FB: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference

[hazzben]

2-1 would be a great day, 2 teams in the Quarters would be a statement. I have a hard time seeing UWL over NCC. All other results seem very much in play.

[cubs]

La Crosse played right with North Central to start, but too many mistakes after the Eagles took an early 7-0 lead.

La Crosse dropped an INT on 3rd down at their own 41 yard line and North Central marches down the field following a "three and out" to tie it up 7-7. La Crosse then puts another drive together getting inside NCC 30-yard line only to throw an INT in the endzone for a touchback on 2nd & 3. NCC scores four plays later to take a 14-7 lead.

[cubs]

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. 

[cubs]

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. 

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.

[cubs]

Halftime Scores

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

[cubs]

Halftime 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.

[Mitch Hall]

Congrats to the Falcons. I hope you win it all.

[palum]

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. 

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.

Thanks for the recap. I was at the Wisconsin-Marquette game so I could only check the scores now and then. Congratulations to River Falls on your big win today. They will be hosting Wheaton which has been somewhat of a surprise this playoff season.

[emma17]

I think it was a good showing by the WIAC today. Turnovers hurt UWP and UWL but that often separates the best from the very good.

UWRF played well- Blaha took a pounding. I saw him limping, I hope he's good to go next Saturday. Congratulations to the Falcons.

[Bofadeeznuts]

DePauw 26 @ UWW 23
Wheaton 49 @ DePauw 24

Wow. Yikes. Safe to say our beloved UW Warhawks should have never been invited into the playoffs. Didnt Depauw take 2nd in their conference? Wonder what they'd do in a WIAC conference.  But then again they just got smoked today by Wheaton at home who i believe took 2nd in their conference. NCC smokes Wheaton. Wheaton smokes DePauw. DePauw beats UWW. Cant imagine how much we'd lose by if we played NCC. Safe to say we are MILES behind the elite right now. Maybe the public perception that has been drilled in my head year after year that the WIAC is the best conference might not be true. Based on playoff lack of success over the last 5 years for the WIAC, I'm beginning to have my doubts. Maybe don't invite so many? Or maybe invite everybody? Maybe then 2 would reach round of 8.
Any who, what an embarrassing season for our Warhawks. I just can't take this poor showing anymore. We need a championship AT LEAST every other year.
4 WIAC teams in playoffs. 1 done in REAL first round. Another 2 done in REAL 2nd round. This feels like it's happening year after year for the best conference. Always a poor showing in the playoffs for teams invited in from this conference. Here's hoping UWRF makes this deep run they're capable of making to make this conference respectable.
Hopefully Blaha doesn't retire and collect social security by the time the playoffs are over. He's fun to watch.

[fredfalcon]

Thanks, Emma. Did not appreciate booing when SJU came on the field or taunting calls from RF fans. Also did not expect one dimensional SJU offense. Trey Feeny appeared slow in every respect to me. But he could afford to be slow bcuz SJU O line very good prorotecting him.

[fredfalcon]

Mitch Hall, Palum:  thanks.
Blaha not seriously injured and actually ran on the field to replace Fitzgerald after his injury, to the leg he does not have a brace on. But Ben Wesolowaki became the third qb.

[Pat Coleman]

DePauw 26 @ UWW 23
Wheaton 49 @ DePauw 24

Wow. Yikes. Safe to say our beloved UW Warhawks should have never been invited into the playoffs. What an embarrassing season.
4 WIAC teams in playoffs. 1 done in REAL first round. Another 2 done in REAL 2nd round. This feels like it's happening year after year for the best conference. Always a poor showing in the playoffs for teams invited in from this conference.

They did exactly what they were seeded to do. The strength of the WIAC is from 1-6 or 1-8, not on 4 teams that should all be assumed will advance to the final four.

[Bofadeeznuts]

Or 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.
If you keep telling people something over and over again, they will eventually believe you. Reminds me of Donny Cheeseburger continuously telling me the 2020 election was rigged. If you say it enough, weakminded people will eventually drink the kool-aid.
Black isn't White.

[USee]

You may remember the 3rd place CCIW team lost to the 5th place WIAC team in the Culver's Bowl a few weeks back.