Whitewater Warhawks (6-3, 4-2) La Crosse Eagles (4-5, 3-3)
Warhawks
For the first time since 2004 the Warhawks will be ending their season in early November. However, this senior class has rightfully earned three NCAA national championship rings (2009, 2010 and 2011). There's not a whole a lot of collegiate athletes out there (old or new) that can say they accomplished that.....at any level. Even given what they've achieved, I bet every senior wishes this season would have gone a little differently. But they have nothing to be ashamed of. Whitewater will have to wait at least one more season to tie La Crosse for the most WIAC championships in conference history (33). On the other hand, if Whitewater wins this Saturday, head coach Lance
Leipold can tie Platteville coaching great George Chryst with 79 career WIAC victories. Those 79 wins is the 11th most in conference history, and most among active head* coaches. As far as this game is concerned, Whitewater's defense matches fairly well against this La Crosse offense. The Warhawks bring the conference's strongest scoring defense (11.3 points/game) to La Crosse, who has the WIAC's second lowest scoring offense (16.7 ppg). To say the Eagles' backfield has been plagued with injuries might be an understatement. Last week they were down to a few true freshmen running backs who started the season no higher than fourth on the depth chart. The freshmen were serviceable in the win last Saturday against a mediocre River Falls rush defense. However, that'll be a different story this weekend considering UWW has the country's third best defense against the run (52.8 yards/game). Stopping the run will inevitably force the Eagles to many second (and third) and longs, burdening them to throw. If that's the case, Whitewater will be rushing the passer every chance they get. As I've mentioned numerous times already, the Eagles have been unable to provide any resemblance of a pass defense for quarterback Andy Sires. As of week nine the La Crosse offensive line has given up a WIAC leading 40 sacks. Only three teams in all of DIII has more. I wouldn't be surprised if Whitewater's defensive line steps off the bus wearing lobster bibs in anticipation for this matchup.
Leipold can tie Platteville coaching great George Chryst with 79 career WIAC victories. Those 79 wins is the 11th most in conference history, and most among active head* coaches. As far as this game is concerned, Whitewater's defense matches fairly well against this La Crosse offense. The Warhawks bring the conference's strongest scoring defense (11.3 points/game) to La Crosse, who has the WIAC's second lowest scoring offense (16.7 ppg). To say the Eagles' backfield has been plagued with injuries might be an understatement. Last week they were down to a few true freshmen running backs who started the season no higher than fourth on the depth chart. The freshmen were serviceable in the win last Saturday against a mediocre River Falls rush defense. However, that'll be a different story this weekend considering UWW has the country's third best defense against the run (52.8 yards/game). Stopping the run will inevitably force the Eagles to many second (and third) and longs, burdening them to throw. If that's the case, Whitewater will be rushing the passer every chance they get. As I've mentioned numerous times already, the Eagles have been unable to provide any resemblance of a pass defense for quarterback Andy Sires. As of week nine the La Crosse offensive line has given up a WIAC leading 40 sacks. Only three teams in all of DIII has more. I wouldn't be surprised if Whitewater's defensive line steps off the bus wearing lobster bibs in anticipation for this matchup.
*Current assistant coaches John Miech (UWW) and John O'Grady (UWO) had more wins during their head coach days. Miech had 156 career wins at UWSP (4th all time), while O'Grady had 105 wins at UWRF (6th all time).
Eagles
If the Eagles want to pull of this Senior Day upset, their front seven must stop Whitewater's running attack. Although, as this season has progressed, beating Whitewater is considered less of an upset, and more of an achievable task for many teams. Anyways, I would expect La Crosse to challenge the Warhawks at the line of scrimmage, daring Whitewater's quarterback Matt Behrendt to pass the ball. The more they force Whitewater to throw, the greater opportunity La Crosse will have to finish above .500 in the WIAC. The Eagles' pass defensive hasn't been great this season, but it doesn't really need to be on Saturday. UWW has
the worst passing attack (I use "attack" loosely) in the WIAC this season, throwing for only 177.6 yards/game. The Warhawks have also been generous in turning the ball over. UWW has 21 turnovers this year, third most in the WIAC. Things could get very interesting on both sides of the ball if Whitewater gets inside La Crosse's redzone. Through nine games the Eagles have one of the better redzone defenses in the conference. They are not allowing opponents to score 28.9 percent of the time (third best). On the flip side, this has been a huge area of concern for Whitewater on offense. They have failed to come away with any points on 10 different occasions inside redzone this year, tied for the most in conference. That includes a conference leading three redzone fumbles this season. That could be very interesting considering UWL leads the conference in forcing nine redzone turnovers. In the secondary, La Crosse has a pair of very good tackling defensive backs in Jake Meckstroth and Max Nicholson. The senior, Meckstroth, is averaging eight tackles per game. Good enough for fourth in the WIAC. While the sophomore, Nicholson, is getting 7.8/game (fifth in conference). Another defensive player for the Eagles, that could potentially inpact the game, is defensive lineman Nick Berg. The junior is second in conference with five sacks on the year. What will benefit the UWL defense tremendously this game will be All-World punter Christian Hallingstad. The senior will do his part by pinning the Warhawks deep in their zone, forcing them to drive the length of the field to score. Hallingstad leads the nation in punting, averaging 44.7 yards per punt.
the worst passing attack (I use "attack" loosely) in the WIAC this season, throwing for only 177.6 yards/game. The Warhawks have also been generous in turning the ball over. UWW has 21 turnovers this year, third most in the WIAC. Things could get very interesting on both sides of the ball if Whitewater gets inside La Crosse's redzone. Through nine games the Eagles have one of the better redzone defenses in the conference. They are not allowing opponents to score 28.9 percent of the time (third best). On the flip side, this has been a huge area of concern for Whitewater on offense. They have failed to come away with any points on 10 different occasions inside redzone this year, tied for the most in conference. That includes a conference leading three redzone fumbles this season. That could be very interesting considering UWL leads the conference in forcing nine redzone turnovers. In the secondary, La Crosse has a pair of very good tackling defensive backs in Jake Meckstroth and Max Nicholson. The senior, Meckstroth, is averaging eight tackles per game. Good enough for fourth in the WIAC. While the sophomore, Nicholson, is getting 7.8/game (fifth in conference). Another defensive player for the Eagles, that could potentially inpact the game, is defensive lineman Nick Berg. The junior is second in conference with five sacks on the year. What will benefit the UWL defense tremendously this game will be All-World punter Christian Hallingstad. The senior will do his part by pinning the Warhawks deep in their zone, forcing them to drive the length of the field to score. Hallingstad leads the nation in punting, averaging 44.7 yards per punt.
River Falls Falcons (2-7, 2-4) @ Eau Claire Blugolds (3-6, 3-3)
With a strong performance this Saturday, running back Joel Sweeney has a chance to end the year as the WIAC's leading rusher. So far on the season the junior has 942 yards (22 more than second place Desmin Ward - UWW). The last time a Blugold led the conference in rushing was Darrell Souhrada in 2000. Sweeney has been an absolute work horse for this team. His 232 carries is the third most among DIII running backs this year. As for River Falls, a win would guarantee them a spot not at the bottom of the conference. Which is where the Falcons have ended up every year since 2007. We'll see if coach Matt Walker can use this season as a spring board to turn this program into a more competitive team in years to come.
Platteville Pioneers (7-2, 4-2) @ Stevens Point Pointers (2-7, 1-5)
With two losses the Pioneers' chances of getting a Pool C bid is a long shot....but still possible. Among the current two-loss Pool C eligible teams in DIII, UWP probably has one of the better chances for a bid. Looking back, losing at home to now unranked Whitewater team is what might ultimately keep them from getting in. Given how great their offense is, it would be fun to see them in action against other teams around the country in the tournament. As for Stevens Point, they had their shinning moment of the season by ending Whitewater's playoff hopes. Nothing would please them more than to do the same to Platteville.
Oshkosh Titans (9-0, 6-0) @ Stout Blue Devils (3-6, 1-5)
I'm sure if you ask coach Pat Cerroni what would make this weekend perfect, he probably would respond with this: "Get an early sizable lead at Stout. Sit my starters the entire second half. Then sit around Sunday and watch my team get the number one seed on the DIII football selection show." A victory this weekend at Menomonie would grant the Titans their first undefeated regular season since 1935. Stout, on the other hand, will do everything in their power to prevent this from occurring. The Blue Devils will be looking to avoid having their worst season since 2006 when they went 3-7 (1-6 in conference).
Note: I apologize to Eau Claire fans. I believe they were the only program I didn't fit into my Game of the Week. I'm sorry for the omission. I typically try to feature each team at least once each season there.
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