UW-La Crosse tailspin continues

What has happened to the mystique surrounding the UW-La Crosse football program? The Eagles won WIAC titles in 2002, 2003 and 2004 and have a league leading 33 championships overall.

UWL had been a thorn in the side of UW-Whitewater with archrivals often playing with the road to the conference title going to the winner.

The genesis of UW-Whitewater’s current five-year run of WIAC Championships began in La Crosse on October, 15, 2005.

A memorable goal-line stand by the UWW defense and a Justin Beaver touchdown with 46 seconds left broke the hex, giving the Warhawks a 29-23 win spring boarding UW-Whitewater to a 10-0 regular season and playoff run to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

The mystique was broken.

The Warhawks next trip to La Crosse proved even more devastating for the Eagles.

Both teams entered the game ranked in the Top 10 in three national polls.

The Warhawks trailed 21-7 at halftime and 28-10 in the 3rd quarter prior to scoring the 25 consecutive points in the 4th quarter, handing the conference-favorite Eagles its first loss of the season. Late in the game UW-Whitewater’s AJ Raebel knocked UW-L quarterback Griffin Moe out of the game with a ferocious sideline hit.

Three plays later replacement Gus Almonroeder's pass was picked off by UW-W’s Ben Farley at the La Crosse 46, and returned to the 18 with 2:14 left in the game.

Three plays later Jake Andersen, filling in because Beaver had left the game with a shin injury midway through the third quarter, punched it in from one yard out to give the pulsating come-from-behind victory.

The UWL-UWW rivalry bottomed out for the Eagles in last year’s 58-21 loss to the Warhawks in the regular season finale in front of the home crowd at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.

The 58 points allowed by UW-L are the second-most in school history. UW-Whitewater scored 60 points in a victory (60-32) n 1987.

For the first time since 1972, the UW-La Crosse football team lost to UW-Oshkosh last weekend.

The Titans ended a 37-game winless streak (35 losses, two ties) that included 24 wins in a row by the Eagles with a 28-17 victory at J.J. Keller Field at Titans Stadium.

The loss was La Crosse's eighth in a row dating to last year - the most in school history - and fourth to start the season.

Since the loss to Whitewater in 2007 UW-La Crosse has struggled to an 8 & 14 conference record and 11 & 20 overall.

Stroke victim says goodbye to post-stroke ROCK

It is just a few days after the fourth anniversary of my stroke. I can honestly say that the major reason for my recovery (both short term and long term) were due to the great folks at Meriter Hospital's (Madison) inpatient and outpatient stroke rehabilitation units. Considered one of the top rehab programs in the country, Meriter announced this week that it is shutting down it's outpatient, daily rehab unit.

Meriter Hospital will close its outpatient program for people who have suffered strokes and brain injuries as part of recently announced job cuts. The decision follows news last week that Meriter Health Services is cutting 57 positions. The Day Rehabilitation program is scheduled to close on Nov. 1, but Knowles said Meriter plans to introduce a new, more efficient program to treat those patients.

Wednesday evening a large number of former stroke rebab patients packed Meriter's Rehab Center to say goodbye to those who so successfully worked with us to rehab following strokes.

I understand that many of you reading this don't understand the impact the Meriter's stroke rehabilitation therapists have had on my life. They were the rock that allowd me and hundreds of others to get back on our feet, at times with a little help. Those working at Meriter's stroke rehab were family to me. Even at Wednesday night's somber event, they continued to show me the understanding and courage to continue with a partially disabled body.

I understand that the world is not fair but I wish the "higher ups" who made the decision could walk "just a mile" in the shoes of the many stroke victims that relied on Meriter Hospital for stroke rehabilitation services. We are ALL upset about the elimination of jobs due to this cutback.

According to the Wisconsin State Journal, Meriter Hospital will close its outpatient program for people who have suffered strokes and brain injuries as part of recently announced job cuts.

"It's a great program, it's just not financially sustainable," said Mae Knowles, spokeswoman for Meriter. "It is on track to lose $200,000 this year."

The decision follows news last week that Meriter Health Services is cutting 57 positions.

The Day Rehabilitation program is scheduled to close on Nov. 1st.
I undertand this situation has nothing to due with football but for a stroke victim the recent news has been extremely disappointing.

Best of luck to my peeps at Meriter Stroke Rehab - you guys are the best!!!

Warhawks getting offensive in 2010

The UW-Whitewater football team has certainly been offensive in its four wins so far this season.

Whitewater is ranked No. 1 in the nation in total offense. The Hawks are averaging 575 yards per game offensively while score a robust 47.8 points per game.

Matt Blanchard is ranked No. 3 in the latest NCAA Division III statistics in pass efficency. For the season, the junior from Lake Zurich, Illinois is 67 for 93 for 1002 yards through the air. Blanchard is ranked No. 2 in the country with a 72.04% pass completion percentage.

On the ground, Whitewater is ranked No. 1 in the WIAC. The Hawks are averaging 324.5 yards rushing per game at a 6.6 yard per carry clip. Both Levell Coppage and Booker Stanley pace the UWW rushing attack. Coppage is averaging 102.2 yards per game just ahead of Stanley's 101.0 yards per game. Antwan Anderson ranks a close third at 79.8 yards per game on the ground.

This is the first time in my memory that the Warhawks lead the nation in total offense.

Warhawks and Crimson Tide lead nation in consecutive wins

The UW-Whitewater football team will enter Saturday's game at vs. UW-Stout at Perkins Stadium tied for the longest winning streak in NCAA football (any division).

As a result of last week's 49-17 win at UW-Platteville, the Warhawks have now won 19 games in a row. The Hawks are tied for the longest win streak with BCS No. 1 ranked Alabama who's blowout win over Florida last Saturday gives the defending national champions 19 straight wins as well.

The Warhawks' streak of 19-straight dates back to its loss to Mount Union in the 2008 Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl.

The win streak is also the longest in school history.

Random thoughts on Prime Time Thursday at Platteville

I was excited about the pregame publicity surrounding last night's Family Night in connection with the Whitewater at Platteville game. The UWP students did there part by showing up in droves at Ralph E. Davis/Pioneer Stadium. I guess I was a little disappointed in the number of adults and "families" that made the trek to the stadium. UWP did a wonderful job in putting together $1 off tickets, special interactive games for kids, and $10 family food deals.

I apologize for "going off" at the student workers manning the drive down to the parking lot immediately adjacent to Platteville's stadium. It was the first time in my 22 years of broadcasting Warhawk football that I was not allowed to park in the lot. Now that I'm sufficiently handicapped and being told I'm suppose to park "over the hill" in the Jay Street SW/Longhorn lot I regretfully "snapped." Maybe it is time to adhere to my doctor's advice and get a lobotomy.

The attendance last night's game did get a bump. The announced attendance of 3,124 was actually double the 1,791 average attendance of of five UWW - UWP games played in Ralph E. Davis/Pioneer Stadium.

The Warhawks might of fell behind early but I was impressed with the way there was no panic and would go on to methodically roll to a win 49-17 victory in the WIAC opener at Platteville.

How about the Hawks rushing defense? Last night the Pioneers finished the game a minus-12 yards rushing. Through four games, Whitewater is giving up a miniscule 31 yard rushing per game. Bethel (Minn) 26 yards per game and North Central (Ill) 28 yards per game are currently ranked 1-2 entering the weekend.

Whitewater has now won 16 of the 18 George Chryst Memorial Bowl Games. The game is held each year in memory of former Platteville head football coach George Chryst who died unexpectantly following the 1992 season.

Now that the WIAC portion of the schedule is underway the importance of the remainder of the games in the regular season is evident. For those that think that Whitewater will have a "cake-walk" to a sixth consecutive conference championship, you better think again. one game at a time must be the focus for not only the team - but also for "Warhawk Nation."

Did you know that the annual "Family Day Game" at Perkins Stadium has averaged 8,829 fans the past three years.
* 2009 - 9,157 vs Platteville
* 2008 - 11,028 vs. La Crosse (Perkins Stadium record attendance)
* 2007 - 6,301 vs. River Falls

With UW-Stout coming in next week for 2010 UW-Whitewater Family Day lets plan on Packing the Perk

I wish I knew how many Milwaukee and Madison area football fans listened in to last night's simulcast of the KOOL 106.5 broadcast on 540 ESPN-Milwaukee and 100.5 ESPN-Madison. I didn't hear any on-air promotion of the broadcast on either of the stations and worried about the number of listeners that were aware that the Hawks game was coming up?

Big UW-Whitewater crowd at Platteville Thursday night

The momentum of the 2010 season is building among Warhawk football fans.

A large contingent, including a full Warhawk Express fan bus, were on hand for Thursday night's game at UW-Platteville.

Platteville's Family Fest game drew 3124 fans to Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium under perfect weather conditions.

A reminder, the Warhawk Quarterback Club will have a Van Galder/Coach USA motor coach fan bus going to each of the Warhawk road games during the regular season.

The excitment is building. Catch the fever by attending the Oct. 6 Family Day game vs. Stout at Perkins Stadium.

Last year over 9.100 attended the Hawks' Family Day game. This year lets aim high by Packing the Perk!!

Rusch passes 3000 yards receiving

Whitewater's Aaron Rusch is UW-Whitewater's all-time leading pass receiver. The senior from Hartford led all receivers with 9 catches for 123 yards in Thursday nights 49-,17 win at UW-Platteville. In the process, Rusch eclipsed the 3,000 yard mark for his career. The former All-State reciever at Hartford Union High School now has 3,097 yards receiving in his record-setting career.

The Warhawks recorded a season-high 342 yards passing in the conference opening victory. UWW QB Matt Blanchard finished the game 24 for 30 for 342 yards and three touchdowns through the air.