UW-W enters WIAC play with a 3-0 record, having outscored their opponents 125 to 21. Last season, the Warhawks outgained the Pioneers 637 yards to 184 in beating the Pioneers in Platteville, 49-17.
The Pioneers Offense vs The Warhawks Defense
The Pioneers head into the game with a 60/40 run pass ratio this season. Last week's LaCrosse game is probably an indicator of how they will try to attack a good defensive team in a competitive game. The game was within one score until just over two minutes remained. The Pioneers ran the ball 36 times and passed 35. In their lone defeat, the Pioneers trailed most of the second half, a good part of it by two scores. They still maintained their balance for the game, rushing 30 times and throwing the ball 32. The seasonal 60/40 run pass ratio was created by playing from the lead in their other two games.
A major setback for the Pioneers is the probable unavailability of QB Nick Anderson for this contest due to injury. Anderson has completed 60.2% of his passes for 609 yards and 5 TD's this year. He has also gained 227 yards rushing (35.7% of the Pioneer's total rushing yardage), averaging 6.1 yards per attempt. 6'0" Sophomore Bryce Corrigan is expected to replace Anderson. The two split time last week against LaCrosse, but Anderson is not listed on the two-deep roster for the UW-W game. Last week, Corrigan completed 12 of 20 passes for 146 yards and a touchdown. Corrigan hit wide receiver Jeff Bracken for a 65 yard first quarter touchdown. His other 19 passes netted a total of only 81 yards.
Leading the rushing attack is junior Lee Vlasic. Vlasic has averaged 71.5 yards per game rushing, but only 3.2 yards per carry. If indeed Anderson does not play, will be more important than ever for Vlasic to get untracked on Saturday. If the offense become one dimensional, it could become disastrous for the Pioneers. Corrigan is not nearly as mobile or experienced as Anderson. UW-W has a fast, ball hawking defense that has taken the ball away nine times in 3 games. The challenge of beating them with a backup quarterback will be enormous.
Leading receiver Darin Blaser (19 receptions for 197 yards and 2 touchdowns) is another Pioneer who is not showing up on the 2 Deep Roster for the UW-W game. If Blaser doesn't play, it will be another blow to the Pioneer offense. Jeff Bracken and Aaron Loferski are the other top UW-P receivers with 16 and 13 receptions respectfully
The Warhawks enter the game allowing only 64.3 yards rushing per game and 2.2 yards per carry. Moving the ball through the air has not been easy for opponents either as the Hawks have held opponents to a completion percentage of 39.5% and picked off 4 passes. UW-W has sacked the quarterback 7 times in 4 games.
The good news for the Pioneers is that UW-W has given up a TD every time a team has entered the red zone this year. The bad news is a team has penetrated the red zone against them only one time in three games. The Pioneers have been very efficient in the red zone, scoring TD's on 73% of their trips and scoring on 82%.
While UW-W will likely be the best defense the Pioneers have faced this year, UW-P should be helped by their experience against Wheaton College, a high level defense and UW-LaCrosse, a representative defense.
The Warhawks Offense vs The Pioneers Defense
The Warhawks come into the WIAC opener having gained over 1400 yards and scored 41.7 points per game over 3 games. The balanced UW-W attack has generated 729 yards on the ground and 736 through the air. In limited playing time, All-American running back Levell Coppage has gained 114.7 yards per game, 6.4 yards per carry, and 5 touchdowns. Primary backup Desmin Ward has pitched in 65.3 yards per game on 5.8 yards per carry and 4 touchdowns. The Pioneer defense has been stingy against the run, giving up only 304 yards in four games and 2.3 yards per carry. Their 3-4 defense features a veteran linebacking corps of three seniors and leading tackler Nick Snyder, a jr. The quick defensive line of the Pioneers has a starting group of two sophomores and a junior. The starting defensive line for the Pioneers weighs a relatively light 231pounds per player.
Quarterback Matt Blanchard runs the show for the Warhawks. He has completed 68.3% of his passes for 670 yards and 5 touchdowns. Blanchard is exceptional in taking care of the football. Since becoming the starting QB for UW-W on September 4, 2010, he has thrown 26 TD passes and 1 interception in 288 passes. The Warhawks starting receivers Tyler Huber (9 catches, 201 yds, 2 TD) and Luke Menzel (12 catches, 144 yards) will test a UW-P defense that has allowed a completion percentage of 54.9%. The opportunistic Pioneer defense has intercepted 6 passes and allowed only 2 touchdown passes. UW-P has allowed 194.5 yards per game through the air. Other options for Blanchard include mammoth tight end (6 catches for 72 yards) and fullback Bernie Tamsett (7 catches for 65 yards and a TD).
Special Teams
As far as special teams, the return units are posting nearly identical numbers for each team. The number that sticks out in terms of coverage is Platteville's average kickoff return allowed yardage of only 15.9 yards per return. UW-W punter Kris Rosholt has continued his strong punting, averaging 39 yards per punt, with 6 of his 12 punts having been down inside the 20. UW-P punter Zac Brinkman has averaged 34.8 yards per punt, with 8 of his 24 punts being downed inside the 20. FG kicker Eric Kindler has made 7 of 9 FG attempts, with a long of 45 yards for the Warhawks. UW-P kicker Zach Lichtfield has made 3 of 4 FG attempts, with a long of 45 yards.
No comments:
Post a Comment