FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[emma17]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

[UWO Titan 78]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

The Rolling Meadows Mustangs (here in the NW suburbs of Chicago) have two RBs averaging over 10 yards a carry. I'd like to say its all because of the center on that team, but they are really talented backs. I know they are on the Oshkosh recruiting radar. Maybe Whitewater should be interested. We're known for QBs at RM (and not just Jimmy G), but we can run the ball too.

[emma17]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

The Rolling Meadows Mustangs (here in the NW suburbs of Chicago) have two RBs averaging over 10 yards a carry. I'd like to say its all because of the center on that team, but they are really talented backs. I know they are on the Oshkosh recruiting radar. Maybe Whitewater should be interested. We're known for QBs at RM (and not just Jimmy G), but we can run the ball too.

Those kids had great youth football coaching- and greater high school coaching. 👍

[WW]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

Odd, but hardly symptomatic of a problem.

[BoBo]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 16+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Start with an overrated OL - they are simply not as good as past years. You'd think with their size, they would be able to open up holes in the running game - but it doesn't happen. Evan against that grade school team two weeks ago, there weren't many holes to run through. Skill level just isn't where it's been in the past. On Sat. that size eventually just wore the Eagle D down in the second half. Every yard a RB gains is earned on their own. When there is a lane to run through, the OL is usually flagged for holding. How many holding penalties have they have? I haven't counted, but it seems like an awful lot. Major penalties in general are on the rise this year - very undisciplined team.

[emma17]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

Odd, but hardly symptomatic of a problem.

I'd like to be as certain as you.
If you were a coach wouldn't these numbers be of interest to at least look into, especially after a 69 yard first half?
What are the contributing factors to long runs?
Initial defensive alignment?
Aggressive 2nd and 3rd level defensive run support?
Blocking at point of attack?
Blocking at 2nd level?
Blocking at 3rd level, typically receivers?
Running back vision?
Running back open field running ability?
Running back feet/knee lift?
Possible fear of fumbling if trying to make a play?

In 18 of the 30 games I looked at there were 23 runs of 25 yards or more, that's big play momentum that permeates team attitude.

[BoBo]

Kumerow on the radio with an Oshkosh guy (Mike Heller) and La Crosse guy (Bill Schroeder)

https://www.whby.com/2018/10/01/in-the-huddle-100118-jake-kumerow/

Jake interview starts at the 9:35 mark.

[badgerwarhawk]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in ‘14 and UWSP in ‘13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that’s odd.

Odd, but hardly symptomatic of a problem.

I’d like to be as certain as you.
If you were a coach wouldn’t these numbers be of interest to at least look into, especially after a 69 yard first half?
What are the contributing factors to long runs?
Initial defensive alignment?
Aggressive 2nd and 3rd level defensive run support?
Blocking at point of attack?
Blocking at 2nd level?
Blocking at 3rd level, typically receivers?
Running back vision?
Running back open field running ability?
Running back feet/knee lift?
Possible fear of fumbling if trying to make a play?

In 18 of the 30 games I looked at there were 23 runs of 25 yards or more, that’s big play momentum that permeates team attitude.

Do you have to have multiple 20+ yard runs to have an effective running game?

The first drive of the second half resulted in a touchdown.  Admittedly a passing touchdown because the holding penalty put us in a hole.  The longest run on that drive was 9 yards.  The drive consumed over half of the period and essentially set the tone for the entire second half.  A bunch of short gains consumes more time.  Time your opponent's offense is sitting on the sideline.  You could argue that an extended drive consisting of shorter runs not only wears your opponent down but demoralizes them when time after time they can not stop you.  That also gives you momentum and confidence. 

I don't have anything against long runs but regardless of their length if a run game gets us into the end zone I don't really care how many yards we gain on any single one of them.

[UWO Titan 78]

Titans/Warhawks: These teams have split the last 6 match-ups. I don't think the game will look like last year's when the teams combined for 57 points. These are probably the two best defenses in the conference and two of the best in the country. Like it does most years, this game will come down to who wins the battle in the trenches and, likely, who protects the football better. The Titans offense has improved. Radavich looks more comfortable and has been efficient. The running game has been average (3.6 ypc), but it looked better last week. Perhaps they are settling in. This team still doesn't have the "wow" athletes that will win one-on-one battles every play. This team will need to move the ball with a methodical, controlled approach. I don't know if they can do that with any consistency against the Warhawks, but I don't think the Titans will waver from their game plan. I think they will be happy to punt the ball and rely on their defense, rather than try to be something they're not at this point. I think it will be Coach Cerroni's goal to make this a four-quarter game and try to steal a win in the 4th quarter. I think the Warhawks are more talented. Last year was the first time I really thought the Titans had more talent on the field than the Warhawks, and that resulted in a 37-point offensive effort for the Titans. I don't think that will happen this time. However, that being said, I have faith in the Titan coaching staff. They won't lose this game because they got outcoached. The Titans will be prepared and ready. This game very well could come down to the kicking game, and both teams have been solid. This should be a 17-14 game one way or the other. This is the Titans fifth road trip of the season. I expect a huge crowd of Warhawk faithful. The home field advantage could prove to be the difference. I can't wait to watch it ... oh wait, my daughter has her conference tennis meet. 

[WW]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

Odd, but hardly symptomatic of a problem.

I'd like to be as certain as you.
If you were a coach wouldn't these numbers be of interest to at least look into, especially after a 69 yard first half?
What are the contributing factors to long runs?
Initial defensive alignment?
Aggressive 2nd and 3rd level defensive run support?
Blocking at point of attack?
Blocking at 2nd level?
Blocking at 3rd level, typically receivers?
Running back vision?
Running back open field running ability?
Running back feet/knee lift?
Possible fear of fumbling if trying to make a play?

In 18 of the 30 games I looked at there were 23 runs of 25 yards or more, that's big play momentum that permeates team attitude.

Speed? Scheme? More two-back sets then, than now? A lead blocker out of the backfield usually makes a second-level block. But again, where's the problem? 400+ yards of offense, nearly 200 yards rushing, vs a nationally ranked team. I think the missed PAT merits greater angst.

I wouldn't expect any long runs this weekend either.

[02 Warhawk]

I'm a big fan of UWW running back Alex Peete (and Ponick too). Alex had 27 carries against UWL and his longest gain was 9 yards. He's had 81 carries in the season, with a longest gain of 16 yards. I think this is unusual. I've looked back a bit at some previous years and it's really hard to find a game where a UWW running back didn't have at least one run of 17+ yards- every game.

I'm sure there are many reasons.

Continuing this conversation (with myself), UWW played 30 games in 2013 and 2014, regular season and playoffs. In only 2 of those games did a UWW running back not have at least 1 run of 17 or more yards (UWO in '14 and UWSP in '13). They played some great teams in that stretch.
In 2018- all 4 games (incl Club team), not one running back w a carry of 17 or more yards.

Come on, that's odd.

Odd, but hardly symptomatic of a problem.

I'd like to be as certain as you.
If you were a coach wouldn't these numbers be of interest to at least look into, especially after a 69 yard first half?
What are the contributing factors to long runs?
Initial defensive alignment?
Aggressive 2nd and 3rd level defensive run support?
Blocking at point of attack?
Blocking at 2nd level?
Blocking at 3rd level, typically receivers?
Running back vision?
Running back open field running ability?
Running back feet/knee lift?
Possible fear of fumbling if trying to make a play?

In 18 of the 30 games I looked at there were 23 runs of 25 yards or more, that's big play momentum that permeates team attitude.

Speed? Scheme? More two-back sets then, than now? A lead blocker out of the backfield usually makes a second-level block. But again, where's the problem? 400+ yards of offense, nearly 200 yards rushing, vs a nationally ranked team. I think the missed PAT merits greater angst.

I wouldn't expect any long runs this weekend either.

I suppose getting 174 yards rushing as a team is good. However, it took 48 attempts to get there, which is not so good (3.6 per carry). I feel just about any team can do that against an average defense. I get what emma is saying though. Peete seems like he can be a very elusive back, but his stats suggest he really isn't (yet).

Prolonged drives are nice, only when they result in points. I would much rather see large gains on multiple drives, resulting in scoring in bunches. That recipe seemed to work out just fine when UWW was making annual Stagg Bowl trips. 

[emma17]

The big run issue for me is certainly more intuitive. BW and WW don't see it as a concern. I will trust my instincts and stick with the idea that it is certainly a concern, as long as we are looking at UWW as a national champion contender and not simply as a team competing to win the WIAC.

Some Facts:
-UWW was held without a TD in the first half at UWL, gaining only 69 yards.
-UWW was held scoreless in the second half vs. Concordia, gaining only 119 yards.
-UWW is averaging 3.65 yards per carry against D3 competition.   
-Every team (except Brockport at 19 yards) in the Top 12 (I stopped looking after that) has had at least one RB carry of 20 yards or more, in nearly every game they played. UWW has none.

Moving from intuitive to statistical, I came across an interesting article on big plays (I need Hansen's help in deciphering, but I get the gist that the more efficient an offense, the more explosive plays it will have). A quote is below, as well as a link. Some statistics folks may find it interesting.

Big plays are probably the single most important factor to winning football games. The team more adept at creating numbers advantages and getting a guy into the open field, or the team that can simply outman its opponent and win one-on-one battles will almost certainly generate more big plays and win more games.

Nothing is more demoralizing than giving up a 20-play, 80-yard, nine-minute drive. But unless your team is Navy, that doesn't happen too often. Defensive coaches often teach their squads the concept of leverage — prevent the ball-carrier from getting the outside lane, steer him to the middle, make the tackle, and live to play another down. It is the bend-don't-break style of defense, and it often works because if you give the offense enough opportunities, they might eventually make a drive-killing mistake, especially at the collegiate level. If you allow them 40 yards in one play, their likelihood of making a drive-killing mistake plummets.

Article: https://www-footballstudyhall-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.footballstudyhall.com/platform/amp/2017/8/22/16075050/college-football-big-plays-efficiency-five-factors?amp_js_v=0.1&usqp=mq331AQGCAEoATgA#origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&prerenderSize=1&visibilityState=prerender&paddingTop=54&p2r=0&horizontalScrolling=0&csi=1&aoh=15384915237478&viewerUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Famp%2Fs%2Fwww.footballstudyhall.com%2Fplatform%2Famp%2F2017%2F8%2F22%2F16075050%2Fcollege-football-big-plays-efficiency-five-factors&history=1&storage=1&cid=1&cap=swipe%2CnavigateTo%2Ccid%2Cfragment%2CreplaceUrl

[WW]

The big run issue for me is certainly more intuitive. BW and WW don't see it as a concern. I will trust my instincts and stick with the idea that it is certainly a concern, as long as we are looking at UWW as a national champion contender and not simply as a team competing to win the WIAC.

Some Facts:
-UWW was held without a TD in the first half at UWL, gaining only 69 yards.
-UWW was held scoreless in the second half vs. Concordia, gaining only 119 yards.
-UWW is averaging 3.65 yards per carry against D3 competition.   
-Every team (except Brockport at 19 yards) in the Top 12 (I stopped looking after that) has had at least one RB carry of 20 yards or more, in nearly every game they played. UWW has none.

Moving from intuitive to statistical, I came across an interesting article on big plays (I need Hansen's help in deciphering, but I get the gist that the more efficient an offense, the more explosive plays it will have). A quote is below, as well as a link. Some statistics folks may find it interesting.

Big plays are probably the single most important factor to winning football games. The team more adept at creating numbers advantages and getting a guy into the open field, or the team that can simply outman its opponent and win one-on-one battles will almost certainly generate more big plays and win more games.

Nothing is more demoralizing than giving up a 20-play, 80-yard, nine-minute drive. But unless your team is Navy, that doesn't happen too often. Defensive coaches often teach their squads the concept of leverage — prevent the ball-carrier from getting the outside lane, steer him to the middle, make the tackle, and live to play another down. It is the bend-don't-break style of defense, and it often works because if you give the offense enough opportunities, they might eventually make a drive-killing mistake, especially at the collegiate level. If you allow them 40 yards in one play, their likelihood of making a drive-killing mistake plummets.

Article: https://www-footballstudyhall-com.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.footballstudyhall.com/platform/amp/2017/8/22/16075050/college-football-big-plays-efficiency-five-factors?amp_js_v=0.1&usqp=mq331AQGCAEoATgA#origin=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&prerenderSize=1&visibilityState=prerender&paddingTop=54&p2r=0&horizontalScrolling=0&csi=1&aoh=15384915237478&viewerUrl=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com%2Famp%2Fs%2Fwww.footballstudyhall.com%2Fplatform%2Famp%2F2017%2F8%2F22%2F16075050%2Fcollege-football-big-plays-efficiency-five-factors&history=1&storage=1&cid=1&cap=swipe%2CnavigateTo%2Ccid%2Cfragment%2CreplaceUrl

That's compelling evidence, Emma. Maybe they're not explosive-play capable on the ground. I'm not sure they're very explosive-play capable through the air either, although they've managed a couple. In any case, you've convinced me that Oshkosh should be favored by a touchdown Saturday.

[wally_wabash]

Wabash had five players last week have single rushes for 19 yards or more.  When do I place my order for Stagg Bowl swag?   

[02 Warhawk]

Wabash had five players last week have single rushes for 19 yards or more.  When do I place my order for Stagg Bowl swag?   

I would hold off until the Wittenberg game