FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

And in third place in the WIAC at 2-4 overall is... Eau Claire. 
This is one difficult conference as shown today. 

[bulk19]

Final UWEC 24 (2-4, 2-1), UWL 9 (2-4, 1-2)

Stats are unofficial stats -

The Blugolds set the tone early, behind a surging offensive line, as their first offensive drive of the game was a nice 80-yard, 11-play drive by the Blugolds, all on the ground, on what was a rainy day in EC... Joe Sweeney rushed for two touchdowns and 154 yards on 29 carries in the first half, as the Blugolds jumped out to a 17-0 lead, taking a 17-3 lead into the locker room... Almost all of his running was between the tackles, and he didn't have any runs with losses in the half... Blugolds played keep away in the half, maintaining a 20:51 to 9:09 time of possession advantage.

Second half was a bit different, as the Eagles were able to hold Sweeney to four carries for just one yard early on, and the Eagles scored a TD on its third possession in the third quarter to make things interesting, at 17-9 (PAT blocked). It came after a 10-yard punt return that put the ball on the 'Golds 37-yard line, when the Eagles mounted a nice 5-play drive, including a 24-yard pass play to Jake Welch, capped by a one-yard run by QB Andy Sires for the TD.... Welch had a nice day, with four catches for 50+ yards total...

The Eagles fumbled on the first play of the 4th quarter, and the 'Golds recovered, to set up a 6-play, 37-yard drive, capped by Sweeney's third TD run of the day, a 6-yarder... Gave the 'Golds, now up 24-9, a bit of breathing room, as the Eagles then drove on the next possession to the UWEC 10 yard line.... On a 4th and 6 from the 10, Sires completed a short pass for three yards, but the Blugolds were able to swarm and prevent the first down...

The Eagles D forced a 3-and-out on EC's next possession, but the Golds' intercepted just their second pass on the season, a tipped ball at the line of scrimmage, to basically ice the game... UWEC's defense was able to get some crucial pass rush pressure throughout the game when it needed it...

UWEC has won six straight at home against the Eagles now, a streak dating back to 1999... Sweeney is bigger that all of the Eagle starters on the Eagles' D line... Eagles had three turnovers, two of which lead to 10 Blugold points; EC had none.... Neither team tried to stretch the field; I believe the Eagles took one shot down the field late in the game, but it fell incomplete...

Key Stats: Sweeney had 41 carries for 185 yards. Austin Neu added some key scambles to pick up first downs and managed 74 yards on 14 carries... The passing attack for UWEC was ugly; 57 yards on 4 of 12 attempts...Sires was 15 of 30 for 124 yards...

UWL had a decent running game when it did so (146 yards net), with Dillon Bean (12 for 64) and Jared Stan (14 for 62) each having a couple of nice runs... Just a matter of not being able to sustain drives and move the chains; Eagles converted 5 of 14 on third down, plus had the three turnovers...
EC controlled the clock - 36:29 to 23:31, which left the Eagles D perhaps gassed, as the Golds pounded Sweeney on them... Christian Hallingstad had another terrific day punting for UWL, proving
his preseason selection as an All-American is justified, as he averaged 49.2 yards on six boots, including a pair of 60+ punts...

Eau Claire travels to Point next week; the Eagles host Stout...

I watched the game on WXOW out of La Crosse; it was refreshing not seeing the stupid professional soccer match scores or the NFL fantasy football crawlers on the bottom of the screen, which never show my players, anyway....  Also, it's neat to be able to hear the crowd in the background of the telecast, too. Good job by the play-by-play guys on the call...

[bleedpurple]

Thanks for the great summary, Bulk.  Sounds like Eau Claire won a smash mouth type game. And Sweeney, 29 carries in the FIRST HALF! Now THAT is a workhorse!!

[stoutguy]

Nice compliment, BP!

stoutguy--will you be there for the Stout/RF  game in 2 weeks?

Yes and I was at the RF/Stout game the first time too.  My halftime guest was Todd Strop and if you had been there we could have tried to duplicate our after game heroics of years gone by. 

[bleedpurple]

In Conference play so far, UW-W has allowed 18 yards rushing in 67 attempts.

[couchp54]

I don't know the exact reasoning but the WARHAWKS were allowed to leave Friday.  My understanding is that it had something to do with the marching band competition being held at Perkins Stadium today.  However they only drove to Madison where they stayed overnight.  Ate in Eau Claire and arrived at Stout at noon.

The travel rule was instituted for economic reasons at the same time the in conference nonconference game was mandated by the commissioner. 

Stout was held to 6 net yards rushing.

Anybody know where to find the actual rule so I can read it?  Makes no sense.  Talking to some people at Blugold game, they say Blugolds have traveled in the last couple years and nobody knew what I was talking about.  And UWW was "allowed" to travel because of a marching band competition?  Allowed by whom? I guess I can't understand what that has to do with football.  I'm just curious because you guys seem to know what you're talking about, yet the parents sitting next to me knew when their kids traveled and were not aware of this at all.  They thought I was all wet.  Which I was   

[fredfalcon]

My understanding is that the limited travel/no overnight rule did have to do with lack of funds. That was the interpretation given/explained by the UWRF administration when the rule was first implemented a few years ago.

[Brian Carroll]

bulk19 has provided a fine summary of today's game in Eau Claire. Sweeney is a load, and the quick but small Eagle defense had trouble with him, esp. in the first quarter. The La Crosse offense continues to struggle, and we are in danger of the season going south on us.   

[badgerwarhawk]

I don't know the exact reasoning but the WARHAWKS were allowed to leave Friday.  My understanding is that it had something to do with the marching band competition being held at Perkins Stadium today.  However they only drove to Madison where they stayed overnight.  Ate in Eau Claire and arrived at Stout at noon.

The travel rule was instituted for economic reasons at the same time the in conference nonconference game was mandated by the commissioner. 

Stout was held to 6 net yards rushing.

Anybody know where to find the actual rule so I can read it?  Makes no sense.  Talking to some people at Blugold game, they say Blugolds have traveled in the last couple years and nobody knew what I was talking about.  And UWW was "allowed" to travel because of a marching band competition?  Allowed by whom? I guess I can't understand what that has to do with football.  I'm just curious because you guys seem to know what you're talking about, yet the parents sitting next to me knew when their kids traveled and were not aware of this at all.  They thought I was all wet.  Which I was   

You have to get permission from the conference commissioner.  My understanding is that the rule only applies to games between conference opponents whether they are conference games or the nonconference game between conference programs also mandated by the commissioner's office.  Fortunately this is the last year for that though I don't know whether the travel rule will continue or not.  My hunch is that it probably will continue because those programs for who it would be a financial burden feel that it gives their opponents an advantage.  Instead they prefer the advantage gained by making their opponent travel on game day.      

[retagent]

Thanks for the kind words regarding Coach Gagliardi over on the MIAC board bleed. It's a tough year and it has dampened my enthusiasm for the usual banter. It's knowing that behind the jabs, there is a mutual respect that makes these boards what they are. Good luck against UWO.

[Barber Greene]

Kudos to Mr. Brekke.  He played quite well yesterday. Made some really nice throws. Nice to see Zach Howard back on the field.  That is bound to be a big help to the receiving corps.  I remember a couple of years ago that we were talking about what a great receiver he would be before he got hurt.

[WarhawkDad]

Kudos to Mr. Brekke.  He played quite well yesterday. Made some really nice throws. Nice to see Zach Howard back on the field.  That is bound to be a big help to the receiving corps.  I remember a couple of years ago that we were talking about what a great receiver he would be before he got hurt.

And his impact on punt and kick returns has and will continue to have an impact on field position.

Great to have him back.

WHD

[emma17]

Kudos to Mr. Brekke.  He played quite well yesterday. Made some really nice throws. Nice to see Zach Howard back on the field.  That is bound to be a big help to the receiving corps.  I remember a couple of years ago that we were talking about what a great receiver he would be before he got hurt.

And his impact on punt and kick returns has and will continue to have an impact on field position.

Great to have him back.

WHD

WD I know you watch the line play closely. Whenever there was a good camera angle I tried to focus on the blocking. From the plays I saw, I felt this was their best effort to date. How did you see it?
I was also fortunate to key #65 a couple times when the play came his way and there was no doubt he won the battle at the line.

[bleedpurple]

Thanks for the kind words regarding Coach Gagliardi over on the MIAC board bleed. It's a tough year and it has dampened my enthusiasm for the usual banter. It's knowing that behind the jabs, there is a mutual respect that makes these boards what they are. Good luck against UWO.

Absolutely. I meant every single word.  And the jabs are just banter.  Like sitting in a bar going back and forth with a friend who follows the other team. Sparring about sports is fun, but from time to time it's good to use the forum to show that underlying respect.  Coach G. has earned more kind words than any of us could give him combined. Good luck to the Johnnies the rest of the way as well.

[cubs]

Well Saturday's game is now a battle of Top 10 teams, as Oshkosh moves up to #10 following their victory over Platteville.  Whitewater holds strong at #5, while Platteville drops to #20.