FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

A fun day at the Perk today- Greg Arnold played like another beast middle linebacker that wore the #51 jersey.

UWW and Mt continue to win, but the victories seem harder to come by than in year's past. 

(IMO) I didn't think this UWW game seemed harder than year's past. We dominated on both lines way more than last year against FC. In fact, I don't think this game was much in doubt. I mean FC only got 2 total offense yards in the second half!! How exactly would this victory be harder to come by? Or are you talking about all 12 cumulative victories on the season? When was the last time UWW had a turnover (only 8 in 12 games)?  Mount, on the other hand, hasn't been blowing people away the way they usually do, I would agree. 

I agree Bobo that UWW has been pretty dominant (defensively primarily) these two playoff games- I was speaking to the entire season as far as tougher victories. I could be wrong as I haven't checked stats, but I do think the offense has not put up the type of yardage and sustained drives they did last year. That's not to say they havent played well, just different. If I recall- UWW had two 1,000 yard receivers last year. I don't think they are anywhere close to that this year. But, I also don't think the play calling is the same. I see a more conservative game plan. I'm not complaining though as I'm a big believer in field position and ball control.

Last year, the top two receivers accounted for 151 receptions of the 232 completions (66% of total) - two receivers over 1,000 yards for 15 games.  This year, the top two receivers (Huber & Menzel) account for 104 receptions of the 201 total completions through 12 games (52% of total). Huber lead with 64 catches for 1,033 and with a possible 3 more games to add, could surpass Rusch's 88 receptions and Brandes 1,179 receiving yards, the leaders in each category from last season. Menzel has just under 600 yards on the year. I believe if we make it to the Stagg Bowl, we should have more completions, attempts, per game average (199.2 in 2010; 214.92 this year) and less INT's than last year. So, with three more games possible to add in the stats, I think it's probable to say the passing game has been "different." This years 3rd and 4th receivers (in receptions) Robinson (21) and Ford (24) have as many receptions in 13 games than LC (21) had in 15 games last season as the #3 in catches.  It may turn out to be better than last year overall. The overall pass catching distribution has been better this year. Blanchard's efficiency and completion percentage is down slightly over last year, but by a small margin.

I think you're right about the play calling. But, the receivers this year are not highly experienced, seniors like last year - Huber and Menzel had 13 catches between them last year. We were basically starting over from scratch this year. By the time H & M are seniors, they might be spoken of in the same discussion as the great receivers of the past, too.

UWW is averaging 26 yards less per game this year than last (2010 470.9/gm; 2011 444.9/gm). Pretty close, but the distribution has been a little different.

[footballfan413]

The warhawk second half defense was the defense people talk about when they say defense wins championships. I gotta think it made fbf413 extremely happy. 

Watching the Badger game and having to listen to Matt Millen (tough as it is) talk about Montee Ball, it sounds like the same things I heard listening to Franklin Coach Leonard talk about Coppage during the post game press conference - vision, patients, burst, power, etc.

So right, BoBo!  A great DEFENSE can make a great offense look pedestrian.  Just refer back to the 07 Stagg Bowl if anyone doubts my statement!  I read talk on the CCIW board that NCC didn't blitz this season, always depends on their front line to get pressure.  Will not cut it against great teams, IMHO.  A strong front 4 with a dominate LB corp has been UWW's bread and butter since 2005.  I just love it when we, "send 'em!"    After all, you only need one point more than the other guy to win and with a great DEFENSE, that number doesn't have to be a big one at all.   
   Had a big change in plans yesterday when about an hour before kick off, the family made plans to meet earlier than expected before the wedding so I missed listening to the game after all. When our grown sons call and want to spend time with us, I don't turn that down even for my beloved WARHAWKS! I did catch a fair share of the Wesley/Linfield game as it would play on my ipad, (UWW stream needs an adobe flash player apparently and Steve Jobs didn't think the ipad should have it,)  while driving. The second half comebacks by several teams this week serves notice to all.  Gotta play for 4 quarters, baby! 
     Congrats, WARHAWKS!  Win and advance.   I'll be at the Perk on Saturday for sure! 

BTW, maybe the kaboom talk needs to quiet down a little.  The Wolverines had a, "no quit attitude," yesterday that I have not seen before. 

[badgerwarhawk]

Not to take anything away from any other pass receiver but Huber is having a heck of a year.  The touchdown catch he made yesterday really points out how good of a receiver he is.  The defender had very good coverage but somehow Huber managed to bring the ball in.  Of course it helped that Blanchard threw as perfect a pass as was possible but Huber made a seemingly impossible grab. 

[emma17]

Not to take anything away from any other pass receiver but Huber is having a heck of a year.  The touchdown catch he made yesterday really points out how good of a receiver he is.  The defender had very good coverage but somehow Huber managed to bring the ball in.  Of course it helped that Blanchard threw as perfect a pass as was possible but Huber made a seemingly impossible grab.

Unfortunately I missed this play- do you know if it's available for viewing anywhere?

[02 Warhawk]

Not to take anything away from any other pass receiver but Huber is having a heck of a year.  The touchdown catch he made yesterday really points out how good of a receiver he is.  The defender had very good coverage but somehow Huber managed to bring the ball in.  Of course it helped that Blanchard threw as perfect a pass as was possible but Huber made a seemingly impossible grab.

Unfortunately I missed this play- do you know if it's available for viewing anywhere?

If there's one thing that's near impossible to come by is video highlights from UWW games. Which sucks

[badgerwarhawk]

There is a series of still shots that capture everything but the catch.  DOH!

[BoBo]

Not to take anything away from any other pass receiver but Huber is having a heck of a year.  The touchdown catch he made yesterday really points out how good of a receiver he is.  The defender had very good coverage but somehow Huber managed to bring the ball in.  Of course it helped that Blanchard threw as perfect a pass as was possible but Huber made a seemingly impossible grab.

Unfortunately I missed this play- do you know if it's available for viewing anywhere?

If there's one thing that's near impossible to come by is video highlights from UWW games. Which sucks

I recorded the game with "WM Recorder" directly from my PC. But, the quality of the video didn't do justice to the catch. I'll try to edit out that play, but no guarantees. 

Did anyone catch the Wabash game? That had to be the clearest, sharpest video production of any I've seen (the announcers weren't students either). Wesley/Linfield was the poorest - (choppy, not enough bandwidth) looked like a .gif pieced together with unmatched still images , followed closely by Salisbury/Kean (watchable but extremely fuzzy; couldn't get any sound); St. Thomas didn't even have video due to some kind of tech issues, I think. UWW was second best, but those announcers need to get a clue - their knowledge of football is seriously lacking. The UWW radio broadcast, unfortunately, hasn't been in sync with the video all year. It was about a minute behind TV time.

[BoBo]

02 Warhawk, time to change your signature line:

Levell Coppage DIII All-time rushing leader countdown watch: 683 yards to #1


Oh, happy 300 +k

[retagent]

Just a note of caution, Salisbury has a great Crease Attack, and a stellar Long Pole Middie.

[BoBo]

FWIW

Salisbury comes in to the Perk with a heavy case of fumble-itis (38 total/17 lost).

QB throws 33% of his comp for TD's (46 comp/15 TD).  Opponents have 11 sacks in 102 attempted passes on the year.  Get to him before he gets to you!

[emma17]

A fun day at the Perk today- Greg Arnold played like another beast middle linebacker that wore the #51 jersey.

UWW and Mt continue to win, but the victories seem harder to come by than in year's past. 

(IMO) I didn't think this UWW game seemed harder than year's past. We dominated on both lines way more than last year against FC. In fact, I don't think this game was much in doubt. I mean FC only got 2 total offense yards in the second half!! How exactly would this victory be harder to come by? Or are you talking about all 12 cumulative victories on the season? When was the last time UWW had a turnover (only 8 in 12 games)?  Mount, on the other hand, hasn't been blowing people away the way they usually do, I would agree. 

I agree Bobo that UWW has been pretty dominant (defensively primarily) these two playoff games- I was speaking to the entire season as far as tougher victories. I could be wrong as I haven't checked stats, but I do think the offense has not put up the type of yardage and sustained drives they did last year. That's not to say they havent played well, just different. If I recall- UWW had two 1,000 yard receivers last year. I don't think they are anywhere close to that this year. But, I also don't think the play calling is the same. I see a more conservative game plan. I'm not complaining though as I'm a big believer in field position and ball control.

Last year, the top two receivers accounted for 151 receptions of the 232 completions (66% of total) - two receivers over 1,000 yards for 15 games.  This year, the top two receivers (Huber & Menzel) account for 104 receptions of the 201 total completions through 12 games (52% of total). Huber lead with 64 catches for 1,033 and with a possible 3 more games to add, could surpass Rusch's 88 receptions and Brandes 1,179 receiving yards, the leaders in each category from last season. Menzel has just under 600 yards on the year. I believe if we make it to the Stagg Bowl, we should have more completions, attempts, per game average (199.2 in 2010; 214.92 this year) and less INT's than last year. So, with three more games possible to add in the stats, I think it's probable to say the passing game has been "different." This years 3rd and 4th receivers (in receptions) Robinson (21) and Ford (24) have as many receptions in 13 games than LC (21) had in 15 games last season as the #3 in catches.  It may turn out to be better than last year overall. The overall pass catching distribution has been better this year. Blanchard's efficiency and completion percentage is down slightly over last year, but by a small margin.

I think you're right about the play calling. But, the receivers this year are not highly experienced, seniors like last year - Huber and Menzel had 13 catches between them last year. We were basically starting over from scratch this year. By the time H & M are seniors, they might be spoken of in the same discussion as the great receivers of the past, too.

UWW is averaging 26 yards less per game this year than last (2010 470.9/gm; 2011 444.9/gm). Pretty close, but the distribution has been a little different.

This is good info Bobo, thanks for doing the research.  Like you said, the numbers show that should UWW make it to the Stagg, the passing numbers could be greater this year.  Maybe it's the lower average per game in rushing that is the difference I'm feeling.  Without backup running backs like Anderson and Stanley it's understandable the average would be lower.

In any event, the numbers don't matter as long as the wins keep coming, so I'll do my best to relax and enjoy. 

[BoBo]

Just a note of caution, Salisbury has a great Crease Attack, and a stellar Long Pole Middie.

As long as they don't give us the "shaft" by doing an "on-the-fly sub" or too many "cup checks!"

[emma17]

FWIW

Salisbury comes in to the Perk with a heavy case of fumble-itis (38 total/17 lost).

QB throws 33% of his comp for TD's (46 comp/15 TD).  Opponents have 11 sacks in 102 attempted passes on the year.  Get to him before he gets to you!

That triple option sure can set up the "oh sh*t it's a pass" play.  I am anxious to see the UWW defense vs this option offense.  I've noticed Arnold has been playing some outside linebacker the last couple of games.  I wonder if we'll go with 4 backers against them. 

[BoBo]

FWIW

Salisbury comes in to the Perk with a heavy case of fumble-itis (38 total/17 lost).

QB throws 33% of his comp for TD's (46 comp/15 TD).  Opponents have 11 sacks in 102 attempted passes on the year.  Get to him before he gets to you!

That triple option sure can set up the "oh sh*t it's a pass" play.  I am anxious to see the UWW defense vs this option offense.   I've noticed Arnold has been playing some outside linebacker the last couple of games.  I wonder if we'll go with 4 backers against them.

If the teams they play every year haven't figured out how to defend this option attack, how the hell is UWW going to figure it out in week?  I think we're doomed.      

[bleedpurple]

Here is a simple explanation of the theory behind the triple option offense.

http://www.coachwyatt.com/veerexplained.html