FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[BoBo]

Kumerow takes an onside kick attempt by RF to the house. Before crossing the goal line turns and points a finger at the falcon trailing him, gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ball goes back to the 17 yard line. Next play UWW scores on a 19 yard run.

Hope he gets his ass chewed out for that stunt. What a punk move.

If wouldn't be season without an ugly win against UWRF.

Where's the discipline on this team that Bullis preaches before every game? FFS

But hey 02, all that really matters is we're 7-0. How we get there isn't important.

[WW]

Herink has 32 catches over the last two games. It's good to be 6-8. He's a long shot, as all WIACers are, but wouldnt shock to see him playing next-level football.

[badgerwarhawk]

Kumerow takes an onside kick attempt by RF to the house. Before crossing the goal line turns and points a finger at the falcon trailing him, gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ball goes back to the 17 yard line. Next play UWW scores on a 19 yard run.

Hope he gets his ass chewed out for that stunt. What a punk move.

If wouldn’t be season without an ugly win against UWRF.

Where’s the discipline on this team that Bullis preaches before every game? FFS

But hey 02, all that really matters is we're 7-0. How we get there isn't important.

The penalties were really frustrating today.  What made it not quite as bad to stomach is that we were able to overcome so many of them.  The odds of that happening against a good defense probably aren't good.  Today we finished with 13 for 155 yards.  Luckily we won despite our sloppiness.  That many penalties are totally unacceptable.  Two weeks ago we had 5/41 and last week 1/5.   I don't know why today was so bad after two weeks that overall were pretty good.  I couldn't see that we were doing anything that different than last week but maybe you could.  I've admitted not knowing why but I'm confident it isn't because the staff hasn't made it a priority. 

It worked for two weeks why do you think it didn't today? 

[BoBo]

Kumerow takes an onside kick attempt by RF to the house. Before crossing the goal line turns and points a finger at the falcon trailing him, gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ball goes back to the 17 yard line. Next play UWW scores on a 19 yard run.

Hope he gets his ass chewed out for that stunt. What a punk move.

If wouldn't be season without an ugly win against UWRF.

Where's the discipline on this team that Bullis preaches before every game? FFS

But hey 02, all that really matters is we're 7-0. How we get there isn't important.

The penalties were really frustrating today.  What made it not quite as bad to stomach is that we were able to overcome so many of them.  The odds of that happening against a good defense probably aren't good.  Today we finished with 13 for 155 yards.  Luckily we won despite our sloppiness.  That many penalties are totally unacceptable.  Two weeks ago we had 5/41 and last week 1/5.   I don't know why today was so bad after two weeks that overall were pretty good.  I couldn't see that we were doing anything that different than last week but maybe you could.  I've admitted not knowing why but I'm confident it isn't because the staff hasn't made it a priority. 

It worked for two weeks why do you think it didn't today?

Just from my seat, I thought the River Falls athletic department got their money's worth out of this crew.

[BoBo]

Herink has 32 catches over the last two games. It's good to be 6-8. He's a long shot, as all WIACers are, but wouldnt shock to see him playing next-level football.

Oh dude, you need to take a deep breath into a paper bag.

[WW]

Herink has 32 catches over the last two games. It's good to be 6-8. He's a long shot, as all WIACers are, but wouldnt shock to see him playing next-level football.

Oh dude, you need to take a deep breath into a paper bag.

Booboo. You need to take the bottle out of that paper bag.

[emma17]

Kumerow takes an onside kick attempt by RF to the house. Before crossing the goal line turns and points a finger at the falcon trailing him, gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ball goes back to the 17 yard line. Next play UWW scores on a 19 yard run.

Hope he gets his ass chewed out for that stunt. What a punk move.

If wouldn't be season without an ugly win against UWRF.

Where's the discipline on this team that Bullis preaches before every game? FFS

I'm sure Bullis and staff hammer home the sportsmanship stuff. That finger waiving, hand gesture thing is everywhere today. #23 on UWRF defense had his share of gesticulatory celebrations

From my viewpoint I thought both teams played really well today. UWRF has a tough offense, they had 102 offensive plays. 102. Fortunately UWW's D rose up in key situations to take the ball away, like at the 1 yard line just before half. 
No Ponick or Ware running the ball today?

[BoBo]

Kumerow takes an onside kick attempt by RF to the house. Before crossing the goal line turns and points a finger at the falcon trailing him, gets called for unsportsmanlike conduct. Ball goes back to the 17 yard line. Next play UWW scores on a 19 yard run.

Hope he gets his ass chewed out for that stunt. What a punk move.

If wouldn't be season without an ugly win against UWRF.

Where's the discipline on this team that Bullis preaches before every game? FFS

I'm sure Bullis and staff hammer home the sportsmanship stuff. That finger waiving, hand gesture thing is everywhere today. #23 on UWRF defense had his share of gesticulatory celebrations

From my viewpoint I thought both teams played really well today. UWRF has a tough offense, they had 102 offensive plays. 102. Fortunately UWW's D rose up in key situations to take the ball away, like at the 1 yard line just before half. 
No Ponick or Ware running the ball today?

I disagree with your assessment that both teams played well today. River Falls has an embarrassing pass defense, or lack thereof.  In what universe would you call what they do as playing well? We ran an efficient 60 plays (28/32 ratio) and only passed for 235 yards. They were unable to close out the game like they normally do - going on one of those legendary 7-8 min. drives in the fourth quarter. And with the offense missing a gear, the defense gave up 2 fourth quarter TD's in almost no time flat. I think had the offense been playing better, they too could have passed for a gazillion yards against a most porous defense like La Crosse did last week. Offensively, 40% of all completed passes for UWW went for a TD - that's pretty good, but we only completed 15 passes all day. The teams were a combined 31% on third down, kind of shaky. In my view, the offenses appeared to played well but that was only because the defenses didn't.  UWW employed the classic bend but only break a little defense. Not the typical Whitewater defense. I think it was 02 who said it wouldn't be a UWW/RF game if I weren't ugly. This was very ugly. They gave up a lot of yards, which will happen when an opponent runs over 100 plays which you pointed out. But they only averaged 4.9 yards/play. UWW's DB's gave way to much cushion to the Falls receivers. In fact 23 of the 42 completions the Falcon QB had went for 74% of their first downs. But Beckman only found the EZ on 1 occasion. I have no data as proof, but 74% appears very high and not at all indicative of a well playing defense in opposition. Other than the WR screens that Falls ran to death, UWW D didn't allow a lot of YAC. But I wouldn't consider their performance as playing well. Whitewater forced 5 turnovers; they seemed to come at just the right time. I will say that the kick off returners played well, running back 4 for an average of 34.3 yards. They allowed UWW to play with good field position all day long. Finally, the number of penalties and the situations they were called was not good at all. I think River Falls Athletic department/football team got their money's worth with the crew working todays game. 

[BoBo]

Herink has 32 catches over the last two games. It's good to be 6-8. He's a long shot, as all WIACers are, but wouldnt shock to see him playing next-level football.

Oh dude, you need to take a deep breath into a paper bag.

Booboo. You need to take the bottle out of that paper bag.

[emma17]

I think I just saw the game differently. To me the game was 42-13.
With just over 2 minutes left in the third, UWW was up 42-13, and put the back-ups in on O and D.
I had expected the UWRF offense to be tough to stop. I think UWRF gained nearly 200 yards after they were down 42-13. They had a pick six against UWW after being down 42-13.

Given the above, I feel UWW played well.

As for UWRF playing well, they moved the ball against UWW's #1's. They had 13, 9, 9, 11 and 9 play drives before UWW went to the backups.

[badgerwarhawk]

Bobo, I think it's only fair to qualify the two fourth quarter Falcon scores by noting it was their starting offense, which actually isn't half bad, against our freshman and sophomores who played 20 minutes for the most part. I also thought that this was essentially a 42-13 game.  For all those plays and all those yards their offense failed at the most important thing scoring only once, on the opening drive, against our starting defense.  I wish they hadn't allowed those two touchdowns but I can live with it in a game with the score as it was because I know that those game reps are going to benefit them and us down the line. 

Maybe I'm mistaken but to me it seems we've been playing bend don't break defense all year. 

[BoBo]

Fair enough emma and bw. I can respect each of your conclusions. Agreed that when it was 42-13 the dagger was firmly planted. I wish our JV freshman and sophomores were more prepared and responded more positively when their names were called upon. A lesson was learned for the younger 'Hawks.

But as far as WW saying the big WR from RF playing next level football wouldn't be shocking, that's down-right delusional thinking. And the Vikings bringing him in for a rookie camp try-out because he is somewhat a local kid doesn't count as playing next level football.

[fredfalcon]

Congrats to WW on their deserved win, altho it certainly was not one of their best performances (worst?). To have a well rounded offense, RF needs more than 84 yards rushing (10 longest), and a passing attack that has a deep threat. That we were able to do as well passing as we did says our short passing attack is good.

RF was missing 5 injured starters, in the lineup 3 games ago, altho WW probably had guys out too. Other discrepancies:  WW lists 26 seniors, RF shows 15. Both starting O (8 seniors, 3 juniors) and D for WW list predominantly seniors, but no freshmen. RF started 3 freshmen, though a slight majority are seniors. WW has 13 players 290 lbs or better, RF has 6.These numbers are subject to scrutiny, but don't: it will weaken my argument. Yes, I know, this is starting to sound like a whine, but indulge me, I'm an old man, and I've seen few wins over the years!

We need to recruit better, but that's been the case for years. Our best running back in the Walker era was a transfer from WW, a kid from Janesville. Don't remember his name.

BUT, WE COULD BEAT STOUT! I'm still a great Walker supporter.

[badgerwarhawk]

Fair enough emma and bw. I can respect each of your conclusions. Agreed that when it was 42-13 the dagger was firmly planted. I wish our JV freshman and sophomores were more prepared and responded more positively when their names were called upon. A lesson was learned for the younger 'Hawks.

But as far as WW saying the big WR from RF playing next level football wouldn't be shocking, that's down-right delusional thinking. And the Vikings bringing him in for a rookie camp try-out because he is somewhat a local kid doesn't count as playing next level football.

I was leaving that one alone.   
FWIW when you consider maybe a half dozen DIII guys manage to get into an NFL camp the prospect of any of them playing at that level are shocking to me.  His football talent aside he was pretty tough for us on the floor in Williams Center.  But he was actually fun to watch.  Whatever happens after graduation I hope it goes well for him.

[bleedpurple]

My cursory State of the WIAC thoughts after Saturday:

Eau Claire: After beating River Falls on October 12th, the Blugolds have been outscored 74-11 by Oshkosh and Platteville.  Sitting at 3-4 (1-3), UW-EC travels to Stevens Point to take on a hungry Pointer team, losers of three straight games. Saturday may be their best hope for a victory with Platteville and Stout on deck. Wins against Point and Stout wouldn't be impossible and it would be a great way to close out the 2019 season. More likely, the Blugolds are facing either a 1-6 or 2-5 WIAC record.

La Crosse: The Eagles extended their roll for another week drubbing Oshkosh 31-3.  The win snapped an 8 game losing streak to the Titans.  Since losing to Platteville on October 5th, UW-L has won three straight games, scoring 134 points in the process.  With no realistic shot at a Pool C, the Eagles entire season will be on the line this coming Saturday at Whitewater. That's never good.  But they come in with  momentum.  They close the season with two very winnable games against Eau Claire and Stevens Point.

Oshkosh: Terrible result Saturday at La Crosse.  Fell behind by 14 points in first 5 ½ minutes of the game. That took the Titans out of their game plan. They are not built to come back with a young QB in the early stages of development.  While Saturday was the first WIAC loss for the Titans, it was a loss they couldn't afford.  They have to bounce back quickly because they travel to Platteville this coming Saturday. Then two weeks later they host Whitewater.

Platteville: Took care of business 43-8 at Eau Claire on Saturday. Remains the WIAC top (only?) Pool C hopeful.  They close with three winnable games, hosting 
a suddenly vulnerable Oshkosh, another home game against Point, and then finishing at River Falls.

River Falls:  While their offense becomes more and more dangerous, the Falcons still sit at 1-6 and 0-4. They host Stout before traveling to Oshkosh and then hosting Platteville to finish the season. They have a chance against Stout and Oshkosh may even be in play depending on how the Titans respond to Saturday's debacle.

Stevens Point: Saturday's overtime loss at Stout leaves the Pointers 2-5 and 1-3. Pride will be on the line when they host Eau Claire this Saturday. The Blugolds are also sitting at 1-3 in the WIAC.  Tough end to the season traveling to Platteville and hosting La Crosse. But strange things can happen in the last week of WIAC football so adding a couple more victories isn't out of the question.

Stout: The Blue Devils got a badly needed win in overtime against Stevens Point, putting up 509 yards of offense in the process. The Blue Devils sit at 2-5 and 1-3. Stout hosts River Falls Saturday before road games at Whitewater and Eau Claire to finish.

Whitewater: The Warhawks control their own destiny, sitting at 7-0 and 4-0. UW-W's home game Saturday against UW-La Crosse is an opportunity to gain further control of the WIAC. Whitewater is 16-0 in WIAC home games under Coach Kevin Bullis.