FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[ncc58]

Some Warhawk fans have used social media to question if UWW quarterback Matt Behrendt makes enough "big plays." Lets take a look.

I don't partake in social media so I don't know exactly what some fans are questioning.  The numbers you listed above surely show Matt has had a heck of a season and some of his stats rank high in the books. 

I saw UWW in person against UWEC. Now, I thought UWEC was pretty bad but Behrendt had pretty good stats. He may have been 30-38, mostly on short passes with good YAC. However, his receivers dropped  few passes and he missed on a couple downfield throws.

The most impressive thing though was Behrendt's escapability. There were several plays where a defender had Behrendt in his sights and Matt seemed to sense him at the last second. Matt would evade him and make a good throw. He would turn a 7-8 yard loss into a 20 yard gain. Last season, this was the reason maybe of the UWW faithful wanted Behrendt to be the starter - his ability to run and make plays. You can only see this effect in person, when you see the defensive end falling to the ground grabbing air while the pass is completed. He reminds me a little bit of Wheaton's Jordan Roberts.

The running game can be strong, Huber and Kumerow are top receivers (I love watching Tyler Huber play, it's a shame injuries have limited his career), but Behrendt's escapability is the part of the UWW offense that I would fear. and this won't show up in the stats.

[hazzben]

Some Warhawk fans have used social media to question if UWW quarterback Matt Behrendt makes enough "big plays." Lets take a look.

Matt's stat line entering Saturday's playoff game vs. Franklin College reads: 215 of 336 for 2,355 yards – just one interception and 29 touchdowns.

To put Behrendt's season statistics in clearer context, all you need to do is take a gander at the Warhawk football record book (single season category)....

His 215 completions ranks 5th all-time.

His 64% completion percentage ranks 5th all-time.

Matt's 29 touchdowns is 3rd all-time behind only Justin Jacobs in 2005 and 2006

Behrendt's 1 interception is tied with Matt Blanchard for first place in the UWW single season record book.

The numbers you listed above surely show Matt has had a heck of a season and some of his stats rank high in the books. 
However, I don't know that the stats you show demonstrate "big plays" necessarily and it probably depends on how the social media users define it.  I don't think of Matt's season to date as one full of "big plays".  I think he has done an excellent job managing the game and protecting the ball, which has allowed UWW to be in position to win every game.   

Data was shared a few pages back showing Matt's average yards per completion- it's not a "big play" type of number, but very respectable indeed.

This was my reaction as well. The number of completions, completion percentage and yards seem to indicate he's an accurate passer completing a lot of short passes. The lack of INT's means he's accurate and a good decision maker. None of those things are a knock. They're all quality traits for a QB and a recipe for winning football when combined with a good ground game and stellar defense. But none of them point to big plays either. His best stat is the TD to INT ratio...and 29 TD's is solid.

One question I'd ask is whether those stats are through 10 games or 11? If through 10, then the TD number is even more impressive and the yardage is solid. If through 11, then the yardage number would be slightly diminished.

All that to say, he's had a really good season. And he's led his team to a 1 seed, undefeated record and the round of 16. Still plenty of time to make the 'big plays' that matter.

[wartknight]

Happy Thanksgiving WIAC. Enjoy the day with family & friends!

[voice]

Some Warhawk fans have used social media to question if UWW quarterback Matt Behrendt makes enough "big plays." Lets take a look.

Matt's stat line entering Saturday's playoff game vs. Franklin College reads: 215 of 336 for 2,355 yards – just one interception and 29 touchdowns.

To put Behrendt's season statistics in clearer context, all you need to do is take a gander at the Warhawk football record book (single season category)....

His 215 completions ranks 5th all-time.

His 64% completion percentage ranks 5th all-time.

Matt's 29 touchdowns is 3rd all-time behind only Justin Jacobs in 2005 and 2006
.
Behrendt's 1 interception is tied with Matt Blanchard for first place in the UWW single season record book.

I published a story tonight (linked below) on my Voices Eye On Football Blog on Behrendt's solid season

http://voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/2013/11/matt-behrendt-major-key-to-uw.html

I don't partake in social media so I don't know exactly what some fans are questioning.  The numbers you listed above surely show Matt has had a heck of a season and some of his stats rank high in the books. 
However, I don't know that the stats you show demonstrate "big plays" necessarily and it probably depends on how the social media users define it.  I don't think of Matt's season to date as one full of "big plays".  I think he has done an excellent job managing the game and protecting the ball, which has allowed UWW to be in position to win every game.   

Data was shared a few pages back showing Matt's average yards per completion- it's not a "big play" type of number, but very respectable indeed.

Happy Thanksgiving everybody. Enjoy the day with family and friends.

As far as "social media" is concerned. Online chat rooms fall under the realm of social media.

Matt Behrendt may not have the huge 70 yard completions that certainly are categorized as "big yardage plays."  My definition of "big plays" are having 29 TD passes thru 11 games... making a play while evading a big pass rush, etc.

I'm just showing the raw statistical numbers showing Matt's season.

I just thought the kid deserved the props!!

[emma17]

Happy Thanksgiving to all posters, all fans, players and coaches.
Some 150 years ago President Lincoln asked us to give thanks to God for the blessings on this country. 

[bleedpurple]

Happy Thanksgiving to all WIAC Board Posters!


1 Chronicles 16:34
Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

[KitchenSink]

Happy Thanksgiving everyone!!

And don't forget your Pick 'ems!   

[badgerwarhawk]

Behrendt's average completion is still a first down.  I'll take that and one interception in 336 attempts any day of the week.  If you had told me Matt would play like he's played this year I probably would have doubted you.  IMO he's still developing and has a great upside.

Hope all of you have a great day.  Packers kicking off, I'm out of here. 

[Pat Coleman]

As far as "social media" is concerned. Online chat rooms fall under the realm of social media.

Then so does talk radio. That's all this is, talk radio in another format.

Folks, have a happy Thanksgiving -- thanks for spending any of it on a D3sports.com site.

[ncc58]

Tony Lucca sang the National Anthem at the UWW-UWEC game. Today, he's the halftime entertainment for the Green Bay-Detroit game.

You can go from D3 to the NFL.

[George Thompson]

Gotch bleed. Well stated and I have no problem with that. I know we are all a bit parochial, and as long as the WIAC and MIAC stay in the top echelon, small variances in strength, either just considering the top teams in each conference, as well as from top to bottom are going to occur. The problem is that their gographic proximity will limit a head to head in the Stagg, barring odd circumstances, though that could well happen this year. In the second week look-ahead by Pat, et al, the numbers tell the story.

Massey projects UW-W over Bethel in the Stagg Bowl this year.  Here is a look at how their bracket plays out. Future projected winners have the numbers highlighted in green:

http://www.masseyratings.com/tourn.php?t=28

Massey's "odds" of winning the Stagg Bowl:

UW-W 36.48%
Bethel  15.74%
North Central 15.67 %
Linfield  13.37%
UMHB  7.72%
Mount Union 5.86%
UW-Platteville 1.79%
Wittenberg 1.51%
Hobart  0.77%
St. John Fisher 0.51%
Wesley 0.48%
Ithaca 0.07%
Wartburg 0.03%
Hampden-Sydney  0.01%
Franklin 0.0%
Rowan  0.0%

Mount Union 6th??? I don't think so.

GT
Go Linfield!

[02 Warhawk]

Behrendt's average completion is still a first down.

So did last year's QB. 

I get what you're saying though. Minimizing risks on the offense has been a big part of Whitewater's game plan so far....and it's worked out.

[HScoach]

When you have a defense like Whitewater has, I'd be VERY careful on offense too.   

[emma17]

Behrendt's average completion is still a first down.

So did last year's QB. 

I get what you're saying though. Minimizing risks on the offense has been a big part of Whitewater's game plan so far....and it's worked out.

I was surprised by that stat 02. Looking at the last few years you can see a trend. 

2013 Yards per Completion:  10.9
2012 Yards per Completion:  11.5
2011 Yards per Completion:  13
2010 Yards per Completion:  13
2009 Yards per Completion:  13.7
I don't think anybody is suggesting Matt isn't performing well or that 29 TD's to 1 Int isn't terrific.  From my perspective, I think it's an interesting question:  Are the benefits of strectching the field more worth the risk of a few more interceptions?   This question is not an attack on Matt in any sense, because I believe his lower average is the result of choice more than ability. 

It's just a question. 

[voice]

My This Week In Warhawk Football-Playoff Edition Podcast is ready to listen to via adjacent link: http://940wfaw.com/play_window.php?audioType=Episode&audioId=6612972