FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Just the stats]

A Dan Arnold touchdown! The former Platteville Pioneer scored for the Cardinals yesterday with a back of the end zone catch. https://www.azcardinals.com/video/kyler-murray-dan-arnold-reaches-high-for-epic-td-grab-browns

[bleedpurple]

I think NCC will kick your butt... but what do I know..... 

Well NCC is a 9 point (Hansen) to 14 point (Massey) favorite.  So you may be on to something. I may need to re-watch the 2007 Stagg Bowl just to kindle some hope 

Bluenote is very likely on something.  But I doubt very much he is on TO something. That would be completely out of character for him.  What we are doing along the line of scrimmage right now doesn't translate well in math based formulas.  But it sure translates well in winning football games.   Don't worry BG. We aren't going down there to lose.

[emma17]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

[sfury]

Been a few years since we were back in the Perk for play-off game.  So much fun seeing old friends, a fun tailgate and what a spectacular competition it was!  Does not get any better than that. Much respect for the SJU program, players, staff, fan base and that terrific QB!  When did you guys get an O-line that big?     I can't believe I am thinking this much less leaving written evidence but with the quality of the play I saw on either side of the ball Saturday, I would have been OK losing that nail biter to this years Johnny's team. They surely would have earned it. I said several times during the game, SJU was making scoring TD's look easy and the Hawks scores were much harder earned. And what a great defensive play that sealed the win for the Hawks. That LB strip was stellar! Much like the legendary 05 Hawks/Linfield game, the winner was determined by the buzzer.  There was 11 lead changes in that barn burner also with an amazing QB.  Saturday was anyone's game from start to finish. 

I am so happy for Coach Bullis, Coach Pete, Coach Rindahl and Coach Allen and all the coaching staff as they get their chance to play for the Walnut and Bronze! Jace and Brent need to get another ring, this time as coaches!   

                                     GO HAWKS!  DEFENSE WINS CHAMPIONSHIPS! 

I had mentioned that 05 Linfield game earlier in the week and now I feel I brought bad karma onto the Johnnies. But it just had similar feel going in as Erdmann put up similar numbers to Elliott. But it didn't have to go quite the same way and be so on point, with 8 lead changes. Well, it would have been fine going that way if there had been a ninth lead change at the end! But great interception.

And who knows maybe the Stagg is a replay as well, certainly the potential is there. Or maybe it's totally different and more like last year's Super Bowl. Will be interesting to see...if painful to watch for Johnnie fans.

[USee]

I had mentioned that 05 Linfield game earlier in the week and now I feel I brought bad karma onto the Johnnies. But it just had similar feel going in as Erdmann put up similar numbers to Elliott. But it didn't have to go quite the same way and be so on point, with 8 lead changes. Well, it would have been fine going that way if there had been a ninth lead change at the end! But great interception.

And who knows maybe the Stagg is a replay as well, certainly the potential is there. Or maybe it's totally different and more like last year's Super Bowl. Will be interesting to see...if painful to watch for Johnnie fans.

Two big differences between StJ/Erdman and NCC/Rutter. The first and main difference is NCC has a great running game and run the ball more than they pass it, in fact their HC is on record saying they are committed to that style. Second big difference is that Rutter gets rid of the ball much more quickly than Erdman most of the time. NCC is a system offense and Rutter has reads and gets rid of it. Much more difficult to get a rush on Rutter than Erdman in my opinion. You have to stop the run and cover on Rutter to get him frustrated, then you can start to get to him. I think UWW is versatile enough on defense to play that style which is why the key for me is UWW's offense vs the NCC defense. NCC has been a completely different defensive team since halftime of the Mt Union game. The Raiders scored only 14 second half points and NCC held both Del Val and Muhlenberg to 14 pts each.

UWW's Offensive line will be as good as anything NCC has seen all year. This game will be fun to watch if you are a hog fan. The trenches will dictate the action for sure. North Central has as good an OLine as any in the country and I think UWW's is on par with that. UWW's DLine showed their talent last Saturday and NCC's defensive front has been stingy against the run all season (#18).

[hazzben]

I had mentioned that 05 Linfield game earlier in the week and now I feel I brought bad karma onto the Johnnies. But it just had similar feel going in as Erdmann put up similar numbers to Elliott. But it didn't have to go quite the same way and be so on point, with 8 lead changes. Well, it would have been fine going that way if there had been a ninth lead change at the end! But great interception.

And who knows maybe the Stagg is a replay as well, certainly the potential is there. Or maybe it's totally different and more like last year's Super Bowl. Will be interesting to see...if painful to watch for Johnnie fans.

Two big differences between StJ/Erdman and NCC/Rutter. The first and main difference is NCC has a great running game and run the ball more than they pass it, in fact their HC is on record saying they are committed to that style. Second big difference is that Rutter gets rid of the ball much more quickly than Erdman most of the time. NCC is a system offense and Rutter has reads and gets rid of it. Much more difficult to get a rush on Rutter than Erdman in my opinion. You have to stop the run and cover on Rutter to get him frustrated, then you can start to get to him. I think UWW is versatile enough on defense to play that style which is why the key for me is UWW's offense vs the NCC defense. NCC has been a completely different defensive team since halftime of the Mt Union game. The Raiders scored only 14 second half points and NCC held both Del Val and Muhlenberg to 14 pts each.

UWW's Offensive line will be as good as anything NCC has seen all year. This game will be fun to watch if you are a hog fan. The trenches will dictate the action for sure. North Central has as good an OLine as any in the country and I think UWW's is on par with that. UWW's DLine showed their talent last Saturday and NCC's defensive front has been stingy against the run all season (#18).

I don't know that I totally agree with this assessment. Bethel had drastically more success getting pressure on Rutter than we ever did on Erdmann. Granted, this was only last year's version of NCC and we had Kilgore eating OT's for breakfast. But I'm not sure I'd concede that SJU's Oline was easier to penetrate than NCC's will be.

But you are dead correct in balance. SJU didn't run because they couldn't. It was more a conscious effort to put the ball in Erdmann's hands whenever possible, and lean on their RB's to do damage as receivers as well.

That said, I don't think there's any reason NCC can't win the Stagg. And yet I don't think I'd make them the favorite either. Straight pickem IMO.

[HScoach]

I agree that it's an even pick-em.  Barring unpredictable plays or a bunch of turnovers,
the key in my mind is who wins the line of scrimmage.   If UWW can flex their muscle and get to Rutter like they did Erdmann than UWW wins.  If NCC can protect Rutter and get positive rushing yards to remain balanced,  then NCC is in good shape.

Much like many of the UWW vs Mount games, it is an interesting contrast in styles of play and individual personnel strength that easily could go either way.   Just as the championship game should be.

[USee]

I had mentioned that 05 Linfield game earlier in the week and now I feel I brought bad karma onto the Johnnies. But it just had similar feel going in as Erdmann put up similar numbers to Elliott. But it didn't have to go quite the same way and be so on point, with 8 lead changes. Well, it would have been fine going that way if there had been a ninth lead change at the end! But great interception.

And who knows maybe the Stagg is a replay as well, certainly the potential is there. Or maybe it's totally different and more like last year's Super Bowl. Will be interesting to see...if painful to watch for Johnnie fans.

Two big differences between StJ/Erdman and NCC/Rutter. The first and main difference is NCC has a great running game and run the ball more than they pass it, in fact their HC is on record saying they are committed to that style. Second big difference is that Rutter gets rid of the ball much more quickly than Erdman most of the time. NCC is a system offense and Rutter has reads and gets rid of it. Much more difficult to get a rush on Rutter than Erdman in my opinion. You have to stop the run and cover on Rutter to get him frustrated, then you can start to get to him. I think UWW is versatile enough on defense to play that style which is why the key for me is UWW's offense vs the NCC defense. NCC has been a completely different defensive team since halftime of the Mt Union game. The Raiders scored only 14 second half points and NCC held both Del Val and Muhlenberg to 14 pts each.

UWW's Offensive line will be as good as anything NCC has seen all year. This game will be fun to watch if you are a hog fan. The trenches will dictate the action for sure. North Central has as good an OLine as any in the country and I think UWW's is on par with that. UWW's DLine showed their talent last Saturday and NCC's defensive front has been stingy against the run all season (#18).

I don't know that I totally agree with this assessment. Bethel had drastically more success getting pressure on Rutter than we ever did on Erdmann. Granted, this was only last year's version of NCC and we had Kilgore eating OT's for breakfast. But I'm not sure I'd concede that SJU's Oline was easier to penetrate than NCC's will be.

But you are dead correct in balance. SJU didn't run because they couldn't. It was more a conscious effort to put the ball in Erdmann's hands whenever possible, and lean on their RB's to do damage as receivers as well.

That said, I don't think there's any reason NCC can't win the Stagg. And yet I don't think I'd make them the favorite either. Straight pickem IMO.

Bethel won because they won the LOS. They limited NCC to 104 yds on 39 rushes (2.7 ypc) and Rutter was sacked 6 times, 3 in the second half when he had to pass to catch up. Bethel's DL was better than NCC's Oline, and Bethel also rushed for 184 yds against NCC. To me, that's the formula for beating these guys. If their run game is working, the LB's will be opening up those quick passing lanes and Rutter can get the ball out of his hands. If they are one dimensional, Rutter isn't as good. NCC rarely goes no backs like STJ did with Erdman much of the time.

[WW]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

Really? There's almost no part of the final four that I've found predictable.

[emma17]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

Really? There's almost no part of the final four that I've found predictable.

I understand your point. It's a perspective thing for me. I certainly didn't predict NCC would beat Muhlenberg the way they did, so that was unexpected. But zooming way out, we can also say, it is expected a team from the east (regardless of region designation) is highly unlikely to reach the Stagg.
So for some, when first hearing the score of NCC over Muhl, a likely comment would be "well what'd you expect".

[02 Warhawk]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

Really? There's almost no part of the final four that I've found predictable.

I understand your point. It's a perspective thing for me. I certainly didn't predict NCC would beat Muhlenberg the way they did, so that was unexpected. But zooming way out, we can also say, it is expected a team from the east (regardless of region designation) is highly unlikely to reach the Stagg.
So for some, when first hearing the score of NCC over Muhl, a likely comment would be "well what'd you expect".

I suppose the outcomes weren't all that surprising. Although I expected Muhlenberg to put up a slightly better fight.
The teams that made it to the final 4 were a bit surprising, considering none of them were the top seeds in their region.
If I was told Meylor was the game's leading rusher - before knowing the score - then I would have assumed UWW lost

[WW]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

Really? There's almost no part of the final four that I've found predictable.

I understand your point. It's a perspective thing for me. I certainly didn't predict NCC would beat Muhlenberg the way they did, so that was unexpected. But zooming way out, we can also say, it is expected a team from the east (regardless of region designation) is highly unlikely to reach the Stagg.
So for some, when first hearing the score of NCC over Muhl, a likely comment would be "well what'd you expect".

I suppose the outcomes weren't all that surprising. Although I expected Muhlenberg to put up a slightly better fight.
The teams that made it to the final 4 were a bit surprising, considering none of them were the top seeds in their region.
If I was told Meylor was the game's leading rusher - before knowing the score - then I would have assumed UWW lost

If I was told Meylor would throw 34 passes, I would have assumed UWW lost by 34.

[D O.C.]

 

[emma17]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

Really? There's almost no part of the final four that I've found predictable.

I understand your point. It's a perspective thing for me. I certainly didn't predict NCC would beat Muhlenberg the way they did, so that was unexpected. But zooming way out, we can also say, it is expected a team from the east (regardless of region designation) is highly unlikely to reach the Stagg.
So for some, when first hearing the score of NCC over Muhl, a likely comment would be "well what'd you expect".

I suppose the outcomes weren't all that surprising. Although I expected Muhlenberg to put up a slightly better fight.
The teams that made it to the final 4 were a bit surprising, considering none of them were the top seeds in their region.
If I was told Meylor was the game's leading rusher - before knowing the score - then I would have assumed UWW lost

If I was told Meylor would throw 34 passes, I would have assumed UWW lost by 34.

WW- we have finally found common ground.

-Weird stats for sure. As 02 said, QB was leading rusher.
-QB was 44% on completions with 2 interceptions.
-Peete and Ware got 16 carries between them.
-These numbers surprised me the most:
UWW had 13 offensive possessions (excluding kneel down drive). In only 4 of those possessions did a UWW RB carry the ball two consecutive times. It wasn't until the game winning field goal drive that a UWW RB carried the ball two consecutive times, twice in the possession.
For comparison, vs. UMHB, UWW had 8 possessions excluding the kneel down drive. In 6 of the 8 possessions, UWW RB's carried the ball two consecutive times. They carried the ball two consecutive times 15 times during the game.

 

[02 Warhawk]

Time to wrap up some thoughts.
-This final four is as unpredictable as I can remember.
-I think Erdmann is the best QB in D3, all due respect to Rutter and Zimbelman.
-Expecting lots of yards by Erdmann.
-Expecting UWW will limit long TD passes.
-UWW has the smartest LB on the field.

I was wrong... on the first point.

Really? There's almost no part of the final four that I've found predictable.

I understand your point. It's a perspective thing for me. I certainly didn't predict NCC would beat Muhlenberg the way they did, so that was unexpected. But zooming way out, we can also say, it is expected a team from the east (regardless of region designation) is highly unlikely to reach the Stagg.
So for some, when first hearing the score of NCC over Muhl, a likely comment would be "well what'd you expect".

I suppose the outcomes weren't all that surprising. Although I expected Muhlenberg to put up a slightly better fight.
The teams that made it to the final 4 were a bit surprising, considering none of them were the top seeds in their region.
If I was told Meylor was the game's leading rusher - before knowing the score - then I would have assumed UWW lost

If I was told Meylor would throw 34 passes, I would have assumed UWW lost by 34.

WW- we have finally found common ground.

-Weird stats for sure. As 02 said, QB was leading rusher.
-QB was 44% on completions with 2 interceptions.
-Peete and Ware got 16 carries between them.
-These numbers surprised me the most:
UWW had 13 offensive possessions (excluding kneel down drive). In only 4 of those possessions did a UWW RB carry the ball two consecutive times. It wasn't until the game winning field goal drive that a UWW RB carried the ball two consecutive times, twice in the possession.
For comparison, vs. UMHB, UWW had 8 possessions excluding the kneel down drive. In 6 of the 8 possessions, UWW RB's carried the ball two consecutive times. They carried the ball two consecutive times 15 times during the game.

Yup, I recall complaining about that in the gameday thread. Looking at the individual stats, it's hard to come up with how we won that game.