FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[02 Warhawk]

A curious stat.
For some reason I checked out the Box Score of the Stagg Bowl. Take a look at the totals for tackles:
Mt. Union:  50 Solo, 40 Assists, 90 Total.
UWW:        51 Solo, 6   Assists, 57 Total.
Incompletions play a big role in the ratio of total tackles : # of plays, but the Assists numbers are what really surprised me.   

Something seems amiss to me, but I would have to watch the game with this in mind.  The assists for UW-W seem absurdly low. Without re-looking at the game, assuming this is true, the combination of factors I can think of include:

1. Lots of man to man coverage (Grayvold and McLin were leading tacklers).
2. Lots of sideline passes that defensive backs pushed the receiver out of bounds.
3. A lot of outside runs where, again, the defender pushed runner out of bounds.
4. Exceptional tackling by UW-W, where first tackler made the tackle before help arrived.
5. Mount had some decent kickoff returns, I think. Maybe after returner broke first wave, he hit the sideline?
6. Lake Bachar! 

7.  We had 88 plays (rushing, passing, kickoff, punt, interception) on which a tackle could be made.  Mount Union had 65.

That is a very shocking stat considering how fast UWW can be getting to the ball on defense. Since Mount was playing from behind most of the game, it's safe to say they would call more pass plays...which would lead to more one-on-one tackles by our d-backs. On the flip side, UWW (protecting the lead) would - in theory - run more which would lead to more team tackling by Mount's front six. Perhaps?

[bleedpurple]

A curious stat.
For some reason I checked out the Box Score of the Stagg Bowl. Take a look at the totals for tackles:
Mt. Union:  50 Solo, 40 Assists, 90 Total.
UWW:        51 Solo, 6   Assists, 57 Total.
Incompletions play a big role in the ratio of total tackles : # of plays, but the Assists numbers are what really surprised me.   

Something seems amiss to me, but I would have to watch the game with this in mind.  The assists for UW-W seem absurdly low. Without re-looking at the game, assuming this is true, the combination of factors I can think of include:

1. Lots of man to man coverage (Grayvold and McLin were leading tacklers).
2. Lots of sideline passes that defensive backs pushed the receiver out of bounds.
3. A lot of outside runs where, again, the defender pushed runner out of bounds.
4. Exceptional tackling by UW-W, where first tackler made the tackle before help arrived.
5. Mount had some decent kickoff returns, I think. Maybe after returner broke first wave, he hit the sideline?
6. Lake Bachar! 

7.  We had 88 plays (rushing, passing, kickoff, punt, interception) on which a tackle could be made.  Mount Union had 65.

That is a very shocking stat considering how fast UWW can be getting to the ball on defense. Since Mount was playing from behind most of the game, it's safe to say they would call more pass plays...which would lead to more one-on-one tackles by our d-backs. On the flip side, UWW (protecting the lead) would - in theory - run more which would lead to more team tackling by Mount's front six. Perhaps?

Here are the number of assisted tackles by UW-W game by game:

Linfield: 20
Wartburg: 23
Wabash: 24
Macalester: 24
River Falls: 6
Stevens Point: 12
Platteville: 32
Oshkosh: 38
Eau Claire: 2
Stout: 30
LaCrosse: 10
New Jersey: 36
Franklin: 16
Waldorf: 30

Good luck finding any definitive trends in these results! Wow. The only theory I could come up with (which obviously has nothing to do with the Stagg Bowl stats) is that different official scorers will score assists and solos differently.  But in the Stagg Bowl, Mount's number was extraordinarily high and UW-W's was extremely low.

So, we are talking number of assisted tackles in the Stagg Bowl. Can you tell it's March?  Wow, long off-season already or what?

[emma17]

A curious stat.
For some reason I checked out the Box Score of the Stagg Bowl. Take a look at the totals for tackles:
Mt. Union:  50 Solo, 40 Assists, 90 Total.
UWW:        51 Solo, 6   Assists, 57 Total.
Incompletions play a big role in the ratio of total tackles : # of plays, but the Assists numbers are what really surprised me.   

Something seems amiss to me, but I would have to watch the game with this in mind.  The assists for UW-W seem absurdly low. Without re-looking at the game, assuming this is true, the combination of factors I can think of include:

1. Lots of man to man coverage (Grayvold and McLin were leading tacklers).
2. Lots of sideline passes that defensive backs pushed the receiver out of bounds.
3. A lot of outside runs where, again, the defender pushed runner out of bounds.
4. Exceptional tackling by UW-W, where first tackler made the tackle before help arrived.
5. Mount had some decent kickoff returns, I think. Maybe after returner broke first wave, he hit the sideline?
6. Lake Bachar! 

7.  We had 88 plays (rushing, passing, kickoff, punt, interception) on which a tackle could be made.  Mount Union had 65.

That is a very shocking stat considering how fast UWW can be getting to the ball on defense. Since Mount was playing from behind most of the game, it's safe to say they would call more pass plays...which would lead to more one-on-one tackles by our d-backs. On the flip side, UWW (protecting the lead) would - in theory - run more which would lead to more team tackling by Mount's front six. Perhaps?

Here are the number of assisted tackles by UW-W game by game:

Linfield: 20
Wartburg: 23
Wabash: 24
Macalester: 24
River Falls: 6
Stevens Point: 12
Platteville: 32
Oshkosh: 38
Eau Claire: 2
Stout: 30
LaCrosse: 10
New Jersey: 36
Franklin: 16
Waldorf: 30

Good luck finding any definitive trends in these results! Wow. The only theory I could come up with (which obviously has nothing to do with the Stagg Bowl stats) is that different official scorers will score assists and solos differently.  But in the Stagg Bowl, Mount's number was extraordinarily high and UW-W's was extremely low.

So, we are talking number of assisted tackles in the Stagg Bowl. Can you tell it's March?  Wow, long off-season already or what?

It passes the time.
Another theory could be the running QB within the read option offense. Gang tackling a RB is more common than gang tackling a QB that kept it and ran. The most nimble (shifty) QB's, IMO, were from Mt Union and River Falls.
Also- Mt got the ball out in space often- allowing their athletes to make plays in open field.
Not sure on all of it though.

[02 Warhawk]

'Tis official.....

http://uwwsports.com/news/2015/3/6/FB_0306155857.aspx

[KitchenSink]

Seems like a pretty good group of assistants.  Hope the whole comes together soon.

[emma17]

'Tis official.....

http://uwwsports.com/news/2015/3/6/FB_0306155857.aspx

Fantastic.
I'm thrilled as an alum and fan and wish all of them the very best.

[hazzben]

Word is UW-Whitewater's 2015 schedule is close to be finalized. Still waiting for the contract to be signed where I believe the Warhawks will open the season in Sioux City, IA vs 2014 NAIA national semifinalist Morningside College

Bummer it couldn't have been this year. Would have been fun to see Brandon Wegher (RB transfer from Iowa) up against the UWW defense!

[BoBo]

A curious stat.
For some reason I checked out the Box Score of the Stagg Bowl. Take a look at the totals for tackles:
Mt. Union:  50 Solo, 40 Assists, 90 Total.
UWW:        51 Solo, 6   Assists, 57 Total.
Incompletions play a big role in the ratio of total tackles : # of plays, but the Assists numbers are what really surprised me.   

Something seems amiss to me, but I would have to watch the game with this in mind.  The assists for UW-W seem absurdly low. Without re-looking at the game, assuming this is true, the combination of factors I can think of include:

1. Lots of man to man coverage (Grayvold and McLin were leading tacklers).
2. Lots of sideline passes that defensive backs pushed the receiver out of bounds.
3. A lot of outside runs where, again, the defender pushed runner out of bounds.
4. Exceptional tackling by UW-W, where first tackler made the tackle before help arrived.
5. Mount had some decent kickoff returns, I think. Maybe after returner broke first wave, he hit the sideline?
6. Lake Bachar! 

7.  We had 88 plays (rushing, passing, kickoff, punt, interception) on which a tackle could be made.  Mount Union had 65.

That is a very shocking stat considering how fast UWW can be getting to the ball on defense. Since Mount was playing from behind most of the game, it's safe to say they would call more pass plays...which would lead to more one-on-one tackles by our d-backs. On the flip side, UWW (protecting the lead) would - in theory - run more which would lead to more team tackling by Mount's front six. Perhaps?

Here are the number of assisted tackles by UW-W game by game:

Linfield: 20
Wartburg: 23
Wabash: 24
Macalester: 24
River Falls: 6
Stevens Point: 12
Platteville: 32
Oshkosh: 38
Eau Claire: 2
Stout: 30
LaCrosse: 10
New Jersey: 36
Franklin: 16
Waldorf: 30

Good luck finding any definitive trends in these results! Wow. The only theory I could come up with (which obviously has nothing to do with the Stagg Bowl stats) is that different official scorers will score assists and solos differently.  But in the Stagg Bowl, Mount's number was extraordinarily high and UW-W's was extremely low.

So, we are talking number of assisted tackles in the Stagg Bowl. Can you tell it's March?  Wow, long off-season already or what?

It passes the time.
Another theory could be the running QB within the read option offense. Gang tackling a RB is more common than gang tackling a QB that kept it and ran. The most nimble (shifty) QB's, IMO, were from Mt Union and River Falls.
Also- Mt got the ball out in space often- allowing their athletes to make plays in open field.
Not sure on all of it though.

In response to your curiosity on the assisted tackles, I took it upon myself to re-watch the Stagg Bowl from the ESPN broadcast and double check the tackling info on the official play-by-play.  This is what I've concluded:

1.  Because the tv cameras change view so quickly following a play, it is impossible to determine with 100% certainty if the solo's and assist's credited on the play by play are correct. I started to record what I was seeing, as if I were the official scorer, but by the middle of the first quarter it was clear to me that I would need a different video, to really be able to get each play in it's entirety and ultimately determine the correctness of the play by play stats. By the middle of the 4th quarter, I forgot about tackles and was just simply enjoying another Stagg Bowl victory over Mount.

2.  I did notice a trend that Mount was getting assisted tackles on the p-b-p chart that I felt, as a scorer, probably didn't warrant an assist. They either made contact but didn't assist in bringing down the player with the ball or came too late and wasn't really necessary since the ball carrier was already on the way down. I personally don't care for stats that can't be measureable by something other than by a person making a judgment call.

3.  Mount receivers really didn't like contact. How many time did Mount's WR's and even Burke himself just run out of bounds to avoid contact?  The only time they ran with the ball was when Burke hit them in stride. Thankfully, that wasn't often enough for Mount to make a difference. I was surprised by this when I re-watched. Check it out for yourself. Plus how many time did Mount's receiver have to go up or to the turf to make a catch? Burke was really erratic all day and until you see him throw, you don't really totally appreciate a guy like Behrendt, who can really zip a ball in a tight space. I think if MB can make it three years in the NFL, a guy like the second Matt has a chance, too. He's a little shorter in height and needs more in the weight room, but... Anyway, a little off topic. I think it contributed in making the solo tackle numbers where they were. Who receives a tackle if a player runs out of bounds or falls to the turf without contact? The defender nearest the play? BTW is there another QB in the wings with the initials MB? Those two letters have been good to us!!

4.  Moore and Ratliffe were totally bruisers in this game. One guy couldn't bring them down, which contributed to so many assisted tackles on the day, but as I said in #1, I still think they were getting too many. On the other hand, UWW did a much better job of tackling with the first contact. Of course, there were a few plays where Nemuth (sp) broke a few and Burke on a couple scrambles and designed runs, but overall the first Warhawk making contact did the bulk of the work and Mount didn't run the ball much so the gang tackling thing wasn't present all that often (which was already mentioned).

[BoBo]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

[Kira & Jaxon's Dad]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

I believe lineman are allowed downfield as long as the pass is behind the line of scrimmage.

[KitchenSink]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

I believe lineman are allowed downfield as long as the pass is behind the line of scrimmage.

That is the rule in high school football.  Not sure if college has a similar rule.

[bleedpurple]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

I believe lineman are allowed downfield as long as the pass is behind the line of scrimmage.

That is the rule in high school football.  Not sure if college has a similar rule.

Yes, the penalty applies to passes that have crossed the neutral zone.

From the 2014 NCAA rulebook:

"ARTICLE 10. No originally ineligible receiver shall be or have been more than
three yards beyond the neutral zone until a legal forward pass that crosses the
neutral zone has been thrown (A.R. 7-3-10-I and II)'

[BoBo]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

I believe lineman are allowed downfield as long as the pass is behind the line of scrimmage.

On further review, Moore was 1 yard behind the LOS when he caught the pass...so nevermind about the whole thing. 

[emma17]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

I believe lineman are allowed downfield as long as the pass is behind the line of scrimmage.

On further review, Moore was 1 yard behind the LOS when he caught the pass...so nevermind about the whole thing. 

Along these same lines- I'm curious as to your thoughts and other's thoughts as to the Mt TD pass to Meacham that was dislodged in the end zone.

[KitchenSink]

Just read that the NCAA's Playing Rules Oversight Panel has tabled a proposal to move the illegal receiver downfield threshold from three yards to one. The proposal from the NCAA Football Rules Committee would have allowed ineligible receivers not engaged with an opponent to advance only 1 yard past the line of scrimmage at the time a pass is released. It is the same rule used in the NFL. Found this interesting because when I re-watched the '14 Stagg Bowl the other night, I noticed UWW had at least 2 o-lineman well past 3 yards downfield when Behrendt released the ball without engaging a Mount defender on the Moore 75 yd TD screen pass. They were both looking around for someone to block and no one was near them. I don't think they touched anyone now that I think about it. I believe it was Peters, in fact, who was at least 6 yards into the secondary when the pass was released. That key play, just after Mount had taken their first lead in the game, should have been flagged and taken back. I'm quite surprised that no one saw it - especially the ESPN announcers or any of the smart guys on this website.

Among the rule changes approved for 2015 that I like is a 15-yard unsportsmanlike foul will be called on players who push or pull opponents off piles – for example, after fumbles. I think it's well overdue.

I believe lineman are allowed downfield as long as the pass is behind the line of scrimmage.

On further review, Moore was 1 yard behind the LOS when he caught the pass...so nevermind about the whole thing. 

Yeah, I saw that, too.  I hold down the Linesman position on Friday nights and that's a prime responsibility.   Hold the line, watch the linemen coming off and where a screen gets completed.  So that was right in my wheelhouse.


I had it as NO CATCH, emma.  But I admit some bias ......