UWW Football

It’s WIAC Time!

It’s WIAC time.  The UW-Whitewater Warhawks completed a 3-0 pre-conference schedule with a 65-0 pasting of NAIA Waldorf College at Perkins Stadium.  In the words of Coach Lance Leipold, things will “change drastically” on Saturday when the Warhawks travel to UW-La Crosse to face the Eagles in the conference opener. While the Eagles come into Saturday with an 0-3 record, that record isn’t an indicator of the quality of UW-L according to Leipold. “More than a little deceiving”, he said in reference to the Eagles record. “They played one of the stronger non-conference schedules in the league. They played some good football teams. We have emphasized to our players and they have seen on film this is the best team we will have played to date.”

       Heading into WIAC play, the Warhawks have been able to use their pre-conference season to give young players experience and grow in consistency and continuity.  Following is a brief look at each position group and how they are shaping up heading into conference play.

QUARTERBACK

       Coming into the 2013 season, starter Matt Behrendt had started only 3 games. In 3 games this season, Behrendt has completed 42 of 75 passes for 495 yards and 6 TD’s. Perhaps most impressively, he has yet to throw an interception.  “Matt continues to improve each and every day and he embraces the challenge of leading this football team.” Leipold also noted that it was good to get freshman back-up Chris Nelson some snaps as well, calling him “a good football player.”

RUNNING BACK

       Five different running backs have logged significant playing time over the Hawks first three games. Injuries to the top two returning running backs, sophomore Nick Patterson and junior Ryan Givens, have opened the door for the coaches to look at the depth of the running back spot.  Sophomore Dennis Moore has rushed for 4.4 yards per carry, gaining 122 yards and scoring two touchdowns. Jordan Ratliff has rushed for 6.0 yards per carry and gaining 132 yards and 1 touchdown. Sophomore Byron Stanford has gained 1.5 yards per carry, netting 30 yards in his 20 rushing attempts.

       Patterson and Givens are healthy heading into the conference season and both averaged over 5 yards per carry in limited action over the first three games.

WIDE RECEIVER

       Junior Jake Kumerow and Senior Tyler Huber lead a deep and talented UW-W receiving corps.  The 6’5” Kumerow has caught 11 passes for 194 yards (17.6 ypc) and three touchdowns.  Leipold cited Kumerow as “maybe the most improved player both on and off the field from last year.” The athletic Huber, returning after being granted a medical redshirt for 2012 has caught 7 passes for 122 yards (17.4 ypc) and two touchdowns. Junior Justin Howard has added 9 catches for 83 yards and a touchdown. Kumerow, Huber, and Howard have all caught touchdown passes of over 30 yards. Steve Morris , Zach Howard, and Joe Worth round out the deep receiving corps.  One of two Morris’s catches went for 51 yards.

OFFENSIVE LINE

       The Warhawks enter WIAC play with 4 freshman, 5 sophomores, and a junior on the two-deep roster on the offensive line.  Freshmen Spencer Shier (C), and Tony Koepnick (RT) both started the final pre-conference game against Waldorf College. Shier stepped in for injured sophomore Conner Peters. Rounding out the starting unit are sophomores Johnny Wiederholt (LT) and Eli Sloneker (LG) and junior Lucas Skibba (RG). Rounding out the two deep roster to start the season are sophomores Tyler Janczak (RG) and Pat Suffield (RT) and freshmen Pat Costello (LT) and Austin Jones (LG).

       As a group, the offensive line continues to gain valuable experience with each game. Without a doubt, the biggest challenge lies ahead as they prepare to face the defensive fronts of their WIAC opponents. When asked about players that gave him increased confidence in the depth of the 2013 Warhawks, Coach Leipold cited the work of the freshmen, Shier and Koepnick. “I’m not surprised they are playing well and contributing because I knew they were good football players. I am maybe a little surprised at how quickly they were able to contribute on the field.”  Undoubtedly one of the keys to the 2013 season will be the continued development of this young, but talented group on the offensive line.

TIGHT END

       UW-W Undoubtedly features two of the biggest tight ends in the WIAC conference. Derric Junakin, a 6’3” 285 pound junior and Chris Davis, a 6’6” 265 pound senior man the position for the Hawks. The tight ends are crucial for setting the edge in the running game and being a factor in the red zone in the passing game. With the weapons UW-W possesses at wide receiver, the tight ends won’t get a huge number of targets each game, but will be counted on in key situations to move the chains and sustain drives as the season wears on.

DEFENSIVE LINE

       As expected, the defensive performance has been one of the strengths of the Warhawks’ season so far in 2013.  As always, the defense is anchored by the defensive front.  The defensive line is anchored by seniors DE Lou Minett and DT Marshall Rutherford.  Defensive Line Coach Kevin Bullis cited the leadership of the two seniors since spring practice as key to development of the defensive line.  Another emerging leader on the defensive front is junior Mykael Bratchett a junior from Hope School in Milwaukee. “The three of them are providing strong leadership”, according to Bullis.

       Bullis considers one of the strengths of the unit to be the ability of Minett to create pressure from the inside tackle position when Bullis wants their four best pass rushers on the field. Moving Minett inside allows him to athletically take advantage of some guards and creates room on the edge for speed rusher Kevon Clunis.  And while UW-W has only 3 sacks on the season, pressure and physical play from the defensive front has had a lot to do with the defense creating 13 turnovers over the first three games. Rounding out the 2 deep are starting defensive tackle Zach Franz, a sophomore from DeForest, sophomore back up defensive end Jon Groves, and back up freshmen defensive tackles Brandon Tamsett and John Flood. Leipold cited the performance of both Tamsett and Flood as impressive and giving him confidence in the depth of the unit.  The coaches had high expectations of the rest of the group coming into camp and they have certainly more than met those expectations three games into the season.

LINEBACKERS

       To know one’s surprise, the UW-W linebacking unit is one of the strengths of the team. When a team that usually plays three linebackers have four earn all-conference recognition, that is a sign of a pretty dominant group. When all four return the following year, the expectations can blow through the roof. The UW-W defense has allowed only 7 points and 188.7 yards per game over the first three games. Certainly the linebacking unit has had a lot to do with that. Veteran WIAC coach John Meich, who coached for 27 years at UW-Stevens Point (24 seasons as Head Coach), calls this year’s unit “potentially one of the best units” he has seen in his years in the WIAC.  The four senior linebackers who earned all WIAC recognition a year ago include Ryan Cortez, Cole Klotz, Kyle Wismer, and Josh Williams.  As could be expected, they are currently the four leading tacklers for the UW-W defense. Providing the depth in the two deep are senior Joe Paulus, and Ricky Valadez. 

       Anyone who has seen UW-W play within the last year recognizes this unit as one who has tremendous, speed, physicality, and a “fly to the ball” mentality. As the year presses forward, this group will be expected to make game changing plays, but not at the expense of being reckless about their assignments. As this group continues to work on playing sound fundamental football within the structure of the defense and let their natural ability take over, those momentum swinging plays will continue to come.

DEFENSIVE BACKS

       One of the developments of the first three games for UW-W has been the defensive backs’ penchant for making huge plays. Safety Andrew Keister has scored two touchdowns on an 88 yard interception return and on a 30 yard fumble recovery return.  Safety Zach Nellis also scored on a 37 yard fumble recovery return.  In addition, starting cornerback Brady Grayvold has 3 interceptions and the other starting corner, Marcus McLin, has another. Four sophomores back up in the defensive backfield and have gained valuable experience as well.  Shawn Shillcox, Dylan Morang, Zach Mutton, and Ryan Winske round out the two deep entering WIAC play.  Unfortunately, sophomore defensive back Chis Treptow has been lost due to an injury.  The continued development of this unit will be critical as the season progresses for UW-W. Several WIAC teams are expected to be “pass heavy” this year and because most teams find it difficult to run against UW-W, many opponents put the ball in the air a lot against the Hawks.  As the unit continues to mature and gain even further confidence, they have the potential to continue to make big plays. Without a doubt, this group would love to develop a “throw it at your own risk” reputation. If the first three games are any indication, that may be on its way to happening.

Special Teams

       Early indications are that special teams will be one of the absolute strengths of the 2013 Warhawks.  Led by senior kicker/punter Eric Kindler, the UW-W special teams units aspire to go beyond “adequate” and soar into the “difference maker” category. Kindler has made all six of his field goal attempts, including a long of 50 yards.  And while his punting average of 32.6 yards seems pedestrian, he has placed 9 of 19 kicks inside the 20 and forced 6 fair catches. In addition, he has hit two over 50 yards. 

       The coverage units have been exceptional over the first three games, allowing only 14.5 yards on kickoff returns and an astounding negative 1.5 yards on punt returns. The coverage team has delivered some devastating hits along the way.

       Leading the return game is junior Justin Howard. Howard is extremely aggressive in catching the ball and has dynamic return ability.  He is averaging 8.4 yards on punt returns with a long of 27 yards. He is averaging 24.3 yards on kickoff returns with a long of 32 yards.  Although, he has not broken a long return yet, most who watch him would agree it’s just a matter of time. In addtion to Howard, Zach Howard is an able punt returner. Zach Howard has returned two punts, including one for 35 yards.  Marcus McLin also contributes on kickoff returns. His game opening 61 yard return at Buffalo State set the tone for UW-W’s dominant performance in Buffalo.  All four returners have big play capabilities.

       Freshman kicker Lake Bachar appears poised to handle the kickoff duties for the Warhawks. Coach Leipold felt like it is a positive to relieve Kindler of that aspect of kicking given his other workload. But he gave the credit to Bachar. “We would’t have been able to go in that direction if Lake hadn’t proven he’s ready.”

OVERALL

       Given the schedule and level of competition, the Warhawks appear to have accomplished all that could have been expected from their three game pre-conference schedule. As Coach Leipold commented, “There’s much work still to be done and everything changes drastically this week” referring to the beginning of the WIAC schedule in LaCrosse.

       Time will tell as to how far the 2013 Warhawks can rise. There appears to be little doubt, they have set their sights high. There also is little doubt that they will continue to emphasize getting better one day at a time.  It’s impossible to answer every question about a football team during the first three weeks of their schedule.  But more questions are about to be answered. After all, it’s WIAC time!