WIAC Midseason Report

With a little more than half of the 2012 season already behind us, I thought it would be a good idea to acknowledge some of the highs and lows this season has brought us. We've witnessed no shortage of surprises, disappointments and things to remain optimistic about. However, one thing remains constant though: The WIAC continues to persevere as the most competitive conference in the country. Maybe even now more then ever considering the rest of the WIAC seems to be within an arm's length of the once invincible Warhawks.

Before you start I want to apologize ahead of time for the abundance of stats I'm about to throw you at you. Oh, one more thing....we're doing this report Client Eastwood style: The Good, The Bad and The Ugly

Good

• Nate Wara - What can I say, it's his WIAC Player of the Year to lose. He leads the conference in total offense (299.3), and passing yards (218.5) per game. He's also the WIAC's fourth leading rusher with 80.8 ypg. Of the WIAC quarterbacks that have played the entire season, he's thrown the least amount of picks (1) and the most TDs (10). He leads a team that has the most balance offensive attack in the WIAC and has accounted for over 57 percent of the team's total offense. And this is a team that ranks first in total offense with 517.8 ypg. As far as the Player of the Year goes, I'm certain it won't be coming from a Whitewater player for a change. Since 2004, there's only been one player that wasn't a Warhawk to achieve the WIAC Player of the Year Award (UWSP's Brad Vickroy in 2008).
• Platteville's QB Depth - It's mind numbing that a third-string sophomore quarterback can land himself on the D3football.com's Team of the Week after his first collegiate start. There's some WIAC programs would kill for their first-string QB to be even considered for that recognition. I would entertain the idea that all three of Platteville's QBs (Nick Anderson, John Kelly and Bryce Corrigan) would be good enough to start at any WIAC school (with the exception being Oshkosh). The Pioneers' three-headed monster combine for throwing 18 touchdowns, 2000 yards passing and a 69.8 completion percentage.
• River Falls' Defense - Yes, I realize there's other defenses worth mentioning before River Falls. And I'm well aware they give up a little over 27 points per game. Even so....Coach Matt Walker has to be proud on what they've accomplished defensively this season. At the halfway point of the season the Falcons rank 5th in total defense. Which is outstanding considering they haven't finished better than seventh since 2005. The mere fact they held Oshkosh to just 19 points (when they average close to 40) deserves some recognition. Of course their offense isn't doing them any favors. They have the worst third-down conversion rate in the WIAC, putting even that much more strain on the defense to succeed.
• Whitewater's Defense - Even though the Warhawks seem to be down this season, not one ounce of that blame can be placed on the defense. On top of leading the way defensively in the WIAC, they also are among the nation's best: 1st in rushing (29.17yards/game), 3rd in scoring (7.83 points/game), and 3rd in total defense (211.5 ypg). UWW has held their opponents to a touchdown or less in five of its first six games, including a pair of shutouts. They've been putting up these gaudy numbers despite losing their preseason All American cornerback, Noah Timm, in the preseason. Even without Timm, the Warhawks lead the country in interceptions with 18. Among the Warhawk leaders are Ryan Wenkman (4), Marcus McLin (3), Andrew Kiester (3) and Cole Klotz (3).  
• La Crosse @ North Central (21-17) - By far the year's most impressive win among WIAC teams. In his season's opener, Joel Dettwiler's Eagles came into NCC and held the 6th ranked Cardinals to just 17 points that Saturday afternoon. Since then, NCC has averaged better than 44 points/game. 14 of UWL's 21 points came off defensive touchdowns (fumble and interceptions return). My favorite aspect of the game was the Eagle's fourth quarter defense. They forced NCC to end their drives in the following fashion that quarter: Interception, fumble, fumble, interception and interception. UWL forced six total turnovers on the day. This was a fantastic start for the WIAC, having an unranked team go on the road and knock off a top ten program from strong conference (CCIW).
• WIAC's #1 Ranking - Through much debate on the DIII message boards, the WIAC ranks (again) as the nation's toughest conference. At first glance, their 8-8 nonconference record is anything but impressive. However, consider for moment who they've played: NCC (twice), St. Thomas (twice), St. Johns, Central to name a few strong DIII programs. Not to mention scholarship-offering programs such as St. Francis and Jamestown (both NAIA), as well as Northern Michigan from DII. For a conference to play those teams (and more), and still finish .500 in noncoference games speaks volumes about the strength of the WIAC. Although, this is nothing new to the DIII world. In fact D3football.com ranks the WIAC as the best DIII football conference since they starting ranking them in 2002..
• Three Ranked Teams - The WIAC currently places three teams in D3football.com's Top 25. Whitewater (5th), Oshkosh (10th) and Platteville (20th). Even though Oshkosh comes to Whitewater this weekend, I don't see the outcome of that game jeopardizing either team from dropping off the poll. In fact, looking at the final four weeks of their schedule, there's a very good chance all three teams will remain in the top 25 when the polls close in December. If that would occur, it would be the first time three WIAC teams finished in the top 25 during the D3football.com Top 25 era*. Of course I'm assuming another melt down doesn't occur. Like when a two-win La Crosse team wins at Oshkosh, dissolving what ever post-season hopes the Titans had last year.
• The John and Randy Show - I would like to thank John (anchor) and Randy (videographer) for providing My Little WIAC Football Blog their weekly Wrap-up reports. Over the weeks I couldn't help but notice their ever expanding budget as various props are regularly added to their set. Although, those props do suggest a certain preconception towards a particular team....but that's OK. There's room for a little biased reporting here.
• History of the WSUC - I know I'm getting a little off topic here, but I've vastly enjoyed Ronald Smith's From Normal School To State University: A History Of The Wisconsin State University Conference. This dissertation was written by Smith in 1969 to fulfill his doctoral degree requirements at UW-Madison. In recognition of the conference's Centennial Celebration, the WIAC has been releasing Smith's work one chapter each month for everyone to enjoy. It discusses how athletics in the east made its way across the country, inspiring Wisconsin colleges to form athletic programs in the late 1800s. The first two chapters have already been distributed. The PDFs can be read on the WIAC website. The third and fourth installments will be available in November and December. So, sit down, put on your favorite snuggie and please read this peice of WIAC history.

Bad

• Austin Neu - Ok, I know, "bad" might be a little harsh. But I've personally talked to Blugold fans that are very frustrated with how this season has gone. I realize things haven't been completely Neu's fault, but the senior hasn't exactly been playing up to his potential. He did lose the majority of his receiving core from 2011. However, better on-field decisions could have been made this year. In 2011, Neu threw for a WIAC leading 248 yards/game, while completing 65.7 percent of his passes. This year he's only averaging 154.3 ypg, and is on pace for five fewer TDs and three more Ints than a year ago. Neu's completion percentage is also suffering, down 10 points from 2011. I'll will listen to the argument that the play calling gets predictable in the second half of games. Given the fact their defense can't seem to stop anyone, forcing Neu and the Blugold offense to narrow the playbook down and play catch-up. More on the defense later on......
• River Falls' Offense - Not too many bright spots here. Scored under 10 points in four of their first five games, including getting shutout in Whitewater. They average just over 12 points/game. Only 13 DIII programs average less. The Falcons are gaining just under 283 yards per game, ranking them 194th out of 239 DIII teams. Quarterback Ryan Kusilek is ranked 17th in the country in completions per game (23.3), but that can be viewed both good and bad given how much they are forced to pass. The freshman is on pace for 421 attempts this year. Which is enough to land him 10th in the WIAC record book for passes attempted in a season. Not quite the record you're looking to achieve, but as a freshman - you'll take it!
• La Crosse's and Steven Points' Schedule - Talk about being setup to fail. Five of the Eagle's first six games were on the road: at NCC, at Northern Michigan (DII), at Oshkosh, at Stevens Point, home vs. Platteville, and finally at Eau Claire. Frankly, I'm stunned La Crosse even won two of those games. Point experienced similar hardships to start their season. Five of their first six games were also on the road: at St. Francis (NAIA), at Dubuque, at Whitewater, home vs. La Crosse, at Stout and at River Falls. That's just ruthless. It's not shocking that both teams have combined for three wins during that stretch.
• Whitewater vs. Buffalo State (6-7) - Coming off the bye week Whitewater faced an unranked 1-1 Buffalo State team for its home opener. Warhawk fans had little to be concerned about going into this game. After all, the Warhawks won their first game easily, 34-0. They had a great defense and a "progressing" offense. The Bengals, not at all known for its defense, absolutely shut down the Warhawk's attack that afternoon. They blew away the DIII football world winning 7-6. I understand that Whitewater's offense is light years away from what we're used to seeing. But how Buffalo State managed to hold the Warhawks to just two field goals is still a mystery to me. Where's Robert Stack when you need him?!?! Apart from the Whitewater game, Buffalo State's defense has given up over 32 points/game. Hell, Utica put up 51 on them. Utica!!! 
• Stout's Punting - Currently ranked 219th in the country by only netting 26.9 yards per punt. Between this and their subpar turnover margin, I wish there was a stat listing each team's average starting field position for the season. My guess is that the Blugold's would not be pretty.
• Whitewater's Passing - This is last on the "Bad" list because I was this close from adding it to "Ugly". Their passing game (on the road) against a good Stout defense saved them from being moved one category down. Regardless, this facet of their offense has been FAR from what anyone is used to seeing out of Whitewater. There have been whispers that quarterback Lee Brekke, captain of team, is in jeopardy of losing his starting job. The senior has the conference's second worst yardage among six-game starters (148 ypg). As a team, the Warhawks average 154 ypg, good enough for 180th in the country. Also, not one Warhawk wideout ranks among the top 10 in receiving in the WIAC.

Ugly

• La Crosse's Offensive - To say the least, it's been very "offensive"...one of the worst in the country in fact. They average under 234 ypg - 15th worst in DIII. They had a golden opportunity to put points on the board against a very generous Eau Claire defense this past weekend. However, they failed to get in the endzone, and were held to just three field goals. The Eagles have been terribly missing running back Ben Hertrampf (all conference in 2011). The junior will miss the remainder of the season after suffering a season-ending injury earlier in the year. UWL has been only averaging 12 points per game, and that includes two defensive touchdowns. They've managed only one passing touchdown on the season which came back in week two. That one touchdown is tied for the fewest thrown in the nation. Their offensive line has given up a gaudy 24 sacks in six games this year. That's four sacks per game, which is 10th worst in all of DIII!
• Eau Claire vs. St. Thomas (24-27) - Just as word started to spread that unranked La Crosse upset No. 6 NCC, Eau Claire found themselves up 24-13 well into the fourth quarter against No. 8 St. Thomas. With under four minutes left in the game it almost came a reality that the WIAC would knock off two top 10 ranked programs to start the 2012 season. I was literary reaching for my computer, about tell anyone who was willing to listen that the WIAC was unstoppable!! Then things went down the pooper. With a touchdown the Tommies made things interesting, cutting the lead to 24-20. Then on Eau Claire's very next play from scrimmage, Neu tried to complete an impossible pass when getting dragged to the ground, resulting in a UST interception. Three plays later St. Thomas scores on a 32 yard run to take the lead - and the game. Up by four. With the ball. Under four minutes left. St. Thomas can't stop the clock. Why UWEC elected to pass on first down there is beyond me. In a span of 40 seconds, Eau Claire went from a two-score lead to down by three. *big frustrated sigh*
• Eau Claire Defense -  I don't mean to pick on the Blugolds too much here, but UWEC's defense has been abysmal this season. Rather than bore you with the details, trust me when I say that Eau Claire ranks dead last in just about every defensive category in the WIAC. Last week they did manage play a little better, as they kept a La Crosse out of the endzone. Then again, as we just learned, the Eagles have one of the worst offense in the country this season.

I'm interested to hear other people's thoughts on the WIAC midway through the season. Anything you disagree with? Anything I left out? Clint Eastwood picture too big?



* The D3football.com Top 25 was first voted on in 2003.