FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[D O.C.]

ATT-CMP-INT   422-294-9   
AVG/ATT   8.99   
AVG/G   379.20   
TDS     46   
TOT     3792

Not in the playoffs anymore, true, Junior Wyatt Smith put some numbers up in 2019.

No Injuries!

[bleedpurple]

I think UWW has the right makeup to put together a winning gameplan Saturday. Wheaton's second half is what they tried to do most of the game (minus the missed Xtra Points!). Run the ball (Wheaton had 165 yds rushing, 114 in 2nd half), stop the run (-12 yds rushing), get after the QB with 4 and sometimes 5 (3 sacks, really 5, and at least 6-7 pressures/hits), and don't give up big plays....uh, well, that was the intention. The problem was Erdman. We knew that going in and still couldn't stop the kid. I am sure UWW will watch the tape and say "That won't happen to us" and it may not, but many a team have been saying that for a couple years.

That said, the strategy worked for Wheaton and they should have won the game based on that. They didn't win because Erdman did his thing and Wheaton made too many very costly mistakes, especially down the stretch.

I think it will be a great game of two very different styles, as Hazzbeen has said, and I am excited to watch after I take the next couple days to finish my therapy.

Exactly, their QB is on another level than the rest of D3 right now. He's the difference maker. I don't really fear their defense or running game.

It'll all come down to slowly up Erdmann. Not sure if that's possible, we shall see.  That's why I'm hoping for sloppy conditions Saturday.

There is a QB in Naperville that has something to say about this. I think those two are on a different level from rest of D3, not so sure they are on a different level from each other.

According to reports from several Johnnie posters, the dude from Aurora belongs in the same sentence with Erdmann as well.

[DuffMan]

According to reports from several Johnnie posters, the dude from Aurora belongs in the same sentence with Erdmann as well.

Unless his game vs. SJU was a fluke (and based on the 57 TDs and 3600 yards, it wasn't), Zimbleman will terrorize defensive coordinators next year (starting with SJU!).  He doesn't throw a long ball like Erdmann, but much more of a threat to run.

[02 Warhawk]

UWW's pass defense has been suspect. 400 yards given up to UWRF, for example, and on the road, which means that those weren't 3rd, 4th and 5th stringers in the game.

But that O line, if it can maul SJU like they did UMHB, should control the pace and limit the opportunities for the SJU air game.

In either case, I think the scoreboard operator gonna get a workout.

I would agree with this, which is my biggest concern for Saturday.

I think consistency has been an issue with UWW this season (both sides of the ball). They've put together spurts where they've looked unbeatable, then there's been times where they've left us scratching our heads. With that beings said I (and many others) gave them little chance to knock off MHB. Then this past Saturday, it was like they flipped the switch and said "Ok, we're ready to start playing four quarters now". Their game against UWSP was maybe one other game where they took control and dominated from start till finish.

Now, will the motivated team we saw in Belton show up this Saturday? Or will the up-and-down team that we saw for most of 2019 show up? That's what keeps me up at night. 

[retagent]

Now that it's been announced that Swider is retiring, maybe his demeanor in the Post-Game presser is more understandable.

[USee]

MCC v Wheaton 10 times? Wheaton would be 10-0 of course. They are 1-4 for Rutgers career and the 1 was a complete fluke.

[BoBo]

I don't really fear their defense or running game.

Both aspects are adequate, but the passing game is what causes problems (duh!).  It's gonna be fun!

I'd say their passing game is what's truly elite. If people are shortchanging their D and running game (not saying Duff was, he knows them better than I), they are in for a surprise.

Contrast:

Whitewater's physicality/size/power is elite (see UMHB result). With a very strong run game and very strong D. Weakness (relatively speaking) is their QB play.

SJU's passing game is elite. Very strong D with a lot of speed. Very solid running game. Weakness, though mitigated post-concordia, is obviously their kicking game.

Can UWW shorten the game like they did v. UMHB? Can the SJU D hold up physically for 4 quarters? Can UWW contain Erdmann enough that they can still remain committed to the running game? Should be a great game!

UWW's pass defense has been suspect. 400 yards given up to UWRF, for example, and on the road, which means that those weren't 3rd, 4th and 5th stringers in the game.

But that O line, if it can maul SJU like they did UMHB, should control the pace and limit the opportunities for the SJU air game.

In either case, I think the scoreboard operator gonna get a workout.

badgerwarhawk is the clock operator. He bowls so he's in great shape!!

[HScoach]

I don't really fear their defense or running game.

Both aspects are adequate, but the passing game is what causes problems (duh!).  It's gonna be fun!

I'd say their passing game is what's truly elite. If people are shortchanging their D and running game (not saying Duff was, he knows them better than I), they are in for a surprise.

Contrast:

Whitewater's physicality/size/power is elite (see UMHB result). With a very strong run game and very strong D. Weakness (relatively speaking) is their QB play.

SJU's passing game is elite. Very strong D with a lot of speed. Very solid running game. Weakness, though mitigated post-concordia, is obviously their kicking game.

Can UWW shorten the game like they did v. UMHB? Can the SJU D hold up physically for 4 quarters? Can UWW contain Erdmann enough that they can still remain committed to the running game? Should be a great game!

UWW's pass defense has been suspect. 400 yards given up to UWRF, for example, and on the road, which means that those weren't 3rd, 4th and 5th stringers in the game.

But that O line, if it can maul SJU like they did UMHB, should control the pace and limit the opportunities for the SJU air game.

In either case, I think the scoreboard operator gonna get a workout.

If the pass D is truly a problem, then I don't like UWW's chances.  Stomping the life out of MHB last week doesn't tell me anything as shutting down MHB is about the line of scrimmage, not the skill positions as Fredenberg and his QB play has always been the weak link for MHB.  UWW better run the living crap out of the ball and do everything possible to not punt the ball.  4th and short yardage should be a run, not a punt.   

Back in 1999 Augie almost beat Mount in round 1 by approaching every set of downs as a full 4 down attack.  Went for, and unfortunately made, a bunch of 4th downs and kept the ball away from Mount's great offense.  The difference in the outcome was a Mount return for a TD and just a couple stops.  If I'm the UWW offensive staff, I approach this game like a punt is a turnover.  And on defense anything short of surrendering a TD is a win for the D.   

[mr_mom]

HScoach ... remind me if I am getting feeble ... wasn't this the game that Augie controlled the ball for 47 minutes and MUC only 13?!

[USee]

HScoach ... remind me if I am getting feeble ... wasn't this the game that Augie controlled the ball for 47 minutes and MUC only 13?!

Yep. And Mt Union scored like 33 pts in 13 minutes and won something like 33-28

[WW]

Not D3 news, but D2 news sure to affect the WIAC recruiting landscape is the shutdown of Crookston and St. Cloud programs. I count 48 Wisconsin kids on St. Cloud roster.

[hazzben]

Not D3 news, but D2 news sure to affect the WIAC recruiting landscape is the shutdown of Crookston and St. Cloud programs. I count 48 Wisconsin kids on St. Cloud roster.

I think it affects all the top D3 programs in MN and WI. SJU and Concordia will pick up recruits given sheer proximity. Bethel will have an in on some as well. WIAC will benefit too. Sad news for the schools, but 100+ college football players need an immediate home as well.

[DuffMan]

Sad news, indeed.  UM-Crookston was dismal, but SCSU has had some respectable teams.  Didn't UWW play them a few years ago?  SJU has had a few impactful SCSU transfers through the years.

[02 Warhawk]

Sad news, indeed.  UM-Crookston was dismal, but SCSU has had some respectable teams.  Didn't UWW play them a few years ago?  SJU has had a few impactful SCSU transfers through the years.

Yeah, SCSU gave us our only loss of the year in 2007.

[badgerwarhawk]

Sad news, indeed.  UM-Crookston was dismal, but SCSU has had some respectable teams.  Didn't UWW play them a few years ago?  SJU has had a few impactful SCSU transfers through the years.

Yes, in 2007.  We lost 26-16