UW-W Athletics earn another honor!
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Keys to Salem
Here is a brief look at some keys for each team in both of Saturday's NCAA D3 Semi-Final games. The winners will meet in Salem, VA to play in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the NCAA D3 National Championship.
Wesley at Mount Union
Wesley
Wesley at Mount Union
Wesley
- Keep their emotions under control and play relatively mistake free football.
- Get off to a fast start and make Mount Union come from behind.
- Rotate players regularly on the defensive side to avoid getting worn down.
Mount Union
- Establish the run to take pressure off their quarterbacks.
- Get off to a fast start.
- Disrupt the rhythm of Shane McSweeny
St. Thomas at Wisconsin-Whitewater
St. Thomas
- Avoid giving UW-W early momentum.
- Stay with the run to avoid becoming one dimensional.
- Not allow the magnitude of the moment to affect how they play.
UW-Whitewater
- Prevent big plays in the passing game and special teams.
- Continue their stretch of premier ball protection.
- Take advantage when the big play opportunities present themselves.
Thursday, December 8, 2011
NCAA D3 SEMI-FINAL PREDICTIONS AND ONE LINERS
Mount Union 24
Wesley 7
Mount Union defense steps up and offense wears down Wolverines.
UW-Whitewater 27
St. Thomas 13
St. Thomas more prone to mistakes and less experienced on this stage than rock solid Warhawks.
Wesley 7
Mount Union defense steps up and offense wears down Wolverines.
UW-Whitewater 27
St. Thomas 13
St. Thomas more prone to mistakes and less experienced on this stage than rock solid Warhawks.
Friday, December 2, 2011
NCAA D3 Quarterfinal Predictions and One Liners
Mount Union 24
Wabash 10
Wabash always fights, but Mount always wins in quarterfinals.
Wesley 28
Mary Hardin-Baylor 21
Wesley familiar with Cru offense and McSweeny makes the difference.
St. Thomas 31
St. John Fisher 17
Takes most of the four quarters for Tommies to put the Cardinals away.
UW-Whitewater 38
Salisbury 21
If SU can't slow Coppage, Warhawks may not throw much more than Gulls.
Wabash 10
Wabash always fights, but Mount always wins in quarterfinals.
Wesley 28
Mary Hardin-Baylor 21
Wesley familiar with Cru offense and McSweeny makes the difference.
St. Thomas 31
St. John Fisher 17
Takes most of the four quarters for Tommies to put the Cardinals away.
UW-Whitewater 38
Salisbury 21
If SU can't slow Coppage, Warhawks may not throw much more than Gulls.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
Securing Success
In an October showdown of undefeated WIAC contenders, an emotionally charged UW-Oshkosh Titan football team had outplayed UW-Whitewater to a 17-10 lead at halftime. As the halftime break was winding down, the Titans sprinted back on the field to the roar of an approving crowd. The officials made their way back on the field. The clock ran down to 0:00 and was reset to 15:00. There was only one thing missing. The UW-W football team. They still had not emerged from the locker room. The officials fixed their stare towards the corner of the end zone that was the visiting team entry point for JJ Keller Field. Finally, Coach Lance Leipold led his team to the brink of the field. Rather than continuing to walk on the field, he turned and faced his team. His team formed a line on either side of him and he slapped the hand of each and every member of the team as they took the field. It was obvious. This was a moment of truth; a challenge that would help define the Warhawks 2011 season.
UW-Oshkosh was to receive the ball to open the second half. Getting a stop was imperative. The Titans got a couple of first down on the strength of the legs of QB Nate Wara. They advanced the ball to their own 49. That's as far as they would advance before being forced to punt. After the punt was fair caught at the 23, the Warhawk offense took over determined to drive down the field and tie the game. And they were crisp. In 11 plays, the Hawks moved the ball to a first and ten at the UW-Oshkosh 20. The Titans called time out. UW-W had upped the tempo and the Titans were on their heels. On the next play Matt Blanchard faded back to pass. He saw a receiver breaking free near the goal line and threw. The pass was just a bit late. Oshkosh DB Charlie Stueck intercepted the pass. It was only the third interception of the year and fourth in Blanchard's UW-Whitewater career. It was very uncharacteristic of the Warhawk team to make this kind of a mistake. And it was one they would learn from. Led by a dominant defensive performance who shut out the Titans the rest of the game, UW-W went on to win the game 20-17.
A lot of football has been played since that sunny October afternoon in Oshkosh. In fact, since Blanchard's pass wound up in the hands of Stueck, the Warhawks have had 60 offensive possessions, not including possessions that were kneel down only to end a half or game. That's 60 meaningful possessions and 334 offensive snaps generating 179 points. All without one single turnover. That's over 21 quarters of turnover-free football for the offensive unit of the Warhawks.
Ball security and winning the turnover battle has been a key ingredient in Warhawks' post-season success. It is a well documented football fact that winning the turnover battle is one of the biggest single statistical advantages a team can have in winning a football game. And the offense knows that if they have perfect ball security, the likelihood of UW-W winning that key battle multiplies. Currrently, the Warhawks rank second in the nation in fewest turnovers with 8 all season. Certainly, over the past 5 weeks, no one has been better. As a point of reference, Salisbury University, the Warhawks' quarterfinal playoff opponent Saturday, ranks 73rd with 18.
There was a sense among most who attended the Whitewater-Oshkosh tilt on October 22nd, that the result would have post season implications. And it certainly has. What no one could have known is the supreme stretch of ball security the Warhawks' offense would demonstrate following that 3rd quarter interception. And if the offense can continue to be so protective, it is likely the Warhawks will secure a whole lot more than the just the football when the 2011 season ends.
UW-Oshkosh was to receive the ball to open the second half. Getting a stop was imperative. The Titans got a couple of first down on the strength of the legs of QB Nate Wara. They advanced the ball to their own 49. That's as far as they would advance before being forced to punt. After the punt was fair caught at the 23, the Warhawk offense took over determined to drive down the field and tie the game. And they were crisp. In 11 plays, the Hawks moved the ball to a first and ten at the UW-Oshkosh 20. The Titans called time out. UW-W had upped the tempo and the Titans were on their heels. On the next play Matt Blanchard faded back to pass. He saw a receiver breaking free near the goal line and threw. The pass was just a bit late. Oshkosh DB Charlie Stueck intercepted the pass. It was only the third interception of the year and fourth in Blanchard's UW-Whitewater career. It was very uncharacteristic of the Warhawk team to make this kind of a mistake. And it was one they would learn from. Led by a dominant defensive performance who shut out the Titans the rest of the game, UW-W went on to win the game 20-17.
A lot of football has been played since that sunny October afternoon in Oshkosh. In fact, since Blanchard's pass wound up in the hands of Stueck, the Warhawks have had 60 offensive possessions, not including possessions that were kneel down only to end a half or game. That's 60 meaningful possessions and 334 offensive snaps generating 179 points. All without one single turnover. That's over 21 quarters of turnover-free football for the offensive unit of the Warhawks.
Ball security and winning the turnover battle has been a key ingredient in Warhawks' post-season success. It is a well documented football fact that winning the turnover battle is one of the biggest single statistical advantages a team can have in winning a football game. And the offense knows that if they have perfect ball security, the likelihood of UW-W winning that key battle multiplies. Currrently, the Warhawks rank second in the nation in fewest turnovers with 8 all season. Certainly, over the past 5 weeks, no one has been better. As a point of reference, Salisbury University, the Warhawks' quarterfinal playoff opponent Saturday, ranks 73rd with 18.
There was a sense among most who attended the Whitewater-Oshkosh tilt on October 22nd, that the result would have post season implications. And it certainly has. What no one could have known is the supreme stretch of ball security the Warhawks' offense would demonstrate following that 3rd quarter interception. And if the offense can continue to be so protective, it is likely the Warhawks will secure a whole lot more than the just the football when the 2011 season ends.
Friday, November 25, 2011
NCAA D3 Round 2 Predictions and One Liners
Mount Union 52
Centre 7
Colonels potent offense hasn't seen a defense like this.
Salisbury 35
Kean 24
Cougars can't slow Gulls quite enough to advance.
Linfield 27
Wesley 21
Expect special teams to factor in this one.
Delaware Valley 35
St. John Fisher 23
Aggies can score on Cardinals' defense
UW-Whitewater 41
Franklin 7
Warhawks keep the pedal down.
St. Thomas 28
Monmouth 17
Tanney's remarkable career ends in St. Paul.
North Central 24
Wabash 13
This Cardinals defense is the real deal.
Mary Hardin-Baylor 42
McMurry 24
Crusaders send War Hawks packing to Division II.
Centre 7
Colonels potent offense hasn't seen a defense like this.
Salisbury 35
Kean 24
Cougars can't slow Gulls quite enough to advance.
Linfield 27
Wesley 21
Expect special teams to factor in this one.
Delaware Valley 35
St. John Fisher 23
Aggies can score on Cardinals' defense
UW-Whitewater 41
Franklin 7
Warhawks keep the pedal down.
St. Thomas 28
Monmouth 17
Tanney's remarkable career ends in St. Paul.
North Central 24
Wabash 13
This Cardinals defense is the real deal.
Mary Hardin-Baylor 42
McMurry 24
Crusaders send War Hawks packing to Division II.
Monday, November 21, 2011
Deep Playoff Run: What Matters
There are innumerable ways dissect an upcoming football game. Statistics, current level of play, comparative schedules, health of each team, match-up analysis based on assessment of strengths and weaknesses, athletic ability, size and speed, experience, previous results, and a host of other factors can go into an analysis of potential outcome. What about evaluating UW-Whitewater's chances of making a deep run in the NCAA D3 playoffs? Because of the level the Warhawk program has reached, there are a number of questions that have already been answered. Their talent level, competition level, athleticism, size, experience, coaching, and pedigree are all well established. Therefore, the bottom line to UW-W's chances have to do with how they perform in certain key aspects of the game.
When assessing on-field factors, there are several that stand out as vital in determining a team's ability to make a deep run in the D3 playoffs. Below is an analysis of some performance keys to UW-W's bid for a third straight NCAA D3 National Championship.
1. Taking Care of the Football. Turning the ball over is one of the quickest ways to assure an early exit in the playoffs. Even the lesser teams in the tournament are teams that are used to winning and most are capable of making a team pay for giving the ball away.
UW-W Analysis: The Warhawks have turned the ball over 8 times in 818 touches (479 rushes, 280 passes, and 59 returns). Only St. Scholastica has turned the ball over fewer times (7). UW-W has not given the ball away at all in the last four games and only twice in the last six games. QB Matt Blanchard has thrown 481 passes with 41 TD's and only 4 interceptions in his 21 career starts. UW-Whitewater simply refuses to beat themselves, which has gone a long way toward extending the Warhawks' nation leading 41 game winning streak.
2. Balanced Offense. A team capable of both running and passing is far more difficult to defend and prepare for than a team that relies on a one dimensional attack. When things don't go as planned, having both the run and the pass available as viable weapons is invaluable to a team in making necessary in-game adjustments.
UW-W Analysis: The presence of All-American running back Levell Coppage brings a unique weapon that other teams simply don't possess. Any defensive coordinator game planning for UW-W is almost forced to try to slow down Coppage first. If he doesn't, the Warhawks will almost certainly pound his defense all afternoon and have them worn down by the end of the third quarter. Although, Coppage has been contained on occasion, the overcommitment necessary to accomplish that containment has left the team vulnerable to the pass. The key to slowing down the UW-W offense is to slow down Coppage while playing UW-W straight up. A team with a superior defensive line who can compete with Whitewater on the line of scrimmage has the best chance of derailing the Warhawks offense. Overall, the Warhawks offensive line has not been as dominant this year as last year. While the UW-W offensive line is very good and appears to be improving in the past few games, their ability to win the battle against teams like St. Thomas and Mount Union will likely go a long way in determining the ability of UW-W to threepeat.
3. Creating turnovers: Taking the ball away is a huge component of winning playoff football. Takeaways have the immediate effect of changing momentum, confidence levels, and usually field position. Over the course of a game, the extra possessions gained by a team taking the ball away will usually result in tipping the scales towards victory.
UW-W Analysis: The Warhawks 4 takeaways against Albion was a welcome playoff start in this important category. That type of defensive intensity and mentality will be crucial to a deep playoff run for the Warhawks. While UW-W has a respectable 25 takeaways, the following potential playoff opponents have more:
Kean (34), Mount Union (33), Salisbury (32), Delaware Valley (30), Mary Hardin-Baylor (29), McMurry (29), North Central (29), Wabash (28), and Monmouth (27). With an offense not likely to give the ball away, any takeaways the UW-W defense can get have the potential to be game-changers.
4. Forcing Teams to become one dimensional. When an aspect of a team's offensive arsenal is nullified, they begin to become more predictable and easier to defend. It also causes offensive teams to become less patient and more prone to mistakes.
UW-W Analysis: The focus of the UW-W defense is usually to shut down the opponents running game. The Warhawks defense has yielded 79.9 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry. In 2010, the UW-W defense gave up 46.6 yards per game and 1.7 yards per carry. Part of the difference was one particular half of one game that stands out as an anomaly in 2010. UW-Oshkosh gained 214 yards on 42 carries on October 22, 2011. After repeatedly allowing UW-O to hurt them on the edge in the first half, UW-W adjusted and held the Titans to 2.2 ypc and 47 net rushing yards in pitching a second half shutout. This type of anomaly cannot be repeated in the playoffs. One match-up to keep and eye on will be a potential match-up with Salisbury in the quarter-finals. Salisbury runs the most prolific option offense in the country and averages 363.27 yards rushing per game.
5. Limit the opponents big plays. UW-W employs a fundamentally sound, gap disciplined approach to defense. This defense is built on forcing an opponent to drive the length of the field and winning enough battles to stop that from happening. Needless to say, big plays throw a severe wrench into this philosophy.
UW-W analysis: UW-W has allowed more long pass plays than they would have liked this year. There seems to be a variety of reasons for the different breakdowns. However, Noah Timm has emerged as a huge playmaker in the defensive backfield. UW-W will not be afraid to use Timm to shadow an opponents' top receiver when necessary. UW-W will also focus on creating pressure on the opposing quarterback with well timed defensive line stunts and blitzes.
6. Playmakers- As the playoffs progress, there will be more and more key moments in games in which teams' best players will be called upon to make a play, whether on offense, defense, or special teams. The teams with the most talented and clutch playmakers will find themselves with a strong advantage.
UW-W Analysis: UW-W finds itself in a great position in this category. They have multiple players in every phase of the game capable of making a big play during crucial stretches of the game. Although more could be mentioned, here are 3 playmakers on each UW-W unit.
Offense
Matt Blanchard
Levell Coppage
Tyler Huber
Defense
Greg Arnold
Casey Casper
Noah Timm
Special Teams
Levell Coppage
Jaren Borland
Eric Kindler
It is this category as much as any that has separated the Warhawks from most of the field over the last six years and this category that will likely determine just how deep the playoff run will go for the 2011 Warhawks.
When assessing on-field factors, there are several that stand out as vital in determining a team's ability to make a deep run in the D3 playoffs. Below is an analysis of some performance keys to UW-W's bid for a third straight NCAA D3 National Championship.
1. Taking Care of the Football. Turning the ball over is one of the quickest ways to assure an early exit in the playoffs. Even the lesser teams in the tournament are teams that are used to winning and most are capable of making a team pay for giving the ball away.
UW-W Analysis: The Warhawks have turned the ball over 8 times in 818 touches (479 rushes, 280 passes, and 59 returns). Only St. Scholastica has turned the ball over fewer times (7). UW-W has not given the ball away at all in the last four games and only twice in the last six games. QB Matt Blanchard has thrown 481 passes with 41 TD's and only 4 interceptions in his 21 career starts. UW-Whitewater simply refuses to beat themselves, which has gone a long way toward extending the Warhawks' nation leading 41 game winning streak.
2. Balanced Offense. A team capable of both running and passing is far more difficult to defend and prepare for than a team that relies on a one dimensional attack. When things don't go as planned, having both the run and the pass available as viable weapons is invaluable to a team in making necessary in-game adjustments.
UW-W Analysis: The presence of All-American running back Levell Coppage brings a unique weapon that other teams simply don't possess. Any defensive coordinator game planning for UW-W is almost forced to try to slow down Coppage first. If he doesn't, the Warhawks will almost certainly pound his defense all afternoon and have them worn down by the end of the third quarter. Although, Coppage has been contained on occasion, the overcommitment necessary to accomplish that containment has left the team vulnerable to the pass. The key to slowing down the UW-W offense is to slow down Coppage while playing UW-W straight up. A team with a superior defensive line who can compete with Whitewater on the line of scrimmage has the best chance of derailing the Warhawks offense. Overall, the Warhawks offensive line has not been as dominant this year as last year. While the UW-W offensive line is very good and appears to be improving in the past few games, their ability to win the battle against teams like St. Thomas and Mount Union will likely go a long way in determining the ability of UW-W to threepeat.
3. Creating turnovers: Taking the ball away is a huge component of winning playoff football. Takeaways have the immediate effect of changing momentum, confidence levels, and usually field position. Over the course of a game, the extra possessions gained by a team taking the ball away will usually result in tipping the scales towards victory.
UW-W Analysis: The Warhawks 4 takeaways against Albion was a welcome playoff start in this important category. That type of defensive intensity and mentality will be crucial to a deep playoff run for the Warhawks. While UW-W has a respectable 25 takeaways, the following potential playoff opponents have more:
Kean (34), Mount Union (33), Salisbury (32), Delaware Valley (30), Mary Hardin-Baylor (29), McMurry (29), North Central (29), Wabash (28), and Monmouth (27). With an offense not likely to give the ball away, any takeaways the UW-W defense can get have the potential to be game-changers.
4. Forcing Teams to become one dimensional. When an aspect of a team's offensive arsenal is nullified, they begin to become more predictable and easier to defend. It also causes offensive teams to become less patient and more prone to mistakes.
UW-W Analysis: The focus of the UW-W defense is usually to shut down the opponents running game. The Warhawks defense has yielded 79.9 yards per game and 2.6 yards per carry. In 2010, the UW-W defense gave up 46.6 yards per game and 1.7 yards per carry. Part of the difference was one particular half of one game that stands out as an anomaly in 2010. UW-Oshkosh gained 214 yards on 42 carries on October 22, 2011. After repeatedly allowing UW-O to hurt them on the edge in the first half, UW-W adjusted and held the Titans to 2.2 ypc and 47 net rushing yards in pitching a second half shutout. This type of anomaly cannot be repeated in the playoffs. One match-up to keep and eye on will be a potential match-up with Salisbury in the quarter-finals. Salisbury runs the most prolific option offense in the country and averages 363.27 yards rushing per game.
5. Limit the opponents big plays. UW-W employs a fundamentally sound, gap disciplined approach to defense. This defense is built on forcing an opponent to drive the length of the field and winning enough battles to stop that from happening. Needless to say, big plays throw a severe wrench into this philosophy.
UW-W analysis: UW-W has allowed more long pass plays than they would have liked this year. There seems to be a variety of reasons for the different breakdowns. However, Noah Timm has emerged as a huge playmaker in the defensive backfield. UW-W will not be afraid to use Timm to shadow an opponents' top receiver when necessary. UW-W will also focus on creating pressure on the opposing quarterback with well timed defensive line stunts and blitzes.
6. Playmakers- As the playoffs progress, there will be more and more key moments in games in which teams' best players will be called upon to make a play, whether on offense, defense, or special teams. The teams with the most talented and clutch playmakers will find themselves with a strong advantage.
UW-W Analysis: UW-W finds itself in a great position in this category. They have multiple players in every phase of the game capable of making a big play during crucial stretches of the game. Although more could be mentioned, here are 3 playmakers on each UW-W unit.
Offense
Matt Blanchard
Levell Coppage
Tyler Huber
Defense
Greg Arnold
Casey Casper
Noah Timm
Special Teams
Levell Coppage
Jaren Borland
Eric Kindler
It is this category as much as any that has separated the Warhawks from most of the field over the last six years and this category that will likely determine just how deep the playoff run will go for the 2011 Warhawks.
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