FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[Pat Coleman]

Four is a little overboard.

[bcflyguy1]

I think the top 4 WIAC teams should have an automatic bid into the playoffs. Anyone with me?

Uh...no.  Nice win today, though.

[BoBo]

I believe today's big win by the falcons just proves the strength of the WIAC. Platteville and River Falls, have been dragging behind the larger, talented schools in the conference for much too long. Now, these two teams have become competetive with the rest of the league...(exception WW).
After following the playoffs last year and with the competition the conference has presently, I think the top 4 WIAC teams should have an automatic bid into the playoffs. Anyone with me?

The euphoria of one nice win I think has gotten the better of you, Falcon Follower. I don't know what it might prove, but it's just the WIAC being the WIAC, as usual.  Even with the erratic play to date that muddy the waters in much of the west region, I don't see a 3 loss team like River Falls, especially with one of them to Northwestern (MN) getting into the playoffs. With their loss today, Eau Claire has put themselves in a rather precarious predicament, too - two losses with UWW coming up again in a couple weeks - they may have just played themselves out of a playoff berth they almost assuredly had in the bag.     

[stoutguy]

Big win for the Falcons today at EC.  I would have to check the history books to see how long, but I know it's been a long, long time since RF beat a team as high ranked as that.  Both teams looked good offensively, moving the ball well.  RF got a few key stops on defense and in a close, back and forth game like that, that's all it took to win.  It was a heck of a win for the Falcons.


Stoutguy, as a coach of the Rice Lake Warriors team, I can tell you that the Menomonie Indians will have to come to play against RF.  The Wildcats were really solid on the O and D lines against us last night.  It should be a heck of a game next week.

Fact of the matter, we are not very good.  I'm not sure we can stop Levi Johnson.  Heck if they call the fumble a fumble in your game, we lose to you guys. 

[Falcon Follower]

I believe today's big win by the falcons just proves the strength of the WIAC. Platteville and River Falls, have been dragging behind the larger, talented schools in the conference for much too long. Now, these two teams have become competetive with the rest of the league...(exception WW).
After following the playoffs last year and with the competition the conference has presently, I think the top 4 WIAC teams should have an automatic bid into the playoffs. Anyone with me?

The euphoria of one nice win I think has gotten the better of you, Falcon Follower. I don't know what it might prove, but it's just the WIAC being the WIAC, as usual.  Even with the erratic play to date that muddy the waters in much of the west region, I don't see a 3 loss team like River Falls, especially with one of them to Northwestern (MN) getting into the playoffs. With their loss today, Eau Claire has put themselves in a rather precarious predicament, too - two losses with UWW coming up again in a couple weeks - they may have just played themselves out of a playoff berth they almost assuredly had in the bag.     

I know I exaggerated with the idea of 4 teams in with the automatic bid. It was just out of frustration, because Eau Claire is a definite playoff caliber team. Like you said, they may not get in because they will have lost twice to a championship team and once to RF (this is assuming other conference teams don't pull out a tight one against Eau Claire.
It's disheartening to see top teams from Michigan make it to the 11th game, knowing full well, a better team like Eau Claire, the TITANS, or even the POINTERS should have the spot. I'd even put La Crosse out their. Especially last year. They were leading the soon to be National Champs with time left in the 4th. All of a sudden a few conference losses keep this team out of the playoffs. Last year, after seeing the inspirational run by Eau Claire with their 5th string QB, I'm convinced that WIAC hasn't been fairly represented in the playoffs in the past 5years.
I do want to thank WW for taking down Mount Union. Mount Union used to call themselves champions, because they had a great team that plays lesser calibre teams for way too long. WW battles through the WIAC, and, like all WIAC schools, picks a difficult non-conference schedule (WW had the toughest schedule in d3 nation by far last year). WW were true champions last year, and had to play 14 games at peek performance.
I digress. WIAC has larger schools, a stronger overall conference, and should be better represented in the playoffs. Will we lose a first round bout? No doubt. But teams won't get a freebee in the first round anymore, like they do with (choose a team from a different conference to insert name here).

[fredfalcon]

stoutguy--if I can get the poop wiped off my face, I may well be able to get to
the Thursday nite game and join in the post game festivities. Too bad you are hooked into the broadcast on Saturday. Otherwise, you could have benefited from my generosity. I would, as is my usual custom as official RF welcomer, buy non-stop if you would drop in to a RF beer joint post game.

[stoutguy]

stoutguy--if I can get the poop wiped off my face, I may well be able to get to
the Thursday nite game and join in the post game festivities. Too bad you are hooked into the broadcast on Saturday. Otherwise, you could have benefited from my generosity. I would, as is my usual custom as official RF welcomer, buy non-stop if you would drop in to a RF beer joint post game.

You just might be busted in the non-stop buying.  We are doing the morning show from RF and then the Stout game so I am driving myself over for the day.  I'm in for lots of free drinks.   


     

[KitchenSink]

Just heard Garcon's name in the Packers - Colts game.

He got 15 yard facemask penalty called on him.

[BoBo]

He's also ran back a couple kick offs - 4 returns, 17 yard average, with a long of 23 yards.

[dallas]

Derek Stanley was knocked unconscious as he was covering a punt during the game against the Cowboys today.  He eventually walked off the field, but he was out cold for a long time.  Freaked me out a bit....scary situation. 

[BoBo]

Derek Stanley was knocked unconscious as he was covering a punt during the game against the Cowboys today.  He eventually walked off the field, but he was out cold for a long time.  Freaked me out a bit....scary situation. 

According to ESPN, "Rams WR Derek Stanley (concussion) was hospitalized for observation after being involved in a special teams collision early in the third quarter. The team had called for a cart but Stanley ended up walking off the field."

EDIT:  ...and this from STLtoday.com

"Rookie wide receiver Derek Stanley suffered what appeared to be a concussion on a third quarter collision with Dallas defensive back Keith Davis. Stanley was running down the field on punt coverage when struck from the side by Davis. Stanley was hospitalized after the game for observation."

"I think he'll be OK," Coach Haslett said. "He took a wicked helmet-to-helmet hit."

[BoBo]

What's being said/watched from around the WIAC:

La Crosse Tribune

Youth Rules in Eagles First Win

After having big game last season, Pioneers' QB shut down

UW-L picks up first win of season in rout of UW-Platteville

The New Harring Field and Track Video file - click on "Popular" then scroll down and click on title video

WKBT La Crosse

Eagles Soar to First Win of Season - 2 videos

WXOW La Crosse

UW-L uses great defensive effort, beats Platteville - feature video

WEAU Eau Claire

Blugolds Fall Short Against River Falls video under Local Sports' SP/Stout included

Blue Devils hurt themselves in loss to Pointers

Oshkosh Northwestern

UWO 'outmatched and outgunned' by Whitewater

[footballfan413]

Very nice, BoBo.  Thanks for doing the reconn on the weekend news.

  So sorry about Derek's injury.   Feel better fast, DStan, and take the time needed to heal it properly.  A head injury is nothing to mess around with. 

[footballfan413]

Can't forget to congratulate the Warhawks on their win and awesome play against UWO.  It was great to see Donovan and Company get their passing game in high gear.  That will be crucial if they are to continue to be successful, especially, if they make it into the post season.  Three years of play-offs have shown that a balanced offense is crucial at the elite level.  Been waiting for Rusch to have a breakout year and it appears this will be it.  The Hawks are starting to gel and getting better every week..........right on schedule.  On to the Pointers and a big Homecoming weekend.  Can't wait.
             
GO WARHAWKS!

[BoBo]

Thanks fbf413.

Reading that Northerwestern article, I found this interesting tidbit:

"To begin the game UWO held a bag full of tricks, including a no-huddle offense that befuddled UWW for a short time. UWW was unable to make any defensive substitutions while UWO got into a short groove.

However, the Titans were unable to string together enough first downs to make it matter on the scoreboard."

A hometown view of a contest can be rather humorous.  I'm sure the writer wasn't trying to be funny, but when examining the facts, it appears like a strange thing to say.  I went back to the play by play and this is what I discovered:

1st drive             7 plays 2 first downs (fd)
2nd - 4th drive   11 plays 0 fd (1 via offensive penalty)
5th drive            7 plays 2 first downs (FG)
6th - 9th drive   10 plays  0 first downs
10th drive         12 plays (27 yards) 3 fd (1 via defensive penalty)

Total offense for UW-O  46 plays, 113 yards

I only watched the game on the Oshkosh video, but it didn't seem to me like the no-huddle was much of a positive for the Titans, not even for a short time like the writer indicated in the article. I think the befuddled comment should've been directed toward the Oshkosh offensive. I don't think Oshkosh has the personnel to run such an offensive. Without a running threat in the backfield or a QB with the abiltiy to get the ball down the field, it was doomed from the start.  In hindsight, desperate situations require desperate measures, but I think the Oshkosh coaching staff really blew it with that one. Thoughts anyone?

I think that bag full of tricks must have had a few holes it in...Oshkosh needed more than smoke and mirrors in this one.  A 12 play, 27 yard drive...that's a first for me.