FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[finsleft]

I expressed my congratulations to UWW on the MIAC board earlier, but let me also say it here. Sorry to see my Johnnies go down, but congratulations on a great season Warhawks, and good luck on Saturday.

[K-Mack]

Is "statistically" the key word in that sentence?  Kleppe seems to make plays that shift the momentum of the game.  Not looking at his stats, the people from SJU knew he changed the game.  SJU came out and took the momentum from the start, and Kleppe's first sack took that momentum away from them. 

Other question I would have is how is Robinson's motor?  Like I said before I've only seen him once in pretty bad weather.  It seemed to me like if the play didn't come right at him he had plays he gave up on.  Is this normal behavior or part of the conditions of that game?

It's in that sentence only because I did not cover that game personally so I could not speak to the feel of the game. I did see the UWW/UMHB game.

I'll see if Keith McMillan can comment. He saw both games.

Sorry I'm just getting to this.

I'm not sure Kleppe and Robinson are all that much alike except for that they both dominate from the defensive line.

I'm OK with Robinson's motor, he seems to be in on a lot of plays. Physically, he's just superior to players on this level. 6-3, 287 and can move. I think he does more damage against the pass, maybe because he's a defensive end ... but he just gets in the backfield and wreaks havoc. He's the type of guy who can bowl over the back who steps up to block him and then run down your scrambling QB from behind.

But UMHB ran weakside in their big third quarter, and a lot of it was right at Robinson. I don't remember how they blocked it, so that could have had something to do with it. I don't know if that means Robinson isn't that good against the run, or they let him run upfield and take himself out of the play or it just happened to be that UMHB was on fire that quarter.

Kleppe, from the DT spot, seems to be more your typical middle clogger. I don't think too many lines can 1-on-1 block him, and he can get after the QB. I like his hustle if the play isn't going right to him, but I saw him get winded vs. UMHB too.

They both have the potential to be really disruptive, and make game-changing plays.

If I had to characterize it, I would say Robinson is going to be more of a problem against the pass, especially with Reuland still out. He will also run down some plays from the back side if the field is normal and his speed can be showcased.

Kleppe will just blow some plays up. The picture on the front page with the Gagliardi thing says it all. He's past the O-Line in the backfield, and they're still trying to hold him.

I don't know if that's the most expert analysis of those two guys though ... just some thoughts off the top of my head.

Another thing ... both are really likeable dudes, for what that's worth.

As was mentioned elsewhere, we should all be lucky enough to see Robinson get a few snaps on offense again and get to go head-to-head with Kleppe on a play or two.

[K-Mack]

Answering this specifically, I'm not sure I'd rather have either.

And yes, Robinson can completely mess up offensive continuity and change a game.

A couple times a game I say to myself "Wow. That dude's a man!"

It will definitely matter if he can show his speed this year.

Kinda wishing i could see that game now. 

With that said, here's a topic for debate.  Who would you rather having playing on the d-line for your team: Ryan Kleppe or Bryan Robinson? 

With having only seen Kleepe play last week, I don't have to see Robinson play.  Enough said.

I've seen them both, and it is not cut and dried. Though I would love to see the line that has Kleppe at tackle and Robinson at end.

Pat,

Can you elaborate on the "not cut and dry".  I have seen Robinson play only once, and that was against WW last year in the semifinal game.  Conditions werer bad, but he obviously didn't have a huge impact on the game.  I have seen everyone of Kleppe's games the last two years.  I have seen Kleppe completely change the complexion of a game at least 3 times this year.  Does Robinson turn in performances like Kleppe's against UMHB?

I'm not talking about putting up numbers, I mean changing the entire outcome of a game against a top tier opponent.

I saw Robinson have a similarly dominant game against Salisbury in 2005 in person and statistically he had a similarly dominant game last Saturday. Against UMHB.

Is "statistically" the key word in that sentence?  Kleppe seems to make plays that shift the momentum of the game.  Not looking at his stats, the people from SJU knew he changed the game.  SJU came out and took the momentum from the start, and Kleppe's first sack took that momentum away from them. 

Other question I would have is how is Robinson's motor?  Like I said before I've only seen him once in pretty bad weather.  It seemed to me like if the play didn't come right at him he had plays he gave up on.  Is this normal behavior or part of the conditions of that game?

[uww0212]

I like his hustle if the play isn't going right to him, but I saw him get winded vs. UMHB too.

The defense being on the field for about 40 minutes that game combined with Whitewater going from 30 degree temps to upper 80's is a tough combination.

[uww0212]

Waiting for Saturday is brutal.  We should just play tomorrow... Wesley will be in town. 

[Olinemom]

Will you be basking in the warmth as you a)listen to the game in Alliance and / orb) watch the internet feed from WW?

Leaving Sunny FL tonight to Fly to OH.  My company Christmas party is Saturday night, so I get to go to Alliance on Sat. Afternoon!

Have a great time!!  But it's the coldest place!!  I think perhaps the MUC side is warmer as it's more protected.  I'll be listening to hear your voice, so holler loud!!

[Olinemom]

Pete Schmitt is definitely a big part of the UWW offense.  I love it when Pete finds the hole in a zone 10-15 yards down field.  He definitely adds another dimension to the offense. 

It's an added bonus when he holds onto the ball trying to pick up additional YAC!!

Now, Bobo, he's just trying to help.  He's not the only one that has needed that stick'um stuff they used to always use.  Why Fred Bilitnikoff, all the ball had to do was come within 10 yards and it was like there was a magnet to all that sprayed on gunk on his jersey, arms and hands!!   But I still thought he was wonderful!!!  No negative waves about PETE.  OR DEREK  OR NEIL  or any of our guys!!!!!!!!

[ScheckDiesel]

Waiting for Saturday is brutal.  We should just play tomorrow... Wesley will be in town. 

I'm with you, my mouth is watering for some UWW football.  I'm looking forward to a competitive game.  I heard Kleppe spent the summer "in Alaska hunting Wolverines with his uncle".  He shot "like 50 of 'em" with a "freakin' 12-gauge"

[ScheckDiesel]

YAY "Napoleon Dynamite"!!! 

[badgerwarhawk]

The cannon has been silenced

No cannon Saturday.  Wesley complained about it to the NCAA and they have banned it as an artificial noise maker which is prohibited by rule.   

Don't be completely surprised if you happen to hear it off in the distance.   

[janesvilleflash]

Going to be strange not having the canon, but I guess rules are rules.

[LAX LB]

Dogfish offer still stands.  Since I will be one of the few Wesley fans coming to the game, I would like to offer up four (4) official Dogfish Head t-shirts (2 adult - large & xl, 2 women's cut - med & large) for a mixed 12 pack of Point Beer, emphasis on mixed.  I was just at the brewery today, and Sam the owner wishes all beer drinkers in WI well!

Any takers???

www.dogfish.com

What makes you think we like beer in Wisconsin... Just because we have; Miller, Point, Old Style, City Brewery, New Glaurs, Capital Brewery, and the countless smaller brewers in the State

[footballfan413]

Going to be strange not having the canon, but I guess rules are rules.

That is twisting the intent of the rule alittle bit if you ask me.  Protection against noisemaker's is meant to prevent the crowd from keeping the offense from being able to hear the QB signals and snap count, isn't it?  A celebratory noise after a TD doesn't affect the other team in the same way.  Hardly the same impact as UMHB's student section had banging drums in the end zone every time UWW was on offense.  Maybe Wesley's complaints stem more from how many times they had to listen to the canon last year.   

[warhawkexpress28]

The cannon has been silenced

No cannon Saturday.  Wesley complained about it to the NCAA and they have banned it as an artificial noise maker which is prohibited by rule.  

Don't be completely surprised if you happen to hear it off in the distance.  

That is weak

[kubiack78]

hey LAX LB were were you on the Eagles roster in 92'?   Who was the runing back you guys had was it Janke or something like that?