Game of the Week
#4 Whitewater Warhawks (2-1) #13 Platteville Pioneers (3-0)
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Pioneers
Warhawks
La Crosse Eagles (1-2) @ Stevens Point Pointers (1-2)
Stout Blue Devils (2-1) @ Eau Claire Blugolds (0-3)
Here's an interesting match-up considering I would have penciled in UWEC as the clear-cut winner this game at the beginning of the season (maybe even after week one). I had high hopes for Eau Claire and their senior quarterback Austin Neu. Through the first three-and-a-half quarters against No. 8 St. Thomas, it appeared the WIAC would have two top 10 upsets in week one. However, following some questionable play calling and some poor turnovers, the Blugolds blew a late lead and lost a heart breaker. Since then their season has taken a turn for the worse, as each week they seem to be progressing in the wrong direction. Including last week's 49-19 blowout loss at Platteville. They went from should have beaten a top 10 team in the country in week one, to still looking for the first win in week five. The Blue Devils on the other hand are quietly playing well going into conference play. Stout shutout NAIA's Jamestown (31-0), then was right with NCC right up until the fourth quarter only to lose 37-10. The Devils then bounced back nicely against River Falls, 20-9. So far Clayt Birmingham's team has shown flashes of a once prominent Blue Devil defense. They've held two of its first three opponents under 10 points. I feel like I keep saying this each week, but the Blugolds have too many weapons to remain winless. They should be 1-4 at the conclusion of this game.
# 21 Oshkosh Titans (3-0) @ River Falls Falcons (0-3)
Of the four WIAC games being played Saturday, I think this will be the only one that gets out of hand in a hurry. After looking at it from different angles, I have a hard time finding a way UWRF stays in the this ball game. Oshkosh has been averaging over 44 points per game, while the Falcons have been giving up an excess of 31 points per game. The Titans have way too many weapons for the UWRF to account for. Including my favorite to win the WIAC Player of the Year, QB Nate Wara, who has been throwing for over 250 yards per game and running for an additional 98 ypg. The senior has accounted for 10 touchdowns in his first three games. I don't think Matt Walker's Falcons will have an answer for him. UWRF played a very winnable game to start the year, but fell 31-22 at home to Simpson. Then proceeded to lose big at St. Thomas, then again at home verses Stout. Oshkosh has been winning by an average of just about 30 points per game. Which includes wins over Central, La Crosse and Alma. Oshkosh will have their starters out by the third quarter, and will be 4-0 this season.
Here's to eveyone staying healthy and to a hard-fought week of WIAC football....Cheers!
With the exception of a few injuries, head coach Mike Emendorfer couldn't have asked for a better start to the season. So far there hasn't been a defense that's been able to slow down this extremely potent offense. In its first three games UWP has been scoring a staggering 52.3 points per contest, while winning by an average margin of 30 points. Those three wins went as followed: Buena Vista 56-13, Dubuque 52-35, and Eau Claire 49-19. It's still relatively early in the season, so it's hard to gage the level of competition the Pioneers have faced this year. In fact, their wins are against teams that have only one win combined this year (Dubuque beat Augustana in its opener). Still, it doesn't matter who they've played, what they have accomplished thus far is
beyond impressive. When Emendorfer took over as head coach in 1999, he made it abundantly clear on the style of offense he would be implementing at Platteville. "Yes, we will run the ball. We will run with it after we catch it," he stated in his introductory press conference 13 years ago. It took a little time, but it appears he finally has the pieces in place for a very lethal offense. UWP has averaged nearly 500 yards of offense a game (345.7 through the air). That's over 70 percent of its offensive production coming via the spread offense passing attack. They are led by senior quarterback John Kelly, who has been flirting with a 70 percent completion percentage this season and has yet to throw a pick. Kelly took over as head signal caller after starter Nick Anderson broke his collarbone in their second game. However, Emendorfer never considered Kelly as the backup, but rather "1B" (with Anderson being 1A). This couldn't be more apparent as Kelly has thrown for 770 yards in less than three full games. His receivers are very physical and have good size. Aaron Loferski (6'4" 184 lbs), Ryley Bailey (6'1" 200 lbs) and Trever Whitehead (5"11" 165) are the three leading wideouts for the Pioneers. Bailey leads all receivers with 23 receptions, 107 yards per game and five touchdowns. What's most impressive to me is that the Pioneer's offense have only turned the ball over once (Kelly fumble) this season. That and the fact Kelly has yet to be sacked this season is astounding. Putting up points early and often has really benefited Platteville's defense. It's forcing opposing offenses to become one dimensional and play catch up throughout the game. The defense has been giving up a modest 22.3 points per game, which is plenty enough to keep their team in the game, considering how quick their offense is capable of putting up points. Leading Pioneer tackler is Ryan McWethy with 30 total tackles. The senior defensive back also has one interception on the season. Platteville's linebackers are very active and have a knack for getting into the backfields to disrupt plays. Linebackers Jacob Zilbar, Nick Snyder and Dave Daino are the team's second, third and fourth leading tacklers. They also combine for six tackles for loss. Synder leads the team with 2.5 sacks.
beyond impressive. When Emendorfer took over as head coach in 1999, he made it abundantly clear on the style of offense he would be implementing at Platteville. "Yes, we will run the ball. We will run with it after we catch it," he stated in his introductory press conference 13 years ago. It took a little time, but it appears he finally has the pieces in place for a very lethal offense. UWP has averaged nearly 500 yards of offense a game (345.7 through the air). That's over 70 percent of its offensive production coming via the spread offense passing attack. They are led by senior quarterback John Kelly, who has been flirting with a 70 percent completion percentage this season and has yet to throw a pick. Kelly took over as head signal caller after starter Nick Anderson broke his collarbone in their second game. However, Emendorfer never considered Kelly as the backup, but rather "1B" (with Anderson being 1A). This couldn't be more apparent as Kelly has thrown for 770 yards in less than three full games. His receivers are very physical and have good size. Aaron Loferski (6'4" 184 lbs), Ryley Bailey (6'1" 200 lbs) and Trever Whitehead (5"11" 165) are the three leading wideouts for the Pioneers. Bailey leads all receivers with 23 receptions, 107 yards per game and five touchdowns. What's most impressive to me is that the Pioneer's offense have only turned the ball over once (Kelly fumble) this season. That and the fact Kelly has yet to be sacked this season is astounding. Putting up points early and often has really benefited Platteville's defense. It's forcing opposing offenses to become one dimensional and play catch up throughout the game. The defense has been giving up a modest 22.3 points per game, which is plenty enough to keep their team in the game, considering how quick their offense is capable of putting up points. Leading Pioneer tackler is Ryan McWethy with 30 total tackles. The senior defensive back also has one interception on the season. Platteville's linebackers are very active and have a knack for getting into the backfields to disrupt plays. Linebackers Jacob Zilbar, Nick Snyder and Dave Daino are the team's second, third and fourth leading tacklers. They also combine for six tackles for loss. Synder leads the team with 2.5 sacks.Warhawks
As good as Platteville's offense has been, Whitewater's defense has been equally as impressive. Including the week-three loss to Buffalo State, UWW has still only given up only 14 total points this season. This 4-3 defense is lead by a rotation of four extremely talented linebackers in Ryan Cortez (6'0" 218lbs), Kyle Wismer (6'3" 228lbs), Cole Klotz (6'4" 224lbs) and Josh Williams (6'0" 227lbs). You'll be hard-pressed to find a deeper and more athletic linebacking core in the country. Wismer ties the team lead with 17 total tackles. The junior also has two tackles for loss (one sack) and one interception. Williams and Klotz are also in the team's top five as far as total tackles. Just about equally as productive is the Warhawks secondary. After suffering a tough loss in preseason All American cornerback Noah Timm, the Warhawks have still managed to clamp down on opposing team's passing attack. Timm's backup, Marcus McLin, is tied with a team high three interceptions, one of which was returned for a touchdown. The star of the secondary has 
been safety Ryan Wenkman. The senior has 17 total tackles and three interceptions (both tied for team highs). In its first three games Lance Leipold's defense has forced 13 turnovers - nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries. The front four is lead by preseason All American defensive end Loussaint Minett. The senior leads the team with a pair of sacks, along with a forced fumble. As much as people are focusing on how this very frugal defense will match up against Platteville's prolific offense. This came could very well come down to how well Whitewater can move the ball on Platteville's defense. Given UWW's success over the better part of this decade, it's rare to question the Warhawks ability of move the ball. Although, two weeks ago against Buffalo State was the first time Leipold's offensive failed to get in the endzone. You'll have to go back to 2004 to last find when Whitewater didn't score a touchdown in a game. That's three years before Leipold took over as head coach. Starting his first full season at quarterback is Lee Brekke. If you follow DIII football closely you probably already know that Brekke led the Warhawks through the playoffs and to a Stagg Bowl victory in 2010. This occurred when starter Matt Blanchard, who now plays for the Chicago Bears, went down with a throwing hand injury. Then, as a sophomore, Brekke was thrown into a situation where he faced the best defenses DIII had to offer. So the team relied heavily on their rushing attack and their strong defense to get them to the Stagg Bowl. Now as a senior and team captain, Brekke is still trying to find his comfort zone within the offense. In three games he has four touchdowns along with three interceptions, and has a pedestrian 50.7 completion percentage. And I'm sure it doesn't help that preseason All American Tyler Huber is out for the year (ankle). The bread and butter of Whitewater's offense has always been their running attack, and this season it's lead by Dezmond Ward. The 6'0" 252lb senior is averaging 112.7 yards per game behind an improving offensive line. Ward has a pair of TDs, and is averaging over six yards per carry through three games.
been safety Ryan Wenkman. The senior has 17 total tackles and three interceptions (both tied for team highs). In its first three games Lance Leipold's defense has forced 13 turnovers - nine interceptions and four fumble recoveries. The front four is lead by preseason All American defensive end Loussaint Minett. The senior leads the team with a pair of sacks, along with a forced fumble. As much as people are focusing on how this very frugal defense will match up against Platteville's prolific offense. This came could very well come down to how well Whitewater can move the ball on Platteville's defense. Given UWW's success over the better part of this decade, it's rare to question the Warhawks ability of move the ball. Although, two weeks ago against Buffalo State was the first time Leipold's offensive failed to get in the endzone. You'll have to go back to 2004 to last find when Whitewater didn't score a touchdown in a game. That's three years before Leipold took over as head coach. Starting his first full season at quarterback is Lee Brekke. If you follow DIII football closely you probably already know that Brekke led the Warhawks through the playoffs and to a Stagg Bowl victory in 2010. This occurred when starter Matt Blanchard, who now plays for the Chicago Bears, went down with a throwing hand injury. Then, as a sophomore, Brekke was thrown into a situation where he faced the best defenses DIII had to offer. So the team relied heavily on their rushing attack and their strong defense to get them to the Stagg Bowl. Now as a senior and team captain, Brekke is still trying to find his comfort zone within the offense. In three games he has four touchdowns along with three interceptions, and has a pedestrian 50.7 completion percentage. And I'm sure it doesn't help that preseason All American Tyler Huber is out for the year (ankle). The bread and butter of Whitewater's offense has always been their running attack, and this season it's lead by Dezmond Ward. The 6'0" 252lb senior is averaging 112.7 yards per game behind an improving offensive line. Ward has a pair of TDs, and is averaging over six yards per carry through three games.La Crosse Eagles (1-2) @ Stevens Point Pointers (1-2)
I don't think anyone had a more gratifying week one than Joel Detwiler. His Eagles went on the road and knocked off (what was then) the No. 6 team in the country, North Central, 21-17. Since then UWL continued on its long road trip to start the year, and dropped two straight against equally tough opponents. One against DII Northern Michigan (24-6), and the other against nationally ranked Oshkosh (16-7). During this stretch the Eagles have struggled to find continuity in its offense, but has displayed a very strong defense. Whenever you can hold Oshkosh to 16 points that's a good indication your defense is doing its part. As far as Stevens Point goes, not too many people knew what to expect from them this year. Mostly due to the amount of turnover the team has endured, which includes: a good amount of starters, a new head coach, and even a new logo. Behind an athletic quarterback (Mitch Beau), the Pointers have shown flashes of a high-flying offense. However, they've struggled to find some consistency on both sides of the ball. Like the Eagles, the Pointers have spent its first three games on the road. UWSP lost their opener to an always tough St. Francis (NAIA) program. Then looked fantastic at Dubuque, putting up 55 points, only to lose to Whitewater 34-7 the ensuing week. If La Crosse can match the intensity they had for the NCC game in week one, they should find themselves at .500 after Saturday
Stout Blue Devils (2-1) @ Eau Claire Blugolds (0-3)
Here's an interesting match-up considering I would have penciled in UWEC as the clear-cut winner this game at the beginning of the season (maybe even after week one). I had high hopes for Eau Claire and their senior quarterback Austin Neu. Through the first three-and-a-half quarters against No. 8 St. Thomas, it appeared the WIAC would have two top 10 upsets in week one. However, following some questionable play calling and some poor turnovers, the Blugolds blew a late lead and lost a heart breaker. Since then their season has taken a turn for the worse, as each week they seem to be progressing in the wrong direction. Including last week's 49-19 blowout loss at Platteville. They went from should have beaten a top 10 team in the country in week one, to still looking for the first win in week five. The Blue Devils on the other hand are quietly playing well going into conference play. Stout shutout NAIA's Jamestown (31-0), then was right with NCC right up until the fourth quarter only to lose 37-10. The Devils then bounced back nicely against River Falls, 20-9. So far Clayt Birmingham's team has shown flashes of a once prominent Blue Devil defense. They've held two of its first three opponents under 10 points. I feel like I keep saying this each week, but the Blugolds have too many weapons to remain winless. They should be 1-4 at the conclusion of this game.
# 21 Oshkosh Titans (3-0) @ River Falls Falcons (0-3)
Of the four WIAC games being played Saturday, I think this will be the only one that gets out of hand in a hurry. After looking at it from different angles, I have a hard time finding a way UWRF stays in the this ball game. Oshkosh has been averaging over 44 points per game, while the Falcons have been giving up an excess of 31 points per game. The Titans have way too many weapons for the UWRF to account for. Including my favorite to win the WIAC Player of the Year, QB Nate Wara, who has been throwing for over 250 yards per game and running for an additional 98 ypg. The senior has accounted for 10 touchdowns in his first three games. I don't think Matt Walker's Falcons will have an answer for him. UWRF played a very winnable game to start the year, but fell 31-22 at home to Simpson. Then proceeded to lose big at St. Thomas, then again at home verses Stout. Oshkosh has been winning by an average of just about 30 points per game. Which includes wins over Central, La Crosse and Alma. Oshkosh will have their starters out by the third quarter, and will be 4-0 this season.
Here's to eveyone staying healthy and to a hard-fought week of WIAC football....Cheers!
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