FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

Another reason it's tough to read NAIA teams is they start before D-III teams do, and they have a spring practice in full pads. They definitely have the opportunity to come into the season better prepared than D-III teams do.

True enough.  In Belhaven's case, since they weren't required to follow NCAA guidelines until September 1st, they were able to have their padded spring practices and annual Green and White Spring game as well this year. 

I will go on record now, though, and say that if UW-W loses to either Belhaven or Morningside, I will NOT complain about the NAIA schools having an advantage! 

Not even if you later find out they don't put their pants on the same way as D3 players?

[Pat Coleman]

Another reason it's tough to read NAIA teams is they start before D-III teams do, and they have a spring practice in full pads. They definitely have the opportunity to come into the season better prepared than D-III teams do.

True enough.  In Belhaven's case, since they weren't required to follow NCAA guidelines until September 1st, they were able to have their padded spring practices and annual Green and White Spring game as well this year. 

I will go on record now, though, and say that if UW-W loses to either Belhaven or Morningside, I will NOT complain about the NAIA schools having an advantage! 

This is true -- Belhaven had that advantage but in talking to Hal Mumme for Kickoff he said nobody in that spring practice was able to contribute in the secondary and there were lots of other holes because a lot of scholarship kids transferred out.

For example, I understand from Ralph Turner that only 10 scholarship kids are left on the McMurry roster and I wouldn't be surprised if it were even less for Belhaven because they were coming from NAIA, with 24 scholarships max instead of 36.

[bleedpurple]

Another reason it's tough to read NAIA teams is they start before D-III teams do, and they have a spring practice in full pads. They definitely have the opportunity to come into the season better prepared than D-III teams do.

True enough.  In Belhaven's case, since they weren't required to follow NCAA guidelines until September 1st, they were able to have their padded spring practices and annual Green and White Spring game as well this year. 

I will go on record now, though, and say that if UW-W loses to either Belhaven or Morningside, I will NOT complain about the NAIA schools having an advantage! 

This is true -- Belhaven had that advantage but in talking to Hal Mumme for Kickoff he said nobody in that spring practice was able to contribute in the secondary and there were lots of other holes because a lot of scholarship kids transferred out.

For example, I understand from Ralph Turner that only 10 scholarship kids are left on the McMurry roster and I wouldn't be surprised if it were even less for Belhaven because they were coming from NAIA, with 24 scholarships max instead of 36.

So schools transitioning into D-III are not allowed to honor their scholarships? that makes sense but it would definitely be disruptive to a program. I remember McMurry was pretty good their last year in D-III. I guess with their current Kick Off ranking it will take them some time to get back to that.

[ExTartanPlayer]

I thought D2/NAIA schools actually could honor the existing scholarships, but could not compete for D3 championships until a probationary period had passed (and by then all of the scholarship kids are off the roster).  I could well be wrong about this, though, but that's my general recollection of what happened with Geneva going from NAIA into the PAC.

I assume the McMurry scholarship kids transferred out not because they lost their scholarships, but because they wanted the prestige of playing on the highest level (there's a HUGE ego factor for some kids that just want to play on the highest level they can, and scoff at D3 despite plenty of examples of non impact "D1" kids transferring down and becoming non impact D3 kids).  As I'm sure many of us have, I've had plenty of discussions with the uninformed who assume any old HS player can be a starter in D3 while playing in a higher level (even D2) is much harder, probably because of the perception that if a team gives out scholarships they must be really hard.

[02 Warhawk]

Looks like Whitewater finally poster its roster and 2-deeps.

[bleedpurple]

Looks like Whitewater finally poster its roster and 2-deeps.

Yes and throughout the season, remember the fastest way to the roster. the schedule, and the stats are through www.Warhawkfootball.com (with commercial-volume Warhawk Fight Song in background).  You can get to each of those areas with only ONE "CLICK" from Warhawkfootball.com (...win that game.") Music ends.

And Warhawk fans, if you haven't checked them out yet, "As Camp Breaks" interview transcripts with OC Craig Smith and DC Rob Erickson are posted now. 

[BoBo]

Looks like Whitewater finally poster its roster and 2-deeps.

All-name team nominee - #6 Famus Hasty DB Fr Naperville, Ill

[ScreamingEagles]

Eagles buckle down, get ready for St. Thomas

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/eagles-buckle-down-get-ready-for-st-thomas/article_5945dabe-96aa-5e99-b9ec-d960fcddbf88.html

[emma17]

Eagles buckle down, get ready for St. Thomas

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/eagles-buckle-down-get-ready-for-st-thomas/article_5945dabe-96aa-5e99-b9ec-d960fcddbf88.html

I'm hoping UWL will play a strong game vs. St Thomas.

I found the comments from coach D and one of the players on last year's game plan to be interesting. 

I don't think I was aware of this rule:

WIAC teams generally travel with 60 players for nonconference games, Dettwiler said, but can ask WIAC commissioner Gary Karner for an exception, which may allow for an extra two or three players.

It appears the exception is specific to non-conference games.  However, even with that, I can see the potential for conflict. 

[ScreamingEagles]

Eagles buckle down, get ready for St. Thomas

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/eagles-buckle-down-get-ready-for-st-thomas/article_5945dabe-96aa-5e99-b9ec-d960fcddbf88.html

I'm hoping UWL will play a strong game vs. St Thomas.

I found the comments from coach D and one of the players on last year's game plan to be interesting. 

I don't think I was aware of this rule:

WIAC teams generally travel with 60 players for nonconference games, Dettwiler said, but can ask WIAC commissioner Gary Karner for an exception, which may allow for an extra two or three players.

It appears the exception is specific to non-conference games.  However, even with that, I can see the potential for conflict.

I would say their comments are exactly what I've witnessed the past few years while watching UWL.  It always seemed like they were trying a whole bunch of different offensive concepts rather than honing in and perfecting a base group of plays.  Hopefully the simplicity helps.

I know last years St. Thomas game was pretty ugly but we were down to two true freshman quarterbacks that wouldn't have come close to playing in a perfect world.  This game should be a good barometer and test for a full-strength Eagles squad.

[02 Warhawk]

Eagles buckle down, get ready for St. Thomas

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/eagles-buckle-down-get-ready-for-st-thomas/article_5945dabe-96aa-5e99-b9ec-d960fcddbf88.html

I'm hoping UWL will play a strong game vs. St Thomas.

I found the comments from coach D and one of the players on last year's game plan to be interesting. 

I don't think I was aware of this rule:

WIAC teams generally travel with 60 players for nonconference games, Dettwiler said, but can ask WIAC commissioner Gary Karner for an exception, which may allow for an extra two or three players.

It appears the exception is specific to non-conference games.  However, even with that, I can see the potential for conflict.

I would say their comments are exactly what I've witnessed the past few years while watching UWL.  It always seemed like they were trying a whole bunch of different offensive concepts rather than honing in and perfecting a base group of plays.  Hopefully the simplicity helps.

I know last years St. Thomas game was pretty ugly but we were down to two true freshman quarterbacks that wouldn't have come close to playing in a perfect world.  This game should be a good barometer and test for a full-strength Eagles squad.

Each year it seems like the WIAC is good for one shocking win against a power team.

Hopefully this is that game.

[palum]

WIAC announces Athletes of the week:

Offense-Tom Kelly, Platteville
Defense-Ryan Weber, La Crosse
Special Teams-Christian Almonte, Stevens Point

WIAC release:

http://www.wiacsports.com/documents/2015/9/1/2015FootballWeeklyRelease.pdf 

[badgerwarhawk]

If Tom is any where near as good as his brother was a few years ago Platteville is continuing it's streak of really good QBs.   

[02 Warhawk]

If Oshkosh has shown us anything, it's that the younger (or youngest) brother will be better than his older brother at QB.

[hazzben]

Eagles buckle down, get ready for St. Thomas

http://lacrossetribune.com/sports/eagles-buckle-down-get-ready-for-st-thomas/article_5945dabe-96aa-5e99-b9ec-d960fcddbf88.html

I found the comments from coach D and one of the players on last year's game plan to be interesting. 

Yeah, they almost seemed contradictory. The coach saying they had too much in the game plan last year (a common mistake, leading to guys thinking too much and playing slow), and so they've tried to simplify things. 

But then the player says they were 'unprepared' last year and that this weeks game plan is much more complex than the one they had for week 1.

I'll be interested to see how that plays out...