FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Highly respected contributors?

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

+K 4U!

Sh***er was Full!

[footballfan413]

I am starting off the post-season pick em's rough but not having a good regular season showing will do that to you, I guess.  I have a much more, "what the hell," mentality now.  Thought I would pick a few teams to upset in the 1st round but wouldn't you know, didn't work so well.  I have traditionally done much better with the WIAC pick ems in the past anyway so not holding out much hope for post season.   Guess it is just not my year.   

[Champs07]

Thoughts on Saturday...
a.) A game isn't won in the first quarter.  UWW didn't come out conservative; they played smart.  First time starter who needed to adjust and feel comfortable with the speed of the game.
b.) UWW did a good job of sticking with the run, even when at times Franklin had the right Defensive stunts up to stop the run.  UWW kept plugging away, broke a couple long runs, and helped open up the pass game.
c.) Brekke looked like a proven back-up QB.  The coaching staff does a great job of developing players throughout the year (in practice) and making sure that players 1-99 are ready to go whenever called upon...Brekke answered the call!! Clearly not as athletic as Blanchard and can't make as many plays with his feet. However, he throws a GREAT ball and did a good job of managing the team and staying calm throughout the game. Very impressed with his first ever start as the QB of the #1 team in the country
d.) Games ARE won in the 3rd Quarter: UWW made ALL the adjustments, came out and dominated the third quarter Offensively and Defensively. That's what GREAT teams do.
e.) Franklin...good team, deserving of a play-off bid, and QB was definitely respectful... but why was he #26?? Never seen a good Qb where #26 lol.
f.) Attendance....AWFUL. Worst Ive seen in UWW in 5 years!

[footballfan413]

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. 
     

Started to bold a few of the statements that I agreed with and then I realized that I agree with all of this but especially the first point.  The first quarter particularly was a heavy dose of Coppage up the middle before we had a chance to wear the D down and guess what........ they had schemed for that!     Hardly even opened up the cover of our playbook.  And yes, a no huddle spread offense is the one offense that has been used against us in the play-offs in the past with a certain level of success, at least for part of a game.  Overall, the Hawks play consistant, smart, risk free football, take what the defense gives them and runs away with leads in the second half.  Works for me. 

Looks like I am not the only one of the board with a, "glass half full mentality." 

[footballfan413]

07,
 You beat my post by minutes but we seem to be on the same page.  What a surprise...........  
       

[propower64]

Thoughts on Saturday...
e.) Franklin...good team, deserving of a play-off bid, and QB was definitely respectful... but why was he #26?? Never seen a good Qb where #26 lol.

Kyle wears #26 as a tribute to his father Rob who wore #26 as an ALL AMERICAN at Franklin College in the 1980's.  Rob Ray passed away after a fight with cancer right before the 2009 season.  Here is a link to a story about it: http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2010/right-on-the-numbers

[bleedpurple]

^ 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.

I think you nailed it here, Bobo.  Brekke got nearly all the reps this week. By the latter part of the week, he and the receivers were on the same page.  It was a "best of both worlds" scenario.  Brekke had the confidence of the coaches and his teammates and Blanchard was given the week off.  The problem with Matt's thumb wasn't so much an inability to throw as it was concern he would bang it before it sufficiently healed and he would be out for the duration of the playoffs.

[bleedpurple]

Thoughts on Saturday's game against Trine, including what separates the Championship programs from the other top programs in D3.

"UW-W 52 Franklin 21"

www.uwwfootball.blogspot.com

[footballfan413]

Thoughts on Saturday...
e.) Franklin...good team, deserving of a play-off bid, and QB was definitely respectful... but why was he #26?? Never seen a good Qb where #26 lol.

Kyle wears #26 as a tribute to his father Rob who wore #26 as an ALL AMERICAN at Franklin College in the 1980's.  Rob Ray passed away after a fight with cancer right before the 2009 season.  Here is a link to a story about it: http://www.d3football.com/columns/around-the-region/midwest/2010/right-on-the-numbers

I am so sorry for the reason behind the tribute but what a wonderful way to honor his father.  He wears it extremely well and played a terrific game on Saturday.  My deepest sympathies to Kyle and the entire Ray family.  Cancer is a bit**!

[voice]

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?

Why bring Blanchard into the ballgame when Brekke was putting together a 23 of 30 for 292 and  4 TD/0 INT kind of afternoon?  If you have the chance to give a injured player a week off - why not?  If needed he could have played.

[02 Warhawk]

I assume (hopefully) this game against Trine will have a live feed available???

I can't make the game this weekend  

[02 Warhawk]

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?

Why bring Blanchard into the ballgame when Brekke was putting together a 23 of 30 for 292 and  4 TD/0 INT kind of afternoon?  If you have the chance to give a injured player a week off - why not?  If needed he could have played.

I think R68 was talking about to start the game....not too many people could of forseen Brekke playing this well. Great decision from the coaching staff to rest Blanchard for the game, and go with Brekke though.

As far as against Trine...i guess we'll see how this week of practice goes, and if Blanchard can get healthy. If 100% I assume Blanchard will get the start (but only if he's 100%).

[HScoach]

If Whitewater couldn't beat Franklin with their 2nd string QB, then they aren't a legit title contender.  Which we know they are and then some.  Both Mount and Whitewater could have won their Round 1 games with me playing QB.

[02 Warhawk]

If Whitewater couldn't beat Franklin with their 2nd string QB, then they aren't a legit title contender.  Which we know they are and then some.  Both Mount and Whitewater could have won their Round 1 games with me playing QB.

I don't think anyone is doubting that UWW would of won that game with anyone other than Blanchard at QB. I guess a lot of us were kind of shocked on how well Brekke played. Since he is only a sophomore making his first collegiate start....in the playoffs no less.

[skunks_sidekick]

If Whitewater couldn't beat Franklin with their 2nd string QB, then they aren't a legit title contender.  Which we know they are and then some.  Both Mount and Whitewater could have won their Round 1 games with me playing QB.

Lineman ALWAYS think they can play QB........