Quote from: WIACer on January 25, 2026, 12:18:42 PMWatching UWO in previous games I was surprised at how many illegal screens they were allowed to do without a call. I noticed on their ball screens they all have a 2 hand push off defender. Enough to knock off balance. Maybe it caught up to them?? Missing 3's hurts too.

Here I figured it was just the "gimmick offense" finally catching up to them... 

Quote from: D3fanboy on January 04, 2026, 08:45:09 PMUWRF defense isn't going to last very long with NCC running all over them and the UWRF offense having quick drives.

Pitching a second half shutout on the back of just one turnover against an offense some considered the best in D3? I'd say the held up just fine... Maybe it helped that the River Falls defense was used to playing four quarters the majority of the season (especially during WIAC play) instead of sitting and watching from the sidelines in the second half because of constant blowouts?

It's interesting/entertaining to go back and read some of the predictions from before the game... The common theme seemed to be that the River Falls defense would struggle to stop North Central. Ironically, that unit posts a shutout in the second half against the vaunted North Central offense despite just one turnover, albeit an incredible individual play by a d-lineman in the 4th quarter.

While Blaha was the best player on the field, that that River Falls defense stood tall and deserves a ton of credit for the Stagg Bowl victory!

Quote from: hazzben on January 05, 2026, 11:05:43 AMThe leadership and steadfastness to take a team out of the wilderness, survive winless seasons, etc. and keep the staff, admin, and players bought in. How many times did he have to look himself in the mirror and convince himself to stay the course?! It's one thing to take over a team that's had success, but to pull off the turnaround is just a great story.

I was impressed with how the telecast shared that the current DC was the former OC before Coach Walker made the tough decision to take over play-calling duties...  That's not always an easy choice to make and usually ruffles feathers.  I give the DC a TON of credit for not taking it personal and adapting to his new position.  Pretty impressive to see that defense pitch a second half shutout last night against North Central!

Congrats River Falls and especially Fred Falcon!

Watching the game, I thought two things made the difference... One, obviously the turnovers... Winning the turnover battle 3-0 and having two of them come in the redzone, can't be understated. Two, North Central looked totally out of sorts with being down multiple scores in the 4th quarter. River Falls definitely looked like the more battle tested team on the field tonight, and I'd like to think the grind of the WIAC schedule helped prepare the Falcons for tonight.

If you would've been told River Falls would have the lead in the 4th quarter AND have possession, I'd take it in a heartbeat!

Quote from: Bofadeeznuts on December 06, 2025, 07:13:39 PMOr final 8. Or final 16.

You could invite top 4 teams from some of the other conferences and they'd have the same lack of success the WIAC just had. Feels like other conferences are having more success these playoffs.
Depends on what you consider definition of "best conference. "
No doubt WIAC is most competitive league top to bottom. But that doesn't mean best conference. Not to me.
Based on playoff success, or lack of success over the last 5 years, I could maybe say the conference is full of average teams. Maybe the NCC/Wheaton conference is a better conference. Maybe those teams that NCC & Wheaton beat up during the season would have some success in the WIAC. Maybe?
That's why you CAN base best conference on playoff success. Or the lack of.
Again. It's what someone considers the definition of. But I don't. And that's just me.

Circling back to this now that there's some down time until the next game...

Three different WIAC teams (UWO, Whitewater, and now River Falls) have played in the D3 Semifinals since 2017... Does any other D3 Conference have even TWO semifinalists over that same stretch of time?

You can take it a step further as those same three teams have all also played in a Stagg Bowl since 2016.

What a weak conference the WIAC is... 

That makes three teams from the WIAC to make the Stagg Bowl over the last nine years/eight editions. Impressive to say the least!

Congrats Falcons and Fred!

River Falls looks to be well on their way to a berth in the Semifinals as they lead 46-21 with under 3:00 remaining.

Congrats Fred!

Quote from: Bofadeeznuts on December 06, 2025, 07:13:39 PMMaybe the NCC/Wheaton conference is a better conference. Maybe those teams that NCC & Wheaton beat up during the season would have some success in the WIAC. Maybe?

Like the 3rd Place CCIW team WashU?

They just so happened to lose to the 5th Place WIAC team in the Isthmus Bowl...

Not much doubt about the best team in D3 Villeyball this season.

UWO dominates in the NCAA Championship from beginning to end as they win every single set they played to go 18-0 enroute to a perfect 6-0 match record to claim the school's first Volleyball Championship!

Quote from: cubs on December 06, 2025, 02:19:51 PMHalftime Scores

North Central 28 La Crosse 7
Bethel 14 Platteville 10
River Falls 14 St. John's 7

And then there was one...

Final Scores
River Falls 42 St. John's 14
North Central 35 La Crosse 27
Bethel 35 Platteville 24

In a score that might interest some, John Carroll knocks off Mount Union 10-7 in 2OT.

Halftime Scores

North Central 28 La Crosse 7
Bethel 14 Platteville 10
River Falls 14 St. John's 7

Quote from: cubs on December 06, 2025, 02:03:42 PMNot to be outdone, Platteville making some mistakes of their own. After jumping out to a quick 10-0 lead, though one could argue it could be more after settling for a FG despite having 1st and Goal from the one yard line. That defensive stop seemed to shift the momentum, as Bethel went down and scored to make it a 10-7 game. The Pioneers then put a drive together but throw an INT at the two yard line on 2nd Down. Platteville seems to answer with an INT of their own but a roughing the passer penalty wipes it out and Bethel scores after the second chance to take a 14-10 lead. 

Platteville in position to score before the half with another 1st and Goal inside the Bethel 10 yard line and promptly turns it over on a sack/fumble with under 20 remaining.

Not to be outdone, Platteville making some mistakes of their own. After jumping out to a quick 10-0 lead, though one could argue it could be more after settling for a FG despite having 1st and Goal from the one yard line. That defensive stop seemed to shift the momentum, as Bethel went down and scored to make it a 10-7 game. The Pioneers then put a drive together but throw an INT at the two yard line on 2nd Down. Platteville seems to answer with an INT of their own but a roughing the passer penalty wipes it out and Bethel scores after the second chance to take a 14-10 lead.