1. How well will the pre-season slate prepare the Warhawks for the rest of the season? The simple answer is, better than last year. For the second consecutive year, the Hawks opened against a team playing their first game for a new head coach. However, it is obvious UW-LaCrosse was far more prepared for the challenge than Adrian College was a year ago. Although neither opponent was able to generate much offensively, Adrian offered no semblance of an offensive threat at all. Their starting tailback gained only 1.5 ypc in 12 carries against the Warhawks, while Eagle back Lee Lauters gained 89 yards and averaged 5.9 yards per carry, albeit much of the damage was done late in the game. The line play of the WIAC school was much stronger than Adrian and undoubtedly gave the young Warhawk fronts good experience against a representative group. There is almost no comparison in the second game opponents. Franklin, ranked #21 by d3football.com presented a legitimate passing game and threw the ball 36 times. The Grizzlies presented far greater experience for the UW-W defense and pass defense in particular than 2010 opponent Dakota State, which offered no resistance offensively or defensively.
While the third opponent, Campbellsville University, is the same as last year, they are a team that expects to be improved. Campbellsville was the only team to test the UW-W secondary at all last pre-season and they are expected to again on Saturday, as they bring with them All-American candidate Stan Warrenhuffman.
All in all, the experience of playing another WIAC school, and the far stronger tests for the UW-W pass defense should serve the Warhawks well as they head into their conference opener in two weeks against UW-Platteville.
2. How good will the offensive line be this year after being hit hard by graduation? Again, nothing conclusive can be gained after two games. The story will be written over he course of the season. However, there are certainly encouraging signs. In two games, the Warhawks have gained 484 yards in 99 carries, for a 4.8 yards per carry average. A year ago, with a veteran offensive line returning, UW-W rushed for 646 yards in 90 carries after 2 games. However, it's hard to overstate the difference in competition levels. It should be noted also, that UW-W is developing the running backs behind All-American Levell Coppage. Coppage only has 39% of the total Warhawk carries so far. If the line continues to come together and improve each week, there's nothing to suggest they won't be a very good line by the end of the season.
3. How will the pass defense come together. Once again, all signs are positive through two games. In 57 drop backs, the Warhawks have four sacks and allowed only a 47.2 completion percentage. In addition, the Warhawks have three interceptions and have allowed only 99 yards per game passing. The Warhawks have allowed a paltry 3.7 yards per pass.
4. Do the Warhawks have what it takes to make it to Salem a seventh consecutive time? Stay tuned.
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