

Yes, the Wabash defense flies to the ball.  They have on occasion given up long(ish) runs when the hole opens quickly.  The QB keep on the read option has also occasionally fooled them because they are so aggressive toward the fake.  Lastly, and perhaps some who have seen Wabash will disagree, the rushing yds. per game in the 50s, is there because they get so many sacks (54 so far), so this yardage is subtracted from the rushing totals.
     All this said, teams have had difficulty sustaining drives against the D because they cannot consistently run the ball and Wabash has swarmed the QB--sacks and hurries--and to go to counters and slower stuff has not worked.  It's the fastest, quickest defense I've ever seen at Wabash.
     Whether they can be softened up by pounding the rock the way UWW does could be one key to the game.  So far no team has had the talent to pull this off--not saying UWW cannot do this.  The one team in the NCAC that might have really challenged the Wabash D is Wittenberg, but for whatever reason their excellent running backs (both have been all-NCAC in the past) never got going all year.  A new offensive coordinator at Witt may have something to do with this.  They didn't rush against the Wabash D for any more yards than several other teams.
       

You're not kidding about the quickness of this Wabash Defense.  KitchenSink brings up a good point about the game changing.  Can a bigger O Line create lanes that will stay open long enough before the swarming Wabash defenders can close it up?

They are a good defense. But, c'mon Emma. They have given up 130 points. I'm guessing they are not the '85 Bears.

And playing in the NCAC.

[emma17]

Yes, the Wabash defense flies to the ball.  They have on occasion given up long(ish) runs when the hole opens quickly.  The QB keep on the read option has also occasionally fooled them because they are so aggressive toward the fake.  Lastly, and perhaps some who have seen Wabash will disagree, the rushing yds. per game in the 50s, is there because they get so many sacks (54 so far), so this yardage is subtracted from the rushing totals.
     All this said, teams have had difficulty sustaining drives against the D because they cannot consistently run the ball and Wabash has swarmed the QB--sacks and hurries--and to go to counters and slower stuff has not worked.  It's the fastest, quickest defense I've ever seen at Wabash.
     Whether they can be softened up by pounding the rock the way UWW does could be one key to the game.  So far no team has had the talent to pull this off--not saying UWW cannot do this.  The one team in the NCAC that might have really challenged the Wabash D is Wittenberg, but for whatever reason their excellent running backs (both have been all-NCAC in the past) never got going all year.  A new offensive coordinator at Witt may have something to do with this.  They didn't rush against the Wabash D for any more yards than several other teams.
       

You're not kidding about the quickness of this Wabash Defense.  KitchenSink brings up a good point about the game changing.  Can a bigger O Line create lanes that will stay open long enough before the swarming Wabash defenders can close it up?

They are a good defense. But, c'mon Emma. They have given up 130 points. I'm guessing they are not the '85 Bears.

And playing in the NCAC.

The most they gave up is 21 though- and that was against H-S, a team w a very good QB (despite the Wesley result). They probably are susceptible to the big play given their attacking style so teams will get a score here and there.

Those 2 outside LB's/DE's look a lot like Richard Dent and Dan Hampton roaming the offensive backfield. 

[voice]

Keys to winning football games, particularly against good teams in the playoffs is winning the turnover battle. Whitewater has been annually among the best, if not the best in the nation. Check out the consistency each year

2014   +24  Thru 11 games
2013   +34
2012   +17  10 games/no playoffs
2011   +27
2010   +26
2009   +27
2008   +20
2007   +24
2006   +20
2005   +24

[Redtooth]

Keys to winning football games, particularly against good teams in the playoffs is winning the turnover battle. Whitewater has been annually among the best, if not the best in the nation. Check out the consistency each year

2014   +24  Thru 11 games
2013   +34
2012   +17  10 games/no playoffs
2011   +27
2010   +26
2009   +27
2008   +20
2007   +24
2006   +20
2005   +24

Long time SJU fan and former coach, first time WIAC poster.....  Voice, you have hit the nail on the head with this post.  This is where championships are own and Lance has instilled this concept with his teams better than anyone.  I hope WW fans understand and appreciate how special what Lance has done to build this powerhouse.

[02 Warhawk]

Keys to winning football games, particularly against good teams in the playoffs is winning the turnover battle. Whitewater has been annually among the best, if not the best in the nation. Check out the consistency each year

2014   +24  Thru 11 games
2013   +34
2012   +17  10 games/no playoffs
2011   +27
2010   +26
2009   +27
2008   +20
2007   +24
2006   +20
2005   +24

Long time SJU fan and former coach, first time WIAC poster.....  Voice, you have hit the nail on the head with this post.  This is where championships are own and Lance has instilled this concept with his teams better than anyone.  I hope WW fans understand and appreciate how special what Lance has done to build this powerhouse.

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

[wabashcpa]

Looking at the Game Notes for the Whitewater-Wabash match-up, the thing that caught my eye is Wabash plays a 3-4 with a D Line that goes 241-237-221 lbs across, and LBs that go 223-215-203-187.  To have a Top 10 rushing defense with that kind of size, they must really fly around.

I used to think that a light defense would be chewed up by a Pound the Rock offense every day of the week, but the game has changed.  I do wonder if the UWW coaches may try to wear down that front with a heavy dose of straight ahead running.

One thing to keep in mind when looking at these size figures is the leading tackler for Wabash is a 230 lb safety (that probably plays more like a 5th linebacker) and has a great nose for the ball.  I add this since you would not normally expect a team that has a safety as the leading tackler to be a great run defense, but I wouldn't call him a traditional safety, and the Wabash run defense is clearly a strength.

[DuffMan]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

[02 Warhawk]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

I'm hoping he stays for another season or two...but that might be asking too much.

[bleedpurple]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

I'm hoping he stays for another season or two...but that might be asking too much.

No worries. Emma is taking online coaching classes and he is ready for a move north.  Win, lose, or draw the Perk will be filled with slant passes! 

[MasterJedi]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

I'm hoping he stays for another season or two...but that might be asking too much.

No worries. Emma is taking online coaching classes and he is ready for a move north.  Win, lose, or draw the Perk will be filled with slant passes! 

Uh oh, does that mean we're looking forward to some "helpful losses" every season?? 

[emma17]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

I'm hoping he stays for another season or two...but that might be asking too much.

No worries. Emma is taking online coaching classes and he is ready for a move north.  Win, lose, or draw the Perk will be filled with slant passes! 

Uh oh, does that mean we're looking forward to some "helpful losses" every season?? 

Funny, funny guys. 
Master, I have to correct you, the new regime will only accept one helpful loss per season.   

Bleed, the traditional route tree identifies the Slant Route as a 2.  Given most of my education was online, you can understand why I'm not familiar with many other routes- that would have required serious counting talent.

[BoBo]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

I'm hoping he stays for another season or two...but that might be asking too much.

No worries. Emma is taking online coaching classes and he is ready for a move north.  Win, lose, or draw the Perk will be filled with slant passes! 

Uh oh, does that mean we're looking forward to some "helpful losses" every season?? 

Funny, funny guys. 
Master, I have to correct you, the new regime will only accept one helpful loss per season.   

Bleed, the traditional route tree identifies the Slant Route as a 2.  Given most of my education was online, you can understand why I'm not familiar with many other routes- that would have required serious counting talent.

Plus, no throwing to your #1 WR in the red zone...spread the ball around, just for fun.

[emma17]

We do, and we understand it won't last forever. Just enjoying the ride while it lasts.   

If he's anything like Gagliardi, it only last another 50 years or so. 

I'm hoping he stays for another season or two...but that might be asking too much.

No worries. Emma is taking online coaching classes and he is ready for a move north.  Win, lose, or draw the Perk will be filled with slant passes! 

Uh oh, does that mean we're looking forward to some "helpful losses" every season?? 

Funny, funny guys. 
Master, I have to correct you, the new regime will only accept one helpful loss per season.   

Bleed, the traditional route tree identifies the Slant Route as a 2.  Given most of my education was online, you can understand why I'm not familiar with many other routes- that would have required serious counting talent.

Plus, no throwing to your #1 WR in the red zone...spread the ball around, just for fun.

Uh, I said that too didn't I?  Maybe Lance should stick around.