Rapid Response


Much has been written and will continue to be written about the 2010 UW-Whitewater football team.  A veteran offensive line that dominates the line of scrimmage.  A ball hawking defensive unit that continually takes over games in the fourth quarter.  The best running back in the country.  A starting QB who compiled a stunning 21/1 TD to interception ratio before being injured in the last regular season game.  A backup QB who never started a game and then went 4-0 against two Top 4 Gagliardi Trophy candidates, and defenses ranked first and third in the nation in total defense. 


Momentum plays a huge role in the outcome of a football game.  UW-W flat out refuses to give it's opponent much sustained momentum.   One of the most impressive attributes about the 2010 Warhawks is their collective ability to respond to an opponent's score.  Whitewater has allowed 21 TD's and 3 Field goals this year.  To look at what happened after each of those scores, tells a story about the character and ability of this team.  Here is a statistical breakdown of how UW-W responded to giving up a score:


Two scores were at the end of 70-7 and 49-17 blowouts.  


Of the 22 remaining scores allowed, UW-W was the next team to score 21 times! Only in the first half "Trine Track Meet" did UW-W give up two consecutive scores. And what happened after that second consecutive Trine score? UW-W took just 1:47 to respond on a four yard Levell Coppage TD run.  


Fourteen of Whitewater's 21 responding scores came less than four minutes after giving up points.  Thirteen of the 21 responding scores came in less than three minutes of the opponent's score. Usually, a scoring play either seizes or neutralizes the momentum of a football game.  Two consecutive scores almost always seizes and sustains that momentum.  Often the character of a football team can be revealed by how the team responds to a challenge.  In 21 of 22 occasions, UW-W has responded to an opponent's score, with one of it's own.  


The Warhawks have not had the type of team that consistently wins games in blowout fashion like perennial Stagg Bowl opponent Mount Union.  But in playing through some contested battles, UW-W has developed character that will serve them well against the Purple Raiders.  And while both teams have much that can be written about, the Stagg Bowl will likely become a battle of wills between two very talented teams.  Don't be surprised to see the Hawks respond.  They have been doing it all year long.  
  

Semi-Final Review


The UW-Whitewater Warhawks defeated Wesley College, the NCAA's #1 seed, at Dover, Delaware on Saturday, December 11th.  The Warhawks advance to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl against the University of Mount Union on Saturday, December 18th, at 2:30 PM Central Time.  The game will be televised on ESPNU.  


Here is a review of the key factors in Whitewater's Semi-Final win over Wesley:


Defensive Key: Pressure
The Warhawks harassed Wolverine QB Justin Sottilare into five interceptions that killed the Wolverines hopes for a national championship.  The Hawks also got to Sottilare for 4 sacks.  Sottilare finished the day completing 24 of 44 passes. Throughout the afternoon, Sottilare was forced to throw the ball earlier than he wanted, often leading to an incompletion or an interception.  In addition, the Warhawks flew to the ball and defeated blocks at the line of scrimmage to hold Wesley to (-7) yards rushing.  The dominance at the line of scrimmage was decisive, especially for a national semi-final matchup.  The front seven of UW-W established the tempo all day long, leaving Wesley with unmanageable 3rd downs and little opportunity to develop a rhythm.  Things would have been even worse for the Wolverines, but UW-W didn't recover any of their four fumbles. 


Offensive Key: Balance
The Warhawks, directed by sophomore QB Lee Brekke, generated enough from the passing game to keep the Wolverines honest.  Although Brekke threw only 19 passes, he completed 13 of them, with 9 achieving first downs.  Brekke also hit Adam Brandes for a 35 yard 2nd quarter touchdown.  Whitewater once again deployed a power running game which was effective and served to wear down it's opponent.  The Warhawks pounded the ball 41 times for 172 yards and 2 TD's. Levell Coppage led the way with 146 yards and both TD's.  The offensive line continues to be dominant.  They gave Brekke adequate time to throw all day and they kept pounding Wesley's defensive front all afternoon long to keep the running game strong.  


Other Semi-Finals Notes:
The Warhawks held Wesley to 249 yards of total offense, more than 200 yards under their season average.


Kris Rosholt's hanging punts led to (-3) punt return yards.  Rosholt once again placed one inside the 10.


Eric Kindler nailed both of his FG attempts. It's getting harder and harder to remember his last miss.


While the pressure was great, it does appear the UW-W secondary is making good progress.


Booker Stanley ran hard in his nine attempts in relief of Coppage.  


Once again, the UW-W second half adjustments were impeccable. 


NOTE:  Check back Wednesday, when I discuss a little talked about attribute of the 2010 Hawks

Stagg Bowl Bound Again!


The UW-Whitewater Warhawks have earned their sixth consecutive trip to the D3 National Championship Game in Salem, VA with a 27-7 victory over the Wesley College Wolverines.  


The Stagg Bowl will be televised on ESPNU at 2:30 PM Central Time. 

This week at UWWfootball.com, we will have:


1. A perspective of the Whitewater-Wesley Semi-finals.
2. A look at "How Each Team Can Win" 
3. A Stagg Bowl projection and writeup. 


Have a great week.


Go Warhawks!

GAMEDAY!

How about a little "Knute" to get us in the mood for today's semi-final game? The following is from Pre-game speeches.com:

It was halftime of the 1928 Army vs. Notre Dame Game that legendary head coach Knute Rockne gave his "win one for the Gipper" speech to his beleaguered players. Notre Dame was having one of its worst season's on record and Rockne was trying to salvage what he could of the season. He told his players about the tragic death of George Gipp, a great Notre Dame player. Many historians doubt that Rockne's version of Gipp's last words was true. None the less, Notre Dame did win the game against Army that memorable day.

This speech became ingrained in popular culture after its recreation in the 1940 movie, Knute Rockne- All American. The phrase "Win one for the Gipper" became a permanent fixture in American society. Here is the transcript of the dialogue from the movie...

Knute Rockne: 

Well, boys ... I haven't a thing to say.
Played a great game...all of you. Great game.
(He tries to smile.)
I guess we just can't expect to win ‘em all.
(Rockne pauses and says quietly.)
I'm going to tell you something I've kept to myself for years --
None of you ever knew George Gipp.
It was long before your time.
But you know what a tradition he is at Notre Dame...
(There is gentle, faraway look in his eyes as he recalls the boy's words.)
And the last thing he said to me -- "Rock," he said -
"sometime, when the team is up against it -- and the
breaks are beating the boys -- tell them to go out there
with all they got and win just one for the Gipper...
(Knute's eyes become misty and his voice is unsteady as he finishes.)
I don't know where I'll be then, Rock", he said - "but
I'll know about it - and I'll be happy."

(There is a hushed stillness as Rockne and the crowd of boys look at each other. In the midst of this tense silence,
Rockne quietly says "Alright," to the men beside him, and his chair is wheeled slowly out of the dressing room.)

A Player:
Well, what are we waiting for?

With a single roar, the players throw off their blankets and rush through the doorway. An out-manned Notre Dame went on to beat a powerful Army team 12-6.

Semi-Final Projections


Mount Union 31
Bethel   6                 (USee Special)
Not enough offense for Bethel to hang with Mount.


UW-Whitewater 24
Wesley College   14
UW-W grinds out another fourth quarter win.

Meet: The Wesley Wolverines


The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks flew to Dover, DE Thursday evening for the National Championship Semi-Final game at 11:00 AM Central time on Saturday against the 13-0 Wesley Wolverines.  The Wolverines are the number one overall seed in the tournament. UW-Whitewater has been ranked number one in the nation by D3football.com all season long.  Here is a look at the Wolverines:


Coach
Head Coach Mike Drass is serving in his 18th year as Head Coach and 20th year overall for Wesley College.  His career record is 156-44-1.  He has won 5 of the past 6 Atlantic Central Football Conference Coach of the Year awards.  Under his leadership, Wesley College has advanced to the National Semi-Final round 3 times in the past 5 years.  


Offense
Up front the Wolverines are led by Anthony West, a 6'2" 307 pound Senior and 6'1" 266 pound sophomore, Tim Putman.  West and Putman both collected first team all-ACFC honors this year.  Joining them up front are second team selections James Buettner, a 6'6" 282 pound junior and sophomore Brian Cranmer, who is listed at 6'2" and 273 pounds.  Rounding out the starting offensive line is Ben McDonald, a 6'4" 250 pound Junior.  This unit has paved the way for the nation's 42nd ranked rushing offense and yielded only 11 sacks all season.  


Junior QB Justin Sottilare took over the reigns of the Wolverine offense just three plays into the season, when Shane McSweeny went down with a season-ending knee injury.  Sottilare has fit into the role just fine, throwing for 3128 yards and 37 TD's.  Sottilare was named the Atlantic Central Football Conference Co-Player of the Year.  He is ranked 4th in the nation in passing efficiency.  


Sophomore tailback Brandon Wright carries the load on the ground for Wesley.  Wright has gained 1072 yards and scored 11 rushing touchdowns. Wright averages 5.8 yards per carry.  Wright is a physical runner, who is listed at 202 pounds with 4.5 speed in the 40 yard dash.   Askia Jahad (5.8 ypc) is the backup. Chris Cummings, the backup QB, can also be expected to get some carries.  Overall, Wesley averages 193.8 yards per game and 5.0 yards per carry.  


Ellis Krout, a 6'4", 200 pound senior from Dallas, TX is the top receiving threat for the Wolverines.  Krout has caught 58 balls for 1041 yards (17.9 ypc) and 18 TD's.  He provides Sottilare with a potent red zone target and has the speed to get deep as well.  Leonard Stevensen is the number 2 receiver with 40 catches (16.6 ypc) for 664 yards and 8 TD's.
   


Defense
Defensive End Chris Mayes, a 6'3" 253 pound junior, provides rare speed and explosion to the Wolverine defense.  Mayes has 17 sacks and 32 tackles for loss. Mayes was the ACFC 2010 Defensive Player of the Year and the 2009 D3football.com South Region Defensive Player of the Year.  Also anchoring the defensive front are  first team all-ACFC honorees  Paul Gilstrop, a 5'10" 272 pound junior defensive tackle and Jeffrey Dorsey, a 6'2" 252 pound senior defensive end. 


Mike Asiedu, a 6'3" 221 pound junior and Jeff Morgan, a 6'2" 222 pound junior lead the Wesley linebacking unit.   Asiedu and Morgan are the top two Wesley tacklers and each were named to the all-ACFC first team defensive unit.  


Senior Aaron Benson and Marcus Wilson lead the defensive backs.  Each were also first team all conference selections.  Wilson leads the Wolverines with 7 interceptions.  


Wesley currently leads the nation in total defense and is ranked 5th Nationally in scoring defense.  The Wolverines have allowed opponents 192.83 yards per game and 11.22 points per game.


Special Teams
Placekicker Dan Tryon has made 13-20 field goals attempts, with a long of 46 yards.  Punter John Smicklo has averaged 37.3 yards per punt with 10 punts placed inside the 20 and no touchbacks.  In the return game, the Wolverines have averaged 17.6 yards on kickoff returns and allowed an average of 18.1 yards per return.  In the punting game, Wesley is averaging 9.7 yards per return and allowing an average of 10.4 yards.  

Patience, Poise, and Power


Most UW-W fans would agree that the 2010 edition of the Warhawks football team has been patient.  In fact, far more patient than most fans.  During the regular season, this has not been much of an issue.  When a team outscores their opponents by an average margin of 34 points per game, they don't exactly test the patience of their fan base.  In fact, the atmosphere at Perkins Stadium has often been pretty laid back, especially early in the game. It was interesting to observe the Warhawks gain 5 yards on a rushing play and hear a louder cheer from the opposing fans than the Warhawk fans.  Spoiled? Probably.  Confident? Most certainly.


However, as we moved to the third week of November, the Road to Salem began.  The Warhawks hosted 24th ranked Franklin College.  Over the previous four years, UW-W had beaten their first round opponents by an average of over 38 points per game.  On a beautiful afternoon, most Warhawk fans expected a similar result.  However, Franklin hung around the entire first half as UW-W led only 21-14 at halftime. While most Warhawk backers probably weren't concerned about losing, they were most definitely wondering why the game was so close.  However, UW-W took just over 3 minutes of the third quarter to assume control of the game as they scored ten quick points to push their lead to 17 points.  The Hawks then cruised to a 31 point victory.


In the second round, UW-W hosted their second straight Gagliardi finalist QB as Eric Watt and Trine University came to town.  The first half resembled a track meet as teams traded scores with UW-W taking a harrowing 31-24 lead into the half.  Trine scored the only points in the third quarter, taking advantage of a rare UW-W turnover and the Warhawk fans looked on nervously as their team went into the fourth quarter tied 31-31.  However, the fourth quarter was all Whitewater, as UW-W controlled the ball for all but 2:47 of the fourth quarter. Levell Coppage scored on a pair of 9 yard scoring runs as UW-W advanced to the third round.


In the Quarter Finals, UW-W took to the road against the #1 Regional seed, North Central College. In a hard fought defensive game, UW-W trailed 10-7 after 3 quarters.  Once again Warhawk fans saw their patience tested.  But once again, UW-W dominated the fourth quarter as they outscored the Cardinals 13-0 to secure a 20-10 victory and advance to the national semi-finals for the sixth consecutive year.


In analyzing the playoff personality of this years' Warhawks, three traits have emerged.  


Patience
With the injury to starting QB Matt Blanchard, Lee Brekke has made his first three collegiate starts in these playoffs.  Although UW-W hasn't curtailed their game plan entirely, there has been a subtle change to the UW-W offense. While the Hawks still strive for balance, they have been running plays that have exposed them to less risk than the relative wide open offense led by Blanchard.  They have preferred a patient approach to the quick strike attack, at least since the first half of the Trine game.  It appears that UW-W is confident that as long as they play their game and don't make mistakes, they will win the battle over 60 minutes.


Poise
As hard as they may be on the fans, the players seem to be thriving on the close games.  The energy level, the body language, the animation, the execution, and the intensity shown by this team as the 2nd half wears on is impressive on every level.  Performance during crunch time has defined many athletes and many teams.  This UW-W team is impervious to pressure.  In fact, they appear to thrive on it.  This trend over the last three weeks will serve them very, very well over the next two.  


Power
Sixty minutes of football is a long time. Especially against UW-W.  For sixty minutes, UW-W just keeps banging.  Physical. Every series. Every play. Every player. For sixty minutes.  Three consecutive Top 25 teams have succumbed to the sixty minute brand of football played by UW-W.  People reading box scores won't be impressed.  However, people watching the games realize that UW-W has SO MUCH more left in the tank than their opponents for the entire fourth quarter.  Running plays that gained 1 or 2 yards in the first half, begin to open for 4, 5, or 6 yards.  Offensive lines who held up reasonably well in the first half, begin to be overwhelmed as the 2nd half wears on.  As a result, quarterbacks who had time to throw in the first half become rushed into mistakes by the fourth quarter.  And running backs and receivers who have been hit hard the whole game, begin to drop passes and lose possession of the ball in the late stages.  Fatigue is very hard to play through. Especially against UW-W, who tends to go in for the kill when the opponent has softened.  


The Warhawks personality and style may not show dominance in the box score.  And it may test the patience of the fans.  But at the end of the day, it makes for a football team that is very hard to beat.  And one statistic does shine brightly.  UW-W has outscored their three Top 25 playoff opponents 48-0 in the fourth quarter.  As a result the Warhawks find themselves in the National Semi-Finals.  Again.