Quote from: ChickenHoops on August 27, 2026, 10:48:45 PM

Quote from: emma17 on August 27, 2026, 02:40:19 PM

Quote from: CarollFan on August 26, 2026, 09:04:21 PMUWW Media Day

Thank you for sharing. The players seem ready to go and Coach as well- I appreciate his self-critique.

If I had one question- I'd ask: Do you envision a game ever again where you'd only hand the ball to a running back 3 times in the first half?
I believe his answer to that would be more telling than any question he answered.

Are UW-W football players real students?  I know they used transfers a lot in MBB.

Yes. 66 UW-Whitewater football players made the WIAC scholastic honor roll. 

Quote from: WRMUalum13 on August 06, 2026, 11:46:08 AMWell... another D3fb podcast and another "Mount Union refused our request for an interview." I just listened to the most recent podcast and it was pretty cool to hear from other top programs... would love to hear from ours!

I'm planning to email the SID about this, and encourage any other Mount fans to do the same. It seems like the program is holding a grudge, that is directly depriving student athletes from pretty cool media opportunities, not to mention it harming the fan experience.

To be honest it also paints the program in a bad light. When every other top program is eager about talking about their upcoming season it makes us look pretty pretenious.

Anyway, I'm tired of years of this stupid grudge holding.

I feel like Pat and Greg have always handled that situation with class. No real commentary, just informing the audience why Mount may not be part of interviews.

Quote from: AndrewB on July 24, 2026, 05:59:09 PMJust reading the position reports on warhawkfootball.com and can't figure out UWW roster construction.  The 3 biggest playmakers are close to the same measurements.
Nigel Cheeks.  5-8 185
Tyler Vasey    5-10 180
Jacques Brooks 5-8 180

Are all 3 going to be on the field at the same time?  Will they rotate so 2 are on the field? 
For a team that couldn't run the ball against DePauw, are they going Air raid now? 
This just seems like a team without an identity. 

I think if you are looking for the Hawks' identity, you need to step back and use a wider-angle lens instead of just looking at the height and weight of three of their offensive weapons.

First, it will start with defense with at least one All-Region type playmaker at every level. They will be fast and physical. Their defensive line will be disruptive and their linebackers will fly to the ball.

Second, they have an ascending dual-threat quarterback who may have played his best game of the year in the playoff game under horrible conditions (including no running game). The progression he has made in seeing the field and decision-making since last year will make him very tough to beat out by the two transfers who are competing with him. If one of them does beat him out, trust me, they will be very good.

Third, they have six senior offensive linemen returning. No doubt that the offensive line must improve over last year's unit. Some adjustments have been made to the scheme. There's a lot of maturity in that room determined to get back the performance back to the standard.

Fourth, don't sleep on Brian Stanton and Tommy Lutz. Stanton is healthy after battling a variety of injuries last year. He is more explosive than he showed. And at 6'2" 215 pounds, Lutz is a very physical runner who will add power to the mix.

Fifth, Charlie Koeppen, 6'2" 240 pound H-back brings a physicality that is reminiscent of Drake Martin. Quarterback convert Aiden Lucero (6'1" 230 pounds) has adapted well both in getting open and in line play and will be an x factor as well.

In other words, if you expect UW-W to be anything less than extremely fast, physical, and talented, I'd suggest you watch them. I believe they will be significantly improved over last year.

If you wanted to summarize an identity, I'd say "UW-W will be multiple on offense with several weapons capable of a big play and relentlessly fast and physical on defense".

Quote from: AndrewB on July 24, 2026, 04:16:06 AM

Quote from: colinsteinke on July 23, 2026, 04:20:25 PM

Quote from: AndrewB on July 15, 2026, 03:20:39 PM

Quote from: Mitch Hall on July 15, 2026, 02:17:52 PMWow. Why so high on the Eagles ?

First, they have a D2 lineup.

Offensive coordinator Tarek Yaeggi is going into his second season. I expect a improvement with Senior QB Haas and a top 5 nationally wide receiver in Janke.  Transfer RB Marc Coy.  Still have a huge O-line. 
They have taken a huge hit on the kicking game.
Also favorable schedule.  Have Whitewater, River Falls and Platteville all at home.

Doesn't most of the top half of the WIAC have rosters that could compete in D2?

Losing a head coach matters, even if you promote from within your program. That's going to matter at some point this year. But they're not the second best team in the country. Hell, they might not be the second best team in the WIAC this year.

2007 First year head coach of Whitewater Lance Leipold, took UWW to the Stagg Bowl. (and won)
2022 First year head coach of North Central Brad Spencer, took NCC to the Stagg Bowl. (and won)

I have no question that Coach Zweifel will excel in his new position.  Today's players want coaches who are more science based with data than ever before.  Work smarter, not harder.  When he talks of maximizing practices and workouts, he has the science behind his decisions.  When a player meets him, and they realize the accomplishments he has as a D3 receiver, he brings instant credibility. 

I think you both make valid points. I believe Coach Zweifel will be an excellent head coach.  But I also believe it's very reasonable to expect there to be growing pains in year one.

Coach Leipold and Coach Spencer did indeed lead their teams to National Championships in year one. But in what world are Leipold and Spencer not outliers? Not to mention the programs they inherited.

If nothing else, they do prove it's possible. And I doubt anyone would say La Crosse appearing in the Stagg Bowl would be impossible. But it's also very plausible that they could finish #3 or #4 in the WIAC. But what I know about this year is no more than you guys, that's for sure! I do think this will be a fascinating year in the WIAC.

"Fall Camp Preview: Quarterbacks"

www.warhawkfootball.com

Ahhh. I stand corrected. Thanks Pat. Why would I think the NCAA would have something simple and straightforward? Silly me. 

There is not a single WIAC-mandated date on which every team has to report. The controlling rule is the NCAA Division III rule governing the first permissible practice date.

A Division III football team may begin official preseason practice 23 days before its first scheduled game. There is a special provision for a team opening on the Thursday of the NCAA's opening weekend: it may calculate the 23 days from the following Friday. The WIAC does not appear to add a separate conference-wide starting date; its football code directs the schools back to the NCAA playing-season rules.

So, teams that play their first game on the same date will generally have the same earliest permissible practice date, but teams do not necessarily have to begin camp—or have players report—on the same day. The exact report date is set by each school and is usually immediately before the first practice so players can move in, complete medical and compliance requirements, receive equipment, and attend organizational meetings.

For example, a team opening on Saturday, September 5, could hold its first practice on Thursday, August 13. Players would likely report on or around Wednesday, August 12, depending on how that school structures its administrative day. I do believe UW-W is reporting on August 12. A team opening on Thursday of that opening weekend could potentially begin a day earlier under the Thursday-game provision.This applies to River Falls this year. I'm guessing they would take the extra day and report on the 11th.

And I completely agree about a WIAC media day. A Zoom-style event with each coach discussing returning starters, position battles, newcomers and expectations would be inexpensive to produce and would generate some much-needed preseason coverage and discussion.

Quote from: AndrewB on June 26, 2026, 05:24:51 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on June 26, 2026, 04:07:37 PM

Quote from: AndrewB on June 23, 2026, 06:22:13 PMI don't have any social media accounts.  But when I typed in "Kyle Haas football", it showed part of his X account.  It thanks his UW-L teammates and staff, but also said he was entering the transfer portal. Is this true, or is this old and not applicable anymore?

I think you might have misread it. Another La Crosse QB, Joe Cheatham, entered the portal. Haas re-posted it with a very kind "endorsement" of the kid. Hass is all about UW-L. He isn't going anywhere.

Thanks,
Is this Josh?

Just a quick question.  Did you go to the June golf outing?  And how was the turnout and attitude for the 2026 year?

Thanks again

This is not Josh. I don't know if he has an account here. If you have an X account, you can find him at @joshgolberg.

Quote from: AndrewB on June 23, 2026, 06:22:13 PMI don't have any social media accounts.  But when I typed in "Kyle Haas football", it showed part of his X account.  It thanks his UW-L teammates and staff, but also said he was entering the transfer portal. Is this true, or is this old and not applicable anymore?

I think you might have misread it. Another La Crosse QB, Joe Cheatham, entered the portal. Haas re-posted it with a very kind "endorsement" of the kid. Hass is all about UW-L. He isn't going anywhere.

Quote from: The Third Division on June 10, 2026, 11:35:29 PMPetition to rename UW-Whitewater to UW-Whitewater Football

Yes! Now we are getting somewhere!

Quote from: D3fanboy on February 25, 2026, 02:20:13 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on February 24, 2026, 07:31:35 PMNext year will be much easier for the WIAC schools to fill their non-conference schedule as they will only need to schedule two games. Conference play will begin week three, there will be a conference bye week 6 and then week 10 will be pit 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5. The regular season champion will be declared after week 9.

WIAC doing it all wrong.  take a page from the MN conference.  play 1v2, 3v4, 5v6 etc and blow up the NPI

I think the thinking behind the format (which now will not happen) is that this format maximizes the opportunity for multiple at large bids. I'm sure they definitely didn't want a 3 v 4 game.

Quote from: bleedpurple on February 24, 2026, 07:31:35 PMNext year will be much easier for the WIAC schools to fill their non-conference schedule as they will only need to schedule two games. Conference play will begin week three, there will be a conference bye week 6 and then week 10 will be pit 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5. The regular season champion will be declared after week 9.

OK. Got the scoop at the basketball game last night. The above was exactly the proposal that was approved by the WIAC last fall. Then there was "another vote' and it was voted down. Don't know any more details. But apparently it is a no go.  But at least it appears I truly have held off dementia....for now.

Quote from: Retired Old Rat on February 25, 2026, 12:49:23 PM

Quote from: bleedpurple on February 24, 2026, 07:31:35 PMNext year will be much easier for the WIAC schools to fill their non-conference schedule as they will only need to schedule two games. Conference play will begin week three, there will be a conference bye week 6 and then week 10 will be pit 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5. The regular season champion will be declared after week 9.

So, teams will play each other twice?  Never a fan of that.

This is the information I got. However, this information is from last November. Potentially it wasn't set in stone and they are moving in a different direction? If Pat says coaches are looking for week three games, then it's possible:
1. My source got a couple of the details mixed up.
2. People in the conference share your opinion and they chose to go in another direction.
3. I know more than coaches. In other words, probably #1 or 2.

My apologies if I shared misinformation!

Next year will be much easier for the WIAC schools to fill their non-conference schedule as they will only need to schedule two games. Conference play will begin week three, there will be a conference bye week 6 and then week 10 will be pit 1 vs 8, 2 vs 7, 3 vs 6, and 4 vs 5. The regular season champion will be declared after week 9.

Congratulations Fred and the Falcons! A very special team this year.