Date: September 29th Time: 2:00 p.m. Location: River Falls Kickoff Forecast: 72 degrees; Sunny; No chance of rain; N wind at 7 mph Audio: WRFW 88.7 (UWRF); WOSH 1490 (UWO) Video: N/A Live Stats: N/A
Bye Week: None
All times Central
I won't be around to test all links as each game is being played. So, please give me a heads up if a certain link doesn't work, or if it takes you someplace else. Also fill me in if you come across a link that I don't have listed.
I believe it's safe to say that a flurry of emotion encompassed the WIAC football world during the first four weeks of this 2012 season. Everything from this could finally be our year, to woulda, coulda, shoulda, to OMG, the sky is falling! For the first time in a while there isn't a clear-cut favorite to walk away with the WIAC's 2012 Pool A playoff bid. As it stands today, three WIAC teams find themselves ranked in D3football.com's top 25. However, that probably won't last as each program prepares to do work on each other the next seven weeks. With WIAC play on the horizon, the first four weeks showed us that anything could happen. So buckle up boys and girls.
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.
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.
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!
Located at just about the northern most part of the UW-Whitewater campus lies Perkins Stadium. Originally called Warhawk Stadium when it was first build in 1970, it was then the third largest football stadium in Division III. On September 14, 1996 the stadium was rededicated Perkins Stadium, after former Whitewater football coach Forrest Perkins. It was the university's former chancellor's, H. Gaylon Greenhill, idea to rename the stadium in the coach's honor. In 2008 the stadium received new synthetic turf, bench areas, landscaping and other improvements including upgrades to the entrance area and scoreboard. With this upgrade the new seating capacity reached 13,500, making it the largest stadium in Division III. On October 9, 2010 the Warhawks defeated Stout 30-7 in front of a crowd of 12,189 fans. That is not only a Perkins Stadium record but also a WIAC record which stands today.
Warhawk Stadium (now Perkins Stadium) had replaced the old Hamilton Field, which was located in the heart of the campus. It was Perkins' dream, when he took over the heading coaching position in 1955, to build a new football stadium. Then build a powerhouse program worthy enough to play in it. Few would argue that he successfully accomplished both. One interesting note on the Warhawk Stadium project was that the original plans called for a eastside grandstand to be much like the current westside grandstand. Original plans called for the stadium to seat over 22,000 fans. Perk’s lasting legacy is why it's now named after him. It took seven years for the stadium to become a reality. Perkins spent several years working with many committees in Madison before getting approval from the UW Board of Regents to build the complex. A better location for the stadium could not have been chosen, as it's slightly carved in the southwest corner of the Whitewater Nature Preserve. The higher up in the grandstand you sit, the better view you'll have of the preserve. Early in the season is the best time to take in the sights, just when the trees begin to change colors as winter approaches.
The main parking lot just south of the stadium is where majority of the tailgating action takes place. In previous seasons it only cost $4.00 to park there. However, this season, it'll run you $10.00 each game (oh....the price of success). However, most of the surrounding lots is only about $5.00 to park/tailgate. You didn't hear this from me, but if you get there early enough you just might be able to sneak your vehicle in for free. Since Whitewater 's recent success, there's no shortage Warhawk pride among their fans. Warhawk flags, tents and purple gear encompasses the parking lot each home game. Then about an hour or two before kickoff, the school's marching band makes its way into the stadium, practicing along they way as they march straight through the parking lot. Hearing the rhythmic beating of drums and the harmonic melody of horns definitely adds a nice element to the pre-game festivities at any college football game.
Once inside it's hard to not take immediate notice of all the signs, banners and murals echoing the football team's success. Upon entry to the stadium it's hard to miss a huge mural pasted to the south end of the press box. The mural features larger than life images of past DIII Athletes of the Year, in their respective sports (not just football). Perkins Stadium offers a video scoreboard just beyond the north endzone. Graphics, replays and advertisements can be viewed there throughout the game. My only complaint is that because the scoreboard is on the northside of the playing field, the sun tends to hit directly on it. Which creates some glare making it difficult to view at times. The sounds system is second to none, as it could easily be heard outside parking lot. The stadium itself has transformed into a very valuable recruiting tool for Whitewater. Perkins Stadium proudly flaunts the football program's past national championships (2007, 2009, 2010 and 2011), along with displaying the number of conference titles achieved (32). Just past the south end endzone erects nine flag polls. In years passed each poll held a different flag from each WIAC football team. Now it consists of five Warhawk flags and four national championship flags (each one alternating each other). It's very clear that a lot of tradition (and money) has gone into this football program. Stadium and all.
The students occupy the middle of the grandstand in the first section, and they branch out from there. On days when the stadium is at its fullest, the students will take up the entire first section and squeeze themselves right up to the band (north side of the west grandstand). Like all student sections (at any collegiate sporting event at any level) they stand the entire game. During my visit I witnessed a fan who chose to sit and watch the game directly behind the standing students. To no avail, he spent sometime yelling at them to sit down so he can see. I should have tapped the poor chap on the shoulder and told him to move further up. Rookie mistake...he'll know next time.
Every resrouce you'll need to follow WIAC football this weekend
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(0-2) (2-0)
Date: September 20th Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Platteville Kickoff Forcast: 62 degrees; Partly cloudy; No chance of rain; WNW wind at 9 mph Audio: WPVL 107.1 (UWP) Sports Stream 2; WBIZ 1400 (UWEC) Video: Platteville Broadcast Live Stats: UWP Note: This is a non-conference matchup
(2-0)
Opponent:Alma College (0-3) Date: September 22th Time: 12:00 p.m. Location: Alma (MI) Kickoff Forcast: 54 degrees; Few showers; 30% chance of rain; NW wind at 14 mph Audio:WOSH 1490 (UWO) Video: Alma Broadcast Live Stats:
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(1-1) (1-1)
Date: September 22th Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: Whitewater Kickoff Forcast: 54 degrees; Partly cloudy (a.m. showers); 10% chance of rain; NW wind at 14 mph Audio: WKCH 106.5 (UWW); WPCN 92.1 (UWSP) Video: UWW Broadcast Live Stats: UWW Note: This is a non-conference matchup
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(1-1) (0-2)
Date: September 22th Time: 1:00 p.m. Location: River Falls Kickoff Forcast: 50 degrees; partly cloudy; 10% chance of rain; NNW wind at 16 mph Audio: WRFW 88.7 (UWRF); WMEQ 880 (Stout) Video: N/A Live Stats: N/A Note: This is a non-conference matchup
Bye Week: La Crosse
All times Central
I won't be around to test all links as each game is being played. So, please give me a heads up if a certain link doesn't work, or if it takes you someplace else. Also fill me in if you come across a link that I don't have listed.
In a previous blog post I briefly mentioned how UWEC will be conducting its own investigation into Todd Hoffner, regarding his time spent as the Blugold's head football coach from 1999 - 2005. Last month Hoffner was charged with two counts of child pornography after three videos of his children were found on his work cellphone.
It's recently been reported that Teresa O'Halloran, assistant to the chancellor for affirmative action at UWEC, found no evidence of child pornography during her probe. The university interviewed supervisors, athletes, co-workers and others whom Hoffner was in contact with during his time at Eau Claire.The same was reported when Minnesota's investigation came up empty when searching through Hoffner's personal computers at his home.
It has been well known that Hoffner's wife and attorney publicly rejected all charges against Todd. Calling the charges ridiculous and saying the videos simply captured the family's children being "silly". Hoffner remains on leave pending the Minnesota State University, Mankato, investigation.
Although no "child" pornography was discovered, MSU did ascertain a video of a nude adult male jumping off a boat in their search
With the lack of evidence, it appears that the case is leaning towards Hoffner being just irresponsible rather than guilty of a felony. The only thing he might be guilty of it is being stupid on what he stores on his work phone, IMHO.
Date: September 15th Time: 3:00 p.m. Location: Oshkosh Forcast: 77 degrees; Sunny; No chance of rain; 6 mph SE wind Audio:WKTY 580 (UWL); WOSH 1490 (UWO) Video: Oshkosh Broadcast Live Stats: UWO Note: This is a Non conference matchup
Opponent: Dubuque(1-1) Date: September 15th Time: 6:00 p.m. Location: Dubuque (IA) Forcast: 81 degrees; Mostly sunny; No chance of rain; 12 mph SW wind Audio: WPCN 92.1 (UWSP) Video: UD Broadcast Live Stats: UD
Bye Week: Eau Claire; River Falls and Platteville
All times Central
I won't be around to test all links as each game is being played. So, please give me a heads up if a certain link doesn't work, or if it takes you someplace else. Also fill me in if you come across a link that I don't have listed.
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