Stevens Point Pointers (1-3, 0-1) Stout Blue Devils (2-2, 0-1)
@ 
Pointers
The season got off to a relatively good start for first year head coach Tom Journell, considering he had to play his first three games on the road. After a one-score loss in St. Francis (NAIA), Point appeared they were heading in the right direction after the bye with a beat-down win at Dubuque. Then, unfortunately, the Pointers ran into a very frustrated Whitewater team at an inopportune time in week four for their second loss on the season. For UWSP's first home game (last week), they suffered a heart breaker in their conference opener. They allowed a last-minute game-winning touchdown drive to La Crosse and fell to 1-3 on the year, 0-1 in the WIAC. Now it's back on the road for two more games, and, yes, that makes five of Journell's first six games away from Goerki Field. Next stop: Menomonie. Journell's team is centered around the athleticism of quarterback Mitch Beau, who accounts for nearly 70 percent of the team's offense. The junior
is averaging a WIAC leading 245 yards per game through the air, and contributing another 26 on the ground. He is tied with a team high three rushing touchdowns, while throwing for another five. However, accuracy has been an issue for Beau through four games. He's completing under 60 percent of his passes, and has thrown more interceptions (six) than TDs. Steven's Point tends to be a little predictable at times, as their passing game accounts for over 62 percent of its offense. This makes it easier for defenses as the sit back and anticipate the play calling. Beau does get the luxury of playing behind an absolute massive offensive line that averages 283 pounds per lineman. Their heights ranges anywhere from 6'0" to 6'6"! Despite having Stonehenge for offensive linemen, starting off strong has been a concern for the Pointers. They've been outscored 40-20 in the first quarter. Forced to play catch-up, they've managed to outscore their opponents 89-66 the rest of the game. That plus 23 point scoring differential after the first quarter is nice, but as Point's record suggests, it still isn't enough to over come their first quarter lapses. While Journell's offense has been putting up 27.2 points per game, his defense has been surrendering a dismal 26.5 ppg. Turnovers have been another concern for Point. They have only forced seven turnovers (second fewest in the WIAC), while turning the ball over 12 times (second most in the conference). Leading the defense has been linebackers Cody and Bo Seibel. These brothers from Kewaskum are the top two tacklers for the Pointers. Together they account for 83 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and one fumble recovery through four games. Cody is responsible for 51 of those tackles and 4.5 of the sacks...both are team leading. A big factor in Point giving up 26+ ppg has been their inability to get opposing team's offenses off the field. UWSP have yielded 94 first downs (10 coming via penalty) - both most in WIAC. So, it should come as no surprise that Stevens Point has the worst Time of Possession in the conference (27:17). That doesn't bode well considering they are playing a Stout team that has excelled in controlling the clock this season.
is averaging a WIAC leading 245 yards per game through the air, and contributing another 26 on the ground. He is tied with a team high three rushing touchdowns, while throwing for another five. However, accuracy has been an issue for Beau through four games. He's completing under 60 percent of his passes, and has thrown more interceptions (six) than TDs. Steven's Point tends to be a little predictable at times, as their passing game accounts for over 62 percent of its offense. This makes it easier for defenses as the sit back and anticipate the play calling. Beau does get the luxury of playing behind an absolute massive offensive line that averages 283 pounds per lineman. Their heights ranges anywhere from 6'0" to 6'6"! Despite having Stonehenge for offensive linemen, starting off strong has been a concern for the Pointers. They've been outscored 40-20 in the first quarter. Forced to play catch-up, they've managed to outscore their opponents 89-66 the rest of the game. That plus 23 point scoring differential after the first quarter is nice, but as Point's record suggests, it still isn't enough to over come their first quarter lapses. While Journell's offense has been putting up 27.2 points per game, his defense has been surrendering a dismal 26.5 ppg. Turnovers have been another concern for Point. They have only forced seven turnovers (second fewest in the WIAC), while turning the ball over 12 times (second most in the conference). Leading the defense has been linebackers Cody and Bo Seibel. These brothers from Kewaskum are the top two tacklers for the Pointers. Together they account for 83 total tackles, 7.5 tackles for loss, 5.0 sacks and one fumble recovery through four games. Cody is responsible for 51 of those tackles and 4.5 of the sacks...both are team leading. A big factor in Point giving up 26+ ppg has been their inability to get opposing team's offenses off the field. UWSP have yielded 94 first downs (10 coming via penalty) - both most in WIAC. So, it should come as no surprise that Stevens Point has the worst Time of Possession in the conference (27:17). That doesn't bode well considering they are playing a Stout team that has excelled in controlling the clock this season.
After a few years hiatus, Clayt Birmingham's team is quickly resembling the defensively sound robust program they once were. Through four games the Blue Devils are statistically in the top three of every defensive category in the WIAC. That's right...every one!! No other team in the conference can say that about themselves. I knew they were playing well on that side of the ball, but not that well. And it's not like they were playing teams from the NESCAC. Their schedule included a game against nationally ranked North Central College. What impresses me the most is they have 13 sacks on the year thus far, which ties Oshkosh for the most in conference. That's remarkable considering they haven't been running up the score on opponents to the point where the other team has to pass to get back into the game. Stout is accomplishing this when the threat to run is still a viable option for their opposition. Whereas, the 13 sacks for Oshkosh makes sense. Taking into account they are forcing offenses to 
become one dimensional when they get an early sizable lead. Which is not the case at all with Stout. Ryan Erickson leads the conference with 4.5 sacks this year. The senior defensive lineman has also 5.5 tackles for loss, good enough for second in the WIAC. A good matchup to keep an eye on will be how well Erickson goes up against those monsters on Points' offensive line. Furthermore, on defense, the Blue Devils are the only team yet to give up a 4th down conversion. Teams are 0-8 on fourth downs against them this year. Being able to slowdown offenses has lead Stout to have the second best Time of Possession in the conference (only behind Whitewater). This should be an interesting matchup considering, like I stated above, Stevens Point has been troublesome at controlling the clock. As good as their defense has been, it's astounding they haven't forced as many turnovers as you might think. Actually, Stout has the worst turnover margin (just behind Point) in the conference this season. Birmingham's defense only has seven takeaways - only Eau Claire has fewer with five - with the offense turning it over a WIAC leading 13 times. Speaking of their offense, they seem to be in a bit of a transition period. This team had to replace three offensive starters on their line as well as their quarterback from a season ago. Struggling to find any rhythm they've only been able to find the endzone on eight occasions this year. Only River Falls on has fewer TDs with six. Quarterback Michael Blizel will be looking to turn his season around. He's been struggling to hit his targets with any consistency. The senior has the lowest completion percentage in conference (51.7%), and has thrown a WIAC leading seven interceptions along with tossing only five touchdowns. This seems to be a lingering issue for the Blue Devils, as they experienced similar hardships at this position in 2011. Looking at the number of times Blizel has been hit, the offense line hasn't been making things easy on him. The o-line has given up 10 sacks in four games (third most in the WIAC). Stout's rushing attack has been the silver lining for the offense. Eric Brown has been averaging just shy of 93 yards per game, and almost five yards per carry. The senior has 371 yards on the year, good enough for fourth best in the conference. However, he has yet to find the endzone running the ball. If Stout can do what they do best and control the clock. They'll be able to keep Beau off the field and improve to 3-2 on the year and get their first WIAC win.
become one dimensional when they get an early sizable lead. Which is not the case at all with Stout. Ryan Erickson leads the conference with 4.5 sacks this year. The senior defensive lineman has also 5.5 tackles for loss, good enough for second in the WIAC. A good matchup to keep an eye on will be how well Erickson goes up against those monsters on Points' offensive line. Furthermore, on defense, the Blue Devils are the only team yet to give up a 4th down conversion. Teams are 0-8 on fourth downs against them this year. Being able to slowdown offenses has lead Stout to have the second best Time of Possession in the conference (only behind Whitewater). This should be an interesting matchup considering, like I stated above, Stevens Point has been troublesome at controlling the clock. As good as their defense has been, it's astounding they haven't forced as many turnovers as you might think. Actually, Stout has the worst turnover margin (just behind Point) in the conference this season. Birmingham's defense only has seven takeaways - only Eau Claire has fewer with five - with the offense turning it over a WIAC leading 13 times. Speaking of their offense, they seem to be in a bit of a transition period. This team had to replace three offensive starters on their line as well as their quarterback from a season ago. Struggling to find any rhythm they've only been able to find the endzone on eight occasions this year. Only River Falls on has fewer TDs with six. Quarterback Michael Blizel will be looking to turn his season around. He's been struggling to hit his targets with any consistency. The senior has the lowest completion percentage in conference (51.7%), and has thrown a WIAC leading seven interceptions along with tossing only five touchdowns. This seems to be a lingering issue for the Blue Devils, as they experienced similar hardships at this position in 2011. Looking at the number of times Blizel has been hit, the offense line hasn't been making things easy on him. The o-line has given up 10 sacks in four games (third most in the WIAC). Stout's rushing attack has been the silver lining for the offense. Eric Brown has been averaging just shy of 93 yards per game, and almost five yards per carry. The senior has 371 yards on the year, good enough for fourth best in the conference. However, he has yet to find the endzone running the ball. If Stout can do what they do best and control the clock. They'll be able to keep Beau off the field and improve to 3-2 on the year and get their first WIAC win.Platteville Pioneers (3-1, 0-1) @ La Crosse Eagles (2-2, 0-1)
After four long weeks the Eagles finally get to play a home game. However, that doesn't make things any easier as they go up against a very tough (and vengeful) Platteville team. Like a handful of teams in the WIAC, La Crosse is lead by its defense but has a tendency to struggle moving the ball on offense. In fact, La Crosse has only managed to average 220 yards per game, and score six offensive touchdowns (both worst in the WIAC). Platteville on the other hand brings a very potent offense to Veterans Memorial Field, but will be without their top two QBs (Nick Anderson and John Kelly). They will rely on sophomore Bryce Corrigan to run this high flying offense. I'm sure UWP head coach Mike Emendorfer will be urging his team not to look past La Crosse to next week's match up against Oshkosh. Just like North Central experienced, the Eagles are capable of beating just about anyone.
Eau Claire Blugolds (1-3, 1-0) @ Oshkosh Titans (4-0, 1-0)
At the beginning of the season I circled this game "assuming" I would see the two best quarterbacks in the WIAC square off against each other. The Titans' Nate Wara has been spectacular, leading the conference in total offense and he is also the WIAC's 5th leading rusher. The senior has been averaging over 309 yards per game (219 passing and 90 rushing), and is the second most efficient QB in the conference throwing only one interception. He has accounted for 10 of his teams 19 total touchdowns. For the Blugolds, QB Austin Neu has struggled in the early part of the season. The senior had high expectations to lead a dangerous offense, but has labored to find some regularity. Neu only threw seven picks all of last season, but already has five through four games this year. He has also averaged over 54 fewer passing yards per game this season when compared to his junior year. Wara can further cement his Player of the Year candidacy this week against a very passive Blugold defense. UWEC has been giving up 30 points per game and 273 passing ypg... both worst in the conference.
River Falls Falcons (0-4, 0-1) @ Whitewater Warhawks (3-1, 1-0)
In years past this was typically just a gloried scrimmage for Whitewater, just to prepare for the following game on Saturday. This year, however, Whitewater has appeared extremely vulnerable, and was a made extra point away from being 2-2 on the season. I'm not suggesting the Warhawks will lose this game, but River Falls is coming off an exceedingly strong defensive effort against Oshkosh last Saturday. UWRF has been giving up over 28 points per game, but held one of the conference's best offenses to just 19 points, including only three first half field goals. If Matt Walker's team can apply the same pressure to a struggling Warhawk offense, they just might keep themselves in this game. However, I don't see how the Falcons will be able to move the ball against this tough Whitewater defense. This could just be the matchup Whitewater's quarterback, Lee Brekke, needs to gain some confidence. River Falls' defense has yielded the most passing yards per game - 273.2, tied with UWEC for the most in the WIAC.
Here's to everyone starying healthy, and another hard-fought WIAC football weekend. Cheers!
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