The Milwaukee Penguins

Coach Of the Year

2007-05-05T12:09:00.001-07:00

Coach Of the Year
Originally uploaded by RumAli.

It's been awhile, but we've still been at it. Oh, lord, have we still been at it.

The Tangerine Bowl

2006-05-12T21:22:00.000-07:00

The Tangerine Bowl

Milwaukee College Penguins (10-2, #27) vs. Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets (8-4, #26)

The Tangerine Bowl, aka the Florida Citrus Bowl, usually features teams from the SEC and the Big 10. Well, here we are, a league-less team, hoping to complete a Cinderella season with an upset of the George Tech Yellow Jackets. Never have we played in front of a such a big crowd: over 70,000 in paid attendance.

And Root (QB #5), my starting quarterback, felt it. She played nervous, completing only one out of her first seven passes. It's a good thing that our defense stepped up their play. After Louisiana Tech showed what can be done against our secondary, I ran extra drills in preparation for this game. It looks like the Tigers did the same, as the score remained nil-nil until a long touch down drive capped by a short run by, who else, Wetzel (HB #47) gave us the first lead.

8 seconds left in the half. The Tigers get a good kick return. Their QB chucks it deep and connects on the 19 yard line. Time runs out. The officials, though, call one of us - I won't name who - for a face-mask penalty. The rules says that the game and the half can't end on a penalty, so out trots the Tigers' field goal unit and they escape with three points.

I was furious! I gave it to my team in the spacious locker room.

The third quarter featured more defensive mastery from each team. Then, the Tigers put together the most incredible touchdown drive. They did what no other team against us: milk the clock. And they went 3-for-3 on fourth downs! I couldn't believe their luck. Or skill. Everybody was getting antsy on the sidelines. There was a lot of pent up energy from the offensive unit, especially from Koch (QB #22).

With about 4 minutes left to play, I stuck with my game plan and sent Root (QB #5) to try to guide us back to the lead. And then, again following my game plan, I inserted Koch in on third down plays. Koch has proven to be an effective scrambler. And then I departed from my game plan and ran a bunch of no huddle offenses, with Koch still at quarterback. We kept the Tigers off balance and actually had an easy time down the field, with Koch taking the ball in himself, running it in from about eleven yards out. Will my opponents ever learn? 14-10 with 2:43 left to play.

Plenty of time. We should've taken longer to give our defense a longer rest.

Just like their last drive, the Tigers converted on fourth down; however, a holding penalty was called against them, setting up a fourth-and-16. AND AGAIN THEY CONVERTED! But senior cornerback Bennett (CB #10), out of desperation and frustration, whacks at the ball and actually strips it from the receiver, causing a fumble. K Anderson (SS #26) picks it up.

I run down the clock and then, with a second left, let Chi (K #40) kick a short field goal. There it is, our first bowl victory. Holy moly.

STATS: MKE - GT

score: 17-10
first downs: 15-12
total offense: 245-264
rushes - yards: 28-100 --- 28-63
comp-att-TD: 14-24-0 --- 15-27-0
passing yards: 145-201
sacked: 1-1
turnovers: 0-3
fumbles - lost: 1-0 --- 2-1
intercepted: 0-2
top: 15:10 -- 16:50

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 96.0 rating, 8-17 for 99 yards
Koch (QB #22) 140.9 rating, 6-7 for 46 yards; 6-48 rush (8.0 avg), 1 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 20-42 rush (2.0 avg), 1 TD
Franklin (WR #81) 9-86 rec (9.5 avg)
Finner (WR #83) 3-37 (12.3 avg)

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Umali (CB #3) 6 tackles (1 for loss), 1 forced fumble
Conti (MLB #72) 5 tackles (2 for loss)
Straka (CB #1) 5 tackles (1 for loss)
Anderson (SS #26) 1 int, 2 pass deflects, 1 fumble recovery
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 forced fumbe

Pause

2006-01-24T23:19:00.000-08:00

The reason why the Milwaukee College Penguins have been on hiatus ... especially on the cusp of greatness ... is this:

myspace.com/maddenmondays

I got recruited to coach the New York Giants (yes, Eli Manning, Amani Toomer, Tiki Barber ... those guys). Things went better than expected, and in this business, that gave me the chance to helm a "better" team, the Indianapolis Colts.

All, well, most, of the Penguins think it is a good idea to take this break from my collegiate duties and to concentrate on, gulp, actually playing with the big boys. And these are big boys.

Take care!

Season 3, Game 12:vs Louisiana Tech

2005-11-15T00:10:00.000-08:00

Louisiana Tech Bulldogs (6-4, #53) at Milwaukee College Penguins (9-2, #33)

Bowl position is foremost on our minds, but there's also the crazy race for the Offensive Lineman of the year award! For the last two years our left guard Buccheri (LG #59) has won the award. This year, the Penguins sport the three finalists: Buccheri, of course, but also her counterpart Leplae (RG #69) and Bogner (LT #52). Some might be surprised at Bogner making the top cut, but nobody this side of Lake Michigan should be. Third down quarterback Koch (QB #22) always runs to the left side of the field; I think that leads to Bogner getting more opportunities for pancake blocks. It's a great rivalry in the trenches.

It practically took all our attention so that when the game started, we were caught unawares by the Bulldogs. They've won five straight and, while bowl eligible with six wins, needs that seventh one to make their case more loudly. One can argue that they needed this game more than us.

They certainly played that way. We traded touchdown after touchdown until the middle of the second quarter. We then fumbled the ball two straight times and they scored 21 unanswered points to go into the half leading 42-21.

I gave the harangue of my life. I wanted the win. I wanted to be undefeated at home. I wanted the momentum going into the post-season. I wanted the nice balance of finishing 10-2 when just two seasons ago we were 2-10. Then the seniors of the team took over. For many of my players - Wetzel, Root (QB #5), Bennett (CB #10), Buccheri, Bogner, Love (RT #70) among them - this was going to be their last game playing at Rolling Mills, in front of the partisan crowd. Over a third of the team is going to graduate! Love said it best, in his squeaky voice, "We ain't going out like that."

We put on a clinic in the second half. On the first drive, Wetzel (HB #47) punched it in to make it 42-28. Then the defenses took over; they made the proper adjustments and kept us scoreless for the rest of the quarter, but we did the same to them.

At the beginning of the fourth, Foldy (FB #29) scores his second TD of the day to make it 42-35. Even though they responded on the next drive with a field goal, the outcome seemed inevitable. Foldy would score again to make it 45-42. Our defense, spearheaded by my brother Umali (CB #73) with eight tackles and two sacks, forced another three-and-out and on our next drive Wetzel finishes the improbably comeback victory with his second TD of the half.

Jubilation on the field. A near riot. Root nearly in tears.

FIre up the vegan grill.

STATS: LAT - MKE

score: 45-49
first downs: 17-33
total offense: 504-627
rushes - yards: 19-42 --- 35-197
comp-att-TD: 21-37-3 --- 31-51-2
passing yards: 462-430
sacked: 3-2
turnovers: 1-2
fumbles - lost: 3-1 --- 3-2
intercepted: 0-0
top: 13:28 - 18:32

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 199.7 rating, 12-16 for 159 yards, 2 TD; 7-79 (11.2 avg) rush
Root (QB #5) 119.3 rating, 19-35 for 271
Wetzel (HB #47) 17-110 (6.4 avg), 2 TD
Foldy (FB #29) 6-17 (2.8 avg), 3 TD
Franklin (WR #81) 15-231 rec (15.3 avg), 2 TD

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Umali (CB #73) 8 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks
Conti (MLB #72) 7 tackles
Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles, 2 forced fumbles
Division (ROLB #39) 3 tackle (1 for loss)
Germain (DT #91) 2 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack

Note: While I did make mention of the fight for Best Offensive Lineman, I should acknowledge the accolades I've received as a coach. As the person calling the plays as well as recruiting in the off season, I'm proud to take full responsibility for the stunning turn around this team has undergone in just three short seasons. My efforts have not gone unnoticed. Not only is the Milwaukee College Athletic Department going to reward me with a "lengthy" contract, the NCAA is also pegging me to win Coach of the Year honors. I hate to jinx like I just did, but damn, that would be great for recruiting.

Boobirds no more

2005-11-12T08:30:00.000-08:00

Before this season, we were 1-5 in close contests, games in which the margin of victory was 7 or under. This year, we are 2-0 in such contests.

Also, and more importantly for building our fan base, before this season we were an appalling 2-10 when playing in our field in Milwaukee. This year, following our last home victories, we are 5-0 at home. That sure makes walking the streets of my fair city easier.

No more boobirds!

[Incidentally, boobirds is "going to be good" in Scrabble competition, once the 4th edition of the Official Word List starts getting used in NSA sanctioned Scrabble tourneys.]

Season 3, Game 11:vs U of Southern Florida

2005-11-10T12:00:00.000-08:00

U of Southern Florida Bulls (6-3, #55) at Milwaukee College Penguins (8-2, #34)

We returned to Milwaukee, WI to finish out the season before our now certain bowl bid. "Who's going to invite the mighty Penguins?" The pundits have us playing at the Humanitarian Bowl in Boise, Idaho. It's admittedly exciting to speculate, especially for our huge graduating class, but these pre-bowl announcement speculations hardly ever prove true. I told my kids to just concentrate on the game. Admittedly, that's a hard thing to do, especially with the Milwaukee College athletic directors pestering me all the time about a contract extension.

But at least the return of starting senior cornerback Bennett (CB #10) served to focus our game. It also served to focus the legions of fans - boys and girls, men and woman alike - that flock to our games. Nothing like a Bennett in uniform.

The 55-ranked Bulls played a tight game against us, going into the half down by only 10 points. But then we poured it on, Bennett got an interception and Root (QB #5) finished with 287 yards through the air, connecting with Morgan (WR #88) for each of her three touchdown throws, two of which came in the fourth quarter. Undeniably good stuff.

Now, how many seasons does Milwaukee College want me for?

STATS: USF - MKE

score: 21-44
first downs: 11-22
total offense: 313-408
rushes - yards: 20-(-6) --- 30-82
comp-att-TD: 14-27-3 --- 23-43-3
passing yards: 319-326
sacked: 4-2
turnovers: 3-1
fumbles - lost: 2-1 --- 1-0
intercepted: 2-1
top: 13:20 - 18:40

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 147.2 rating, 21-36 for 287 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 14-41 (2.9 avg), 1 TD; 6-62 rec (10.3 avg)
Morgan (WR #88) 6-100 rec (16.6 avg), 3 TD
Franklin (WR #81) 4-78 rec (19.5 avg)
Huggett (C #73) 7 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Stewart (FS #27) 5 tackles, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble
Bennett (CB #10) 4 tackles, 1 INT
Straka (CB #1) 5 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Conti (MLB #72) 4 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack
Price (LE #90) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack

Note: This is the second time this season when we've held an opponent to negative yards rushing!

Season 3, Game 10:at Air Force Academy

2005-11-06T13:58:00.000-08:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (7-2, #34) at Air Force Academy Falcons (7-2, #37)

I'm recruiting someone right now who really wants to go the Air Force. He really believes that he's going to get something like fifty or sixty thousand dollars a year during his service. I invited him to the game, flying him out to Colorado, on Milwaukee College's dime, but he declined.

His loss.

Two 7-2 teams. Regional broadcast. Lee "Scooter" Corso has changed his tune since a couple of games ago, when he derided my squad before the first thriller in Colorado, against Colorado State. Well, here we are again, a regionally broadcasted game, and Lee Corso praises our defense: "The best thing about this defense is that they play for the good of the team. There are no egos on this unit, no sir." They gave the slight edge to us and I guess Air Force heard, because after the Falcons took a 7-3 lead, they played frightened for the rest of the game.

Freakin' Air Force and their crazy coach, who once made the excuse for a loss by saying that the other team had "more African Americans." I mean, what?! Not only did I want to win, but I wanted to run up the score.

So it was more than a good thing that senior Root (QB #5) had a great game, going 20-33 for 331 yards and 3 touchdowns and no interceptions. Morgan (WR #88) followed up her stellar 200+ yard game with a 124 yard effort and 1 touchdown grab.

As for our ego-less defense: With number one cornerback Bennett (CB #10) still sitting on the bench, our secondary stepped up. I put all three of our safeties on the field at once: freshman Stewart (FS #27) join stalwart seniors Geigel (FS #27) and K Anderson (SS #26) in the secondary. While they didn't net any interceptions, they did limit Air Force's passing yards to only 99 yards. Did you read that right? Read it again: we limited Air Force to 99 passing yards. They had only 7 successful passing attempts.

It's clear they wanted to beat us on the run but once it doesn't work, you have to have the flexibility to abandon the initial plan. I know that the Air Force and our military in general are stubborn and have an unhealthy inability to admit its mistakes, but c'mon! We lead 31-7 at the half. They had the ball for only four possessions in the entire second half. And in the last quarter, they never got a first down. Pathetic.

When the plan doesn't work, don't keep doing what doesn't work. So like, fire that coach, don't give the guy a contract extension. Geez!

STATS: MKE - AF

score: 48-7
first downs: 24-7
total offense: 509-163
rushes - yards: 35-137 --- 25-64
comp-att-TD: 25-39-3 --- 7-20-1
passing yards: 372-99
sacked: 1-1
turnovers: 1-2
fumbles - lost: 1-1 --- 3-2
intercepted: 0-0
top: 19:19 -- 12:41

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 174.9 rating, 20-33 for 331 yards, 3 TD
Koch (QB #22) 140.7 rating, 5-6 for 41 yards; 3-30 rush (10.0 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 25-101 (4.0 avg), 3 TD; 5-39 rec (7.7 avg)
Morgan (WR #88) 4-124 rec (31 avg), 1 TD
Columbus (WR #82) 4-59 rec (14.7 avg), 2 TD

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Umali (CB #3) 5 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Conti (MLB #72) 5 tackles (2 for loss)
K Anderson (SS #26) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Price (LE #90) 4 tackles (1 for loss) 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovery
Miller (RE #62) 3 tackles, 1 forced fumbled

Season 3, Game 9:at Duke University

2005-11-03T10:08:00.000-08:00

Wetzel (Senior halfback #47) executes
the Halfback Option Pass.

Milwaukee College Penguins (6-2, #35) at Duke University Blue Devils (1-7, #86)

I grew up in Jersey City which is the home of the St. Anthony Friars high school basketball team. That team consistently ranks tops in the nation, largely because of the excellent coaching and recruiting. The head coach is none other than "Coach" Hurley, father of Bobby and Danny Hurley; the former made it to the NBA as a guard for the Sacramento Kings. Bobby was also instrumental in some of the Duke University championship basketball teams.

The reason I mention this is that my pal, Dallas DeLuca, did not get accepted to Duke University the same year that Bobby Hurley got a scholarship to attend.

That was, what?, a brazilian ages ago and I'm still holding a grudge? For something that didn't even happen to me? NAW!!!

Root (QB #5) throws an INT in her first play of the game, which basically spots the Blue Devils seven points. No need to get worried, though. But when Root throws ANOTHER interception to start the 2nd quarter, which Duke converts later to seven more points, as a coach, you kind of have to start yelling. In football, yelling is a tried-and-true tactic. Of course, yelling, more often than not, does absolutely nothing.

Luckily, it worked this time: we tie it up at the half, and proceed to outscore them 42 to 7 in the second half. (pause) That's right, we score SIX touchdowns in second half, including an incredible halfback option play. There, Root hands it off to Wetzel (HB #47) who makes the decision to throw it to Foldy (FB #29) in the left side of the end zone. We've never even *practiced* that play.

STATS: MKE - DUKE

score: 56-21
first downs: 32-7
total offense: 639-319
rushes - yards: 35-147 --- 11-4
comp-att-TD: 34-54-5 --- 14-29-3
passing yards: 492-315
sacked: 2-1
turnovers: 2-1
fumbles - lost: 2-1 --- 1-1
intercepted: 2-0
top: 23:06 -- 8:54

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 160.2 rating, 27-44 for 408 yards, 4 TD, 2 INT
Koch (QB #22) 140.4 rating, 6-9 for 79 yards; 4-21 rush (5.2 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 472.0 rating, 1-1 for 5 yards, 1 TD; 20-109 rush (5.9 avg), 1 TD; 4 -41 rec (10.2 avg)
Franklin (WR #81) 9-102 rec (11.3 avg)
Morgan (WR #88) 8-207 rec (25.8 avg), 3 TD

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Umali (CB #3) 8 tackles (1 for loss)
K Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles
Bushell (MLB #42) 3 tackles (1 for loss)
Straka (CB #1) 2 tackles, 3 pass deflects
McClone (CB #46) 2 tackles (1 for loss), 1 pass deflect, 1 forced fumble

NOTE: Bogner (LT #52) registers 9 pancakes, which solidifies his selection as a semi-finalist in the Best Offensive Lineman of the year award. Remarkably, the other two candidates are his linemates: Leplae (LG #69) and two-time winner Buccheri (RG #59).

Season 3, Game 8:vs Louisiana State

2005-10-29T17:07:00.000-07:00

Louisiana State University Tigers (4-3, #35) at Milwaukee College Penguins (5-2, #45)

Way back when I was recruiting for the first Milwaukee College Penguins football team (2004 edition), I confided in then sophomore half back Wetzel (HB #47) that he would be vying for the Heisman trophy come his senior year. Well, his senior year has arrived and the Heisman trophy committee has yet to knock on our door. Wetzel and I haven't discussed that earlier conversation as much.

"What happens to a dream deferred?"

Among the choices that Langston Hughes did not list is this: He hands it off to the next guy. In this case, the next guy is junior fullback B Foldy (FB #29). He's more of a blocking fullback but today, Foldy got payback. Against the Tigers, he scored a Penguin record FIVE touchdowns, four on the ground and 1 through the air. He didn't rip up the field - he only had 53 yards rushing on 14 attempts - but he got it where it counts. And I got the blow out I had been passive-aggressively asking for.

But not without a price. Starting cornerback and ex-girlfriend Bennett (CB #10) - and yes, the two are related - came out of the game in the fourth quarter with a pinched nerve. The doctors think she'll be out three or four games. I only carry four cornerbacks! I'll have to do some shuffling if I want to bring in our dime coverage.

STATS: LSU - MKE

score: 28-45
first downs: 11-32
total offense: 297-496
rushes - yards: 20-68 --- 46-200
comp-att-TD: 10-20-1 --- 19-35-2
passing yards: 229-296
sacked: 2-3
turnovers: 0-2
fumbles - lost: 0-0 --- 3-0
intercepted: 0-2
top: 10:10 -- 21:50

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 135.0 rating, 16-30 for 237 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Koch (QB #22) 119.1 rating, 3-5 for 59 yards, 1 INT; 4-56 rush (14.0 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 20-57 rush (2.8)
B Foldy (FB #29) 14-53 (3.7 avg), 4 TD; 2-16 rec (8.0 avg), 1 TD
Bogner (LT #52) 13 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Umali (CB #3) 5 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Conti (MLB #72) 3 tackles (1 for loss)
Hayden (LOLB #56) 3 tackles (1 for loss)
K Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles
McClone (CB #46) 2 tackles, 1 pass deflect

NOTES: After Hurricane Katrina, Milwaukee College was one of the first teams to open up our schedule to accommodate the Louisiana collegiate football teams. We'll be facing one more Louisiana team (Louisiana Tech) later on this season.

Season 3, Game 7:vs U of Southern Mississippi

2005-10-24T23:55:00.000-07:00

University of Southern Mississippi Golden Eagles (3-3, #72) vs Milwaukee College Penguins (4-2, #48)

After such a mistake-laden, harrowing game against the previously #17 Colorado State Rams, we practically welcomed the USM Golden Eagles with open arms. They are ranked #72 going into this game. But as we know, current rank standings can be deceptive.

We have been playing sloppy of late and our secondary hasn't been coming up with the interceptions. But we've been escaping with wins. How many times can we continually give our opponents chances to win the game before they actually make good on that chance?

A bit unprepared, the Golden Eagles pounce on us for 10 points early in the first quarter. Their touchdown came off an interception. But we come back, quick, scoring 24 unanswered points and limiting their offense to negative rushing yards. Still, our 24-17 lead going into the half felt tenuous.

I almost lost it when, after Chi (K #40) kicked a long field goal, the officials called a holding penalty on Bogner (LT #52), which effectively put us out of Chi's range. Of course, the Golden Eagles score a tying field goal on their next series. We fumble the ball back to them and our defense bends but doesn't break to the tune of allowing only a field goal. Then, in our next series, we threw the ball back to them! They had three interceptions to our one. This time, the Golden Eagles get a TD out of the deal. 34-24 in the fourth quarter. Another two-possession game.

Our defense then doesn't even bend, and our offense finally wakes up and, after being shut out in the third quarter, responds with the needed two touchdowns, a pass to B Foldy (FB #29) and another to Wetzel (HB #47) in the waning seconds. "Ho-hum," my team collectively seems to say. Meanwhile, I'm freaking out on the sidelines.

We made it exciting for the 5,089 in paid attendance.

STATS: USM - MKE

score: 34-38
first downs: 11-19
total offense: 216-385
rushes - yards: 20-(-5) --- 36-159
comp-att-TD: 17-35-2 --- 17-38-3
passing yards: 221-226
sacked: 4-4
turnovers: 1-4
fumbles - lost: 0-0 --- 1-1
intercepted: 1-3
top: 13:31 -- 18:29

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 115.0 rating, 15-33 for 203 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 22-76 rush (3.4 avg), 1 TD; 2-16 rec, 1 TD
Foldy (FB #29) 4-49 rush (12.2 avg), 1 TD
Franklin (WR #81) 5-116 rec (23.1 avg), 1 TD
Buccheri (RG #59) 8 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 6 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack, 3 pass deflects
Umali (CB #3) 6 tackles (1 for loss), 1 INT
Price (LE #90) 2 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks
Bushell (MLB #42) 4 tackles (2 for loss)
Hayden (LOLB #56) 4 tackles

NOTES: We went 3-4 in converting fourth downs.

Season 3, Game 6:vs Colorado State

2005-10-22T09:53:00.000-07:00

Colorado State Rams (5-0, #17) vs Milwaukee College Penguins (3-2, #68)

In the pre-season, the Colorado State Rams were ranked at #54. Coming into today's game, which would be broadcast regionally, they have risen up to #17 in the AP poll on the strength of their perfect record. No injuries on either side of the field made sure this was the game that we had agreed to in the pre-season.

I'm told that Lee Corso, who was calling the game for the regional broadcast, said "You could forget about this one, because it's going to get ugly. Why am I even here?!"

For the first defensive play of the game, from the 3-4 formation I called a Thunder Green blitz as a nod to the gods, and was rewarded by K Anderson (SS #26) sacking their QB.

On our first offensive possession, I introduced my new plan: the two-headed quarterback. I gave senior Root (QB #5) the start, but, on third-and-8, I called a 5-wide receiver set ... with sophomore Koch (QB #22) taking the snap. Why? With the threat of five wideouts occupying the six defensive backs, and All American Bogner (LT #52) and Leplae (LG #69) blocking the leftside, Koch was given the room to run. Koch got the first down, and dutifully left the field so Root could finish off the drive. 7-0.

Multiple mistakes by me and my team cost us more points, though. There was Chi (K #40) not being able to hit a 50-yard field goal (okay, that's not so much a mistake but we could've got him in closer); there was Root throwing an interception into the endzone.

We trade touchdowns to go 14-14 into the half. But it should've been 17-14 in our favor, except for mistake #3. With the ball on the 15-yard line with just 6 seconds left in the half, I send Koch out there with the five wide instead of calling for the field goal and he throws a completion but there's not enough time to line up for the kick. I have to manage my time better!!

--

The second half was insane. After we score a FG on our opening drive, the Rams score a touchdown but miss the extra point. I tell you, the winds off Lake Michigan can really wreak havoc on poor kickers. 20-17 in their favor. (It should've been 20-20 had I not make Mistake #3.)

Mistake #4. Straka, doing his usual excellence on a punt return, fumbles the ball for the first time all year. It's recovered by the Rams on the 41 yard line. Our defense stands firm, but, given the good field position Straka had us at, I would say that's at least another 3 points lost.

Early in the 4th quarter, their wide-receiver scores another long touchdown pitch-and-catch. 27-17, making it two scores to win the game.

On our next position, Root throws another INT. Mistake #5, but our defense stands firm and when our offense re-takes the field, I give the reins to Koch. Sorry, Root, but I was pissed more at myself than at you. Okay, a little at you. Koch gamely runs and throws until the drive stalls on the 15-yard line. But Chi hooks the field goal attempt left. Mistake #6.

Our defense bails us out again. Sort of. They get down to the 41 yard line. By running the ball, they run down the clock to less than 4 minutes. Koch in command again, running for the first down. He would finish with over 80 yards running, but he wouldn't finish the game. Tackled while throwing, Koch re-injures something and has to leave the game with an abdominal strain.

A chastened Root comes in with 2:32 left on the clock. 41-yard pass to Morgan (WR #88), followed a by a 13-yard touchdown throw to Columbus (WR #82). 27-24. Had I not made those earlier mistakes, we would've had some kind of a lead.

2-minutes left and our defense gets another three-and-out. Stuffing the run. Using a time-out. Stuffing the run again. Letting the clock run. On third-and-6, their QB throws an incomplete pass, stopping the clock with 90 seconds left. Plenty of time. We get the ball back near the 50 yard line.

Long throw to Franklin. Almost intercepted. 14-yard pass to Franklin. Now we're on the 39. Then, the play of the year. Trips Left. The play is called "Destroy." Root scrambles but the pocket holds. She heaves it down towards Morgan. The ball gets tipped by their cornerback, and into Morgan's little hands. Her momentum carries her the five yards into the end zone. We assume the lead with 50 seconds left.

Now that's a lot of time on the clock, especially with three timeouts. They get down to the 30 yard line, but a field goal won't win it for them. 31 seconds left. Walton, their QB, heaves it but my brother, Umali (CB #3) is covering his guy too well. The next play, my bro makes me proud by getting a sack. It's our fifth and perhaps most important sack of the day. Back to the 40 yard line. Anderson deflects a pass (which should've been an interception), and finally, Bennett does the same to end the game.

Root kneels a couple of times. Penguins over Rams.

STATS: CSU - MKE

score: 27-31
first downs: 13-25
total offense: 467-479
rushes - yards: 22-54 --- 37-149
comp-att-TD: 15-33-4 --- 22-47-3
passing yards: 413-330
sacked: 2-5
turnovers: 2-3
fumbles - lost: 1-0 --- 1-1
intercepted: 2-2
top: 12:55 -- 19:05

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 124.6 rating, 13-25 for 185 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Koch (QB #22) 113.9 rating, 9-22 for 145 yards, 1 TD; 7-80 rush
Wetzel (HB #47) 21-69 rush, 1 TD
Franklin (WR #81) 6-142 (23.6 avg)
Buccheri (RG #59) 13 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Conti (MLB #72) 8 tackles (1 for loss)
Straka (CB #1) 5 tackles, (2 for loss)
Division (ROLB #39) 3 tackles
K Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
Bennett (CB #10) 2 tackles (2 for loss), 1 INT, 3 pass deflects

NOTES: 8-16 converting third downs. Koch should be back for the next against (against Southern Mississippi University), so expect to see the same game plan.

Season 3, Game 5:at Notre Dame

2005-10-16T14:29:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (3-1, #58) @ Notre Dame Fightin' Irish (3-1, #31)

42. 18. Those were the scores that Notre Dame beat us by the last two seasons. The Penguins meet up with arch-rival Notre Dame each year as a way to gauge our progress. But it is not like Notre Dame is going through a renaissance. In fact, it's the first time in three years that we've met up with them when they haven't been in the Top 25. The gap is getting closer.

Koch (QB #22) was cleared to play today and, despite back-up quarterback Root's (QB #5) fine performance in the last two games (wins against the University of Illinois and Buffalo, in which she threw for 255 yards each game), I elected to go with Koch.

The first quarter was a defensive battle, which tends to favor us. It wasn't until early in the 2nd quarter did we finally put points up on the board; Chi (K #40) kicks a field goal to give us our first ever lead against the Fightin' Irish.

But we couldn't score again in the half. Notre Dame finally broke threw, scoring two touchdowns but missing the extra point each time! 12-3 going into the half.

Both team's adjustments yield touchdowns in the third. But it's here in the second half where Koch starts to falter. Two interceptions. And then a sack puts him out of the game with "back spasms." Root comes in, cold, and throws an interception to ice the game for Notre Dame.

STATS: MKE - ND

score: 10-25
first downs: 13-14
total offense: 225-323
rushes - yards: 25-32 --- 28-54
comp-att-TD: 18-42-0 --- 17--30-4
passing yards: 193-269
sacked: 2-1
turnovers: 3-0
fumbles - lost: 1-0 --- 1-0
intercepted: 3-0
top: 16:29 -- 15:31

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 75.5 rating, 18-40 for 193 yards, 2 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 16-33 rush (2.0 avg), 1 TD; 4-23 rec
Williams (TE #80) 3-32 (10.6 avg)
Franklin (WR #81) 3-82 (27.3 avg)
Buccheri (RG #59) 3 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 7 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Loeb (DT #60) 5 tackles
Conti (MLB #72) 4 tackles
Division (ROLB #39) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Price (LE #90) 3 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack

NOTES: This was kind of a demoralizing loss. It's the first time in a very long time where we haven't forced a turnover of any kind. The closest we got was forcing a fumble, but we went back to our old ways and didn't recover it. Also, everybody and their mother was hoping that Koch would come back and build upon that solid first game of the season, where he scored twice, one through the air and once rushing. But he proved to be in a fragile state of health. With an undefeated Colorado State looming in the horizon, expect to see some unusual tactics from us.

Season 3, Game 4:at Buffalo

2005-10-15T16:56:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (1-1, #62) @ Buffalo Bulls (1-2, #82)

I read this to my players before the game against Buffalo. It's written by Nobel Award winning author, Harold Pinter, and it is titled "American Football."

American Football

Hallelullah!
It works.
We blew the shit out of them.

We blew the shit right back up their own ass
And out their fucking ears.

It works.
We blew the shit out of them.
They suffocated in their own shit!

Hallelullah.
Praise the Lord for all good things.

We blew them into fucking shit.
They are eating it.

Praise the Lord for all good things.

We blew their balls into shards of dust,
Into shards of fucking dust.

We did it.

Now I want you to come over here and kiss me on the mouth.

---

Luckily, nobody took me up on the offer - and hopefully nobody will sue me for sexual harassment. Everybody knew I was reciting a poem.

Smash mouth football. That's what we had to do in order to win today's game. We entered the fourth quarter down 24 to the Bulls' 27. I couldn't believe it, actually. Near the beginning of the last quarter, Root (QB #5), still filling in for injured Koch (QB #22), tosses her second touchdown pass of the day, a short cross pattern to Sieczek (TE #86) to take the lead. Then our defense took over, giving us two three-and-outs while I called running play after running play. Wetzel (HB #47) and B Foldy (FB #29) combine for over 150 yards on the ground, and over 20 minutes of the game clock.

STATS: MKE - BUF

score: 34-27
first downs: 24-10
total offense: 411-422
rushes - yards: 43-156 --- 17-48
comp-att-TD: 17-29-2 --- 12-22-3
passing yards: 255-374
sacked: 2-2
turnovers: 1-1
fumbles - lost: 0-0 --- 1-0
intercepted: 1-1
top: 20:30 - 11:30

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 148.3 rating, 17-29 for 255 yards, 2 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 35-140 rush (4.0 avg), 1 TD; 3-7 rec, 1 TD
Columbus (WR #82) 5-79 rec (15.8 avg)
Finner (WR #83) 4-61 rec (15.2 avg)
Buccheri (RG #59) 5 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 5 tackles, 2 pass deflect
Hayden (LOLB #56) 4 tackles
Price (LE #90) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
K Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Geigel (FS #23) 1 INT, 1 pass deflect

NOTES: Next up, our seasonal meeting against Notre Dame. Koch should be healthy enough to start ... but will I want to? Root has gone 2-1 in the last three games. It is her senior year, after all.

Season 3, Game 3:vs. U of Illinois (Homecoming)

2005-10-14T09:00:00.001-07:00

University of Illinois (1-1, #42) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (1-1, #83)

Homecoming. The pageantry. The tailgates. The tofu pups and "not dogs." All we need is a win.

During practice, Root (QB #5) practiced timing patterns with our top recruit, Morgan (QB #88). Senior to freshman. As I watched from the sidelines, I was impressed with these two people at different ends of their careers matching each other's intensity. This would be Root and Morgan's first start at home.

On our first possession, Root played calmly and converted third down after third down before connecting on a 34-yard touchdown throw to Morgan. After a Straka (CB #1) interception, the two would connect again, this time for 21 yards. It was 14-0 just like that.

Our defense got burned on a long run, but we re-grouped after that. We actually scored on our first four possessions. Morgan's TD catches were followed by a Wetzel (HB #47) run and a Chi (K #40) field goal. 24-7 at the half.

The Fightin' Illini gave it a fight in the second half, but we matched their scores. B. Foldy (FB #29), with his younger sister E. Foldy (red-shirted SS #24) leading the cheers from the sideline, powered in two scores. We ran well throughout the game. Even backup half-back (and K. Anderson's (SS #26) sister), M. Anderson (HB #12), got a couple of a touches. We hogged the ball and kept their offense off the field for all but 9 minutes and 51 seconds.

With the convincing win, we are now 1-2 on homecoming games.

STATS: ILL - MKE

score: 20-41
first downs: 11-27
total offense: 295-450
rushes - yards: 16-113 --- 44-195
comp-att-TD: 12-24-2 --- 17-33-2
passing yards: 182-255
sacked: 1-1
turnovers: 3-0
fumbles - lost: 0-0 --- 1-0
intercepted: 3-0
top: 9:51 - 22:09

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 136.4 rating, 17-33 for 255 yards, 2 TD; 8-37 rush (4.6 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 29-116 rush (4 avg), 1 TD
B Foldy (FB #29) 5-23 rush (4.5 avg), 2 TD
Morgan (WR #88) 3-65 (21.6 avg), 2 TD
Buccheri (RG #59) 10 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Conti (MLB #72) 4 tackles
Hayden (LOLB #56) 2 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Straka (CB #1) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
Bennett (CB #10) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect

NOTES: The athletic director of Milwaukee College was so enthusiastic at our first homecoming win that he let it slip that all the upper-ups were talking about a "contract extension" for me at the end of the year. I pshawed and quickly changed the subject. I know how quickly fortunes can change. First things first. Up next: Buffalo.

Season 3, Game 2:@ Kansas State

2005-10-11T20:13:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (1-0, #82) vs. Kansas State Wildcats (1-0, #13)

I had said in my pre-season thoughts that this would be our first major test. We traveled overnight to Manhattan, Kansas and practiced in the palatial KSU Stadium. Nuts. The U-shaped stadium felt like it could hold over 50,000 people.

And it sounded much more than that on game day. Yikes. Somehow, the game garnered the attention of the regional television team. The cameras, the announcers, and really, the crowd, all worked against us. On top of that, our starting QB, M. Koch (QB #22) was out with a pinched nerve.

Remarkably, back-up quarterback Root (QB #5) wasn't cowed by any of the above-mentioned factors. This was her first start of her career! After the Wildcats scored easily on their first possession, the defensive squads traded three-and-outs. Then Root marched the Penguins down the field in a masterful scoring drive, capped by Wetzel's (HB #47) first running score of the season.

Tied going into the half. But it should've been much more. We couldn't capitalize on K Anderson's (SS #26) or Bennett's (CB #10) interceptions. Root also threw an interception. I hate those interceptions right at the goal line.

Kansas State made some big adjustments and came out and scored TDs on their first two possessions. Quickly, it was 21-7. We pressed but we could only come up with a field-goal from Chi (K #40). I went for it a couple of times and fourth-and-short but failed each time. Root was frustrated out there - despite the score this was a winnable game. I made some bad calls, putting our defense up against the wall, but our receivers also made 6 drops. 6 drops.

First major test: failed.

STATS: MKE- KSU

score: 38-10
first downs: 17-17
total offense: 302-499
rushes - yards: 33-104 --- 27-149
comp-att-TD: 15-38-0 --- 14-23-4
passing yards: 198-350
sacked: 1-0
turnovers: 1-3
fumbles - lost: 1-0 --- 0-0
intercepted: 1-3
top: 18:11 -- 13:45

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 78.0 rating, 15-38 for 198 yards, 1 INT; 10-26 rush (2.5 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 22-73 rush (3.3 avg), 1 TD
Morgan (WR #88) 4-64 yards (16 avg)
Franklin (WR #81) 3-50 yards (16.6 avg)
Bogner (LT #52) 6 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Conti (MLB #72) 8 tackles (2 for loss)
Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Bennett (CB #10) 4 tackles, 1 INT
Germain (DT #91) 3 tackles
Price (LE #90) 3 tackles

NOTES: Our next game is homecoming. We face the Fightin' Illini. Hope to see all of Milwaukee there.

Season 3, Game 1:@ Eastern Michigan

2005-10-09T15:00:00.000-07:00

M. Koch (QB #22) - Injured!

Milwaukee College Penguins (0-0, #89) vs. Eastern Michigan University (0-0, #110)

Windy and rainy here in Ypsilanti, Michigan. Despite our 0-1 record in the rain, our players - and myself - were optimistic about today's game. We were psyched. We were fielding three 1st team All-Americans (Buccheri (RG #59), Leplae (LG #69), and Straka (CB #1)) and one 2nd team All-American (Bogner (RT #52)). Also, we were introducing several highly touted recruits: my brother, R. Umali (CB #73) comes off his red-shirted year to join the secondary; top recruits Morgan (WR #88) and Franklin (WR #81) join their old teacher Mr. Finner (WR #83) in the wide-receiver corps. I expect lots of synergy there.

The first play of the game. The Eastern Michigan Eagles kick-off and Straka promptly returns it 91 yards for the touchdown. It's the Penguins' first kick-off returned for a touchdown. That's the first play of the season?! This bodes well.

Our first defensive play of the game. Hayden (LOLB #56) blitzes in for the sack. Two plays later, Geigel (SS #23), making her first start (replacing E. Ziegeweid who graduated), makes our first interception of the season. On our ensuing drive, Koch (QB #22) displayed his agility and ran it in. 14-0, lickety-split.

K. Miller (RE #62) recovered a fumble; Straka got an interception. By the end of the first half, we were up 31-3, largely due to 21 points off of turnovers.

But despite our blow-out, we suffered a big loss. M. Koch got injured late in the game and had to be helped off the field. The team doctors say he is out 3-4 weeks. In comes plucky back-up quarterback, Root (QB #5). She gamely led our charges to our only touchdown in the second half, completing 6 of 8 passes for 93 yards. It's her senior year; she'll be starting her first game against highly-ranked Kansas State.

STATS: MKE- EMU

score: 47-3
first downs: 20 - 8
total offense: 391-177
rushes - yards: 32-206 --- 33-26
comp-att-TD: 13-27-2 --- 9-28-0
passing yards: 185 - 151
sacked: 3 - 4
turnovers: 4 - 7
fumbles - lost: 6 - 3 --- 4 - 3
intercepted: 1 - 4
top: 16:16 -- 15:44

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 213.9 rating, 6-8 for 93 yards, 1 TD
Koch (QB #22) 84.4 rating, 7-19 for 92 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 8-41 rush (5.1 avg), 1 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 22-138 rush (6.2 avg); 2-36 rec (18 avg)
Morgan (WR #88) 4-59 yards (14.7 avg), 1 TD
Leplae (LG #69) 6 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Umali (CB #73) 7 tackles (1 for loss) 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass deflect
Straka (CB #1) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect; 1 kick return, 91 yards, TD
Hayden (LOLB #56) 3 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recover
Conti (MLB #72) 5 tackles (3 for loss)
Bushell (MBL #42) 6 tackles (1 for loss), 1 forced fumble

NOTES: Our defense hasn't given up a touchdown in two straight games. Freshman kicker R. Chi (#40), under winds gusting at about 25-26 mph, went 4-5 in field goals.

Season 3: Pre-Season Thoughts

2005-10-08T15:08:00.000-07:00

My superiors in the Milwaukee College Athletic Department have made me aware that this is the season. My contract only runs through three seasons. While I've increased the visibility of the school and its attendant prestige, I still haven't posted a winning season nor seriously been considered by any of the multitude of bowls. A winning season is a must for this season if I'm to have any chance of retaining my job. The bowl bid will natural follow.

Look for Game 2 versus Kansas State as an early test. It's actually our only Pre-Season Top 25 match-up on the schedule. Notre Dame, whom we meet in Game 6, is ranked at 29 before the season's start. The schedule's difficulty is ranked at three stars. Our opponent's average pre-season rating is 66.

I'm excited for our season. Our defense only gets better with the addition of my brother, R. Umali (CB #73), at cornerback. Our top top recruits this season, both wide receivers, give us the much-needed speed at that position. Maybe this is the season that an actual wide receiver will lead my team in receptions; for the past two seasons, it's been Wetzel (HB #47).

Season 2's Graduating Seniors (continued)

2005-10-06T08:50:00.000-07:00

All hail the graduating seniors from the defensive squad and special teams.

N. Frank (RE #48). Practice squad RE, special-teamer and back-up to starter K. Miller (RE #62). 4 tackles, 1 forced fumble. Being on the Penguins afforded him the time to maintain the Nicholas Frank Public Library as well as attend Milwaukee College on scholarship.

R. Umali (ROLB #50). 45 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered, 9 pass deflects. My dad, as well as my mom, leaves the team and heads immediately to semi-retirement.

V. Valiant (ROLB #54). 18 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 3 pass deflects. My dad's back-up saw some quality play time due to my dad's injuries. At the other end of life's arc from my dad, Valiant should now be in junior high.

S. Umali (MLB #43). 55 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 pass deflect. My mom led the team in tackles with 38 during Season 1. She split MLB duties with V. Bushell (MLB #42) during Season 2. She one-ups my dad by graduating into full-retirement.

D. Smith (CB #21). 22 tackles, 1 sack, 1 pass deflect. 4th on the corner back depth-chart, D. Smith was dependable off the bench. He stays in the field of education.

E. Ziegeweid (FS #34). 64 tackles, 10 INT, 1 forced fumble, 1 fumble recovered, 21 pass deflects. Ziegeweid led the team in INT in the first season. His risky strategy of mostly going for the INT instead of just playing it safe and going for the deflect remains a core tenet of our secondary.

A. Melchior (SS #24). Back-up to K. Anderson (SS #26), she talled 17 tackles in a couple of years. She leaves the team to assume a full-time managerial position in an arts organization.

S. Goodman (K# 30). 26-33 (78%) field-goals, longest: 45-yards. 76-76 extra-points. Perfect field-goal kicker (14 for 14) in his senior year, Goodman, a philosophy major, leaves school to work at a local law firm.

Season 2's Graduating Seniors

2005-10-05T22:50:00.000-07:00

The Milwaukee College Penguins are losing 16 players to graduation! Join me in recognizing their accomplishments and wishing them well in their future careers. This post contains the career totals of the 8 seniors who played on the offensive squad.

S. Barber (HB #11): 83-346 yards (4.2 avg), 3 TDs; 17-168 rec (9.9 avg), 2 TDs. Holds the record for longest run from scrimmage (44 yards). Already a commuter student, Milwaukee has a better chance of seeing her artworks than of seeing her.

B. Ciraldo (FB #25): 110-428 yards (3.9 avg), 5 TDs (24 long); 5-84 rec (16.8 avg). I'm told he's working for a local film production company.

E. Gerber (FB #21): 21 tackles. Steady player on special teams. He goes on to continue his film studies.

E. Beaumont (WR #81): 45-569 rec (12.6 avg), 4 TD; 15 pancakes. He moves on to an interesting job: the librarian at the County Jail.

J. Montgomery (WR #15): 38-605 rec (15.9 avg), 8 TD; 3-19 rush (6.3 avg), 1 TD. A favorite target for quarterback M. Koch (QB #22), Montgomery surprised all by coming back from a broken ribs suffered on the last game of Season 1. She leaves Milwaukee to teach at a university in Chicago.

C. Khalafian (CK #80): 68-879 rec (12.9 avg); 5 TD. By far the furthest commuter student. Living in LA and working a film editor, she made each game and proved her reliability on the field, finishing second only to Wetzel (HB #47) in receptions.

R. Nordstrom (LT #68): 1 kick return, 16 yards. Special-teamer whose only stat is a crazed kick-return. She assumes a job teaching our city's future.

C. Vee (C #63): 59 panackes, 4 sacks allowed. I'm told, through an unverified source, that she's going to continue her time here in Milwaukee, but that's all I know.

Season 2 Lauds

2005-10-02T17:57:00.000-07:00

Where would our running game be without our dominating front line, anchored by the voracious S. Buccheri (LG #59). Tallying something like 75 or so pancake blocks this season, she was the shoo-in to repeat as Lineman Of the Year. Congratulations!

She also made 1st Team All-American, along with fellow guard, X. Leplae (RG #69). What a duo.

Straka (CB #10) made the Freshmen All-American team, finishing the season with 8 interceptions. Our 39 takeaways (25 interceptions and 14 fumble recoveries) was tops in the league!

Good job!

Towards the Off-Season

2005-10-02T12:39:00.000-07:00

The "strength" of our schedule was probably the determining factor in us not getting invited to a bowl. I can't say I'm surprised ... we did our best just to post a .500 season. Next year, we'll be in a bowl. My contract sort of stipulates that. Even though my job safety is rated as a "B", I am not taking anything for granted.

My recruitment efforts have started in earnest.

For the National Championship, it's #1 Oklahoma versus #5 UCLA in the Orange Bowl.

Season 2, Game 12: vs University of Akron Zips

2005-09-30T11:35:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (5-6, #95) vs. University of Akron Zips (3-8, #107)

Ohio comes to the Rolling Mills, our home stadium here in the great city of Milwaukee, WI. Rolling Mills is a the cite of a major labor "incident" the predates Haymarket. You can read about it on the internet. Do a search.

I got to thinking about ghosts and when people think about ghosts they often think about them haunting someplace or someone. Does our 1-4 home record this year (as well as our 1-5 record at home last year) mean something about our stadium? Should we move? I know our unusual "stadium" arrangement seats only about 20,000 but lately we've only been getting about 3,700 fans to show up for the games.

At any rate, the majority of the faithful showed up to watch what could possibly the last game for about a fifth of the team! Win or loss, the fans were here to salute the kids that provided the City with Division 1A football at a time when the City really needed it.

The Penguins did not disappoint. Our senior kicker, Goodman (K #30) booted three field goals to finish the season perfect, not missing any of the 14 field goals he attempted. Our defense overpowered the Zips. Our junior left outside line backer, Hayden (LOLB #56), scored our team's first safety, tackling the Zips' halfback in their own end zone. Hayden really stepped up her fantastic play this year; I'm glad she's returning. Our secondary made a bid to lead the league in interceptions. Junior corner back, Bennett (CB #10), tied a team record with three interceptions to finish the season with 7. She'll be back next year, too.

The final score was 25-3. It's the first time we prevented our opponents from scoring a touchdown.

Our two touchdowns were scored by freshman quarterback Koch (QB #22), not through the air, but on quarterback keepers. He finished with 65 yards rushing, compared to 85 yards passing. Junior running back, Wetzel (HB #47) rushed again for over 100 yards and Buccheri (RG #59) and Leplae (LG #69) had 7 pancakes each, affirming their selections as first team All-Americans. For Buccheri, she's gunning for her second Offensive Lineman of the Year Award. I hope she gets it.

We finish the season 6-6. Some teams get invited to bowls with a 6-6 record. I know we are a long-shot for any kind of invitation but "stranger things have happened." I'll keep you posted.

STATS: AKR - MSE

score: 3 - 25
first downs: 7 - 16
total offense: 245 - 298
rushes - yards: 26 - 130 --- 46 - 213
comp-att-TD: 6-18-0 --- 8-25-0
passing yards: 115 - 85
sacked: 2 - 3
turnovers: 3 - 1
fumbles - lost: 0 - 0 --- 1 - 0
intercepted: 3 - 1
top: 12:27 -- 19:33

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 52.6 rating, 8-25 for 85 yards, 1 INT; 14-65 rush (4.6 avg), 2 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 27-130 rush (4.8 avg); 1-20 rec
Finner (WR #83) 3-28 (9.3 avg)
X Leplae (LG #69) 7 pancakes
Buccheri (RG #59) 7 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

McClone (CB #46) 4 tackles (3 for loss), 2 sacks
Bennett (CB #10) 1 tackle, 3 INT
Straka (CB #1) 4 tackles
Hayden (LOLB #56) 1 tackle (1 for loss), safety
Mikulay (LE #45) 4 tackles

Academic Ineligibility

2005-09-28T11:38:00.000-07:00

I am not just the coach over at Milwaukee College, I also teach an arts class.

This may come as a surprise to those of you who know other Division 1A football coaches. Coaching is a full-time job, what with recruiting, reviewing tape, preparing for next week's game, fending off the corporate sponsorship. But here in Milwaukee, I devote a significant amount of my time teaching the arts.

And today I had to hand out several failing grades. I emerged from class feeling strange. I ran into a fellow instructor and I said that I couldn't help feel like their failing grades was a reflection of my own instruction. This is much the same way when I hear comments about how my team's 5-6 record is a reflection of my coaching, one assumption being that another coach could extract perhaps several more wins (or losses) from the same team.

My colleague said that it was a natural response, to question one's abilities as an instructor when a student comes up incredibly wanting.

...

We return to the friendly but unlucky confines of Rolling Mills to face The University of Akron Zips of the Mid-American Conference. We have a chance to finish the season at 6-6. That's step two in building a national championship.

Season 2, Game 11: at Youngstown State

2005-09-27T22:02:00.000-07:00

Youngstown State Penguins (0-0, --) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (4-6, #105)

Battle of the Penguins. The Milwaukee College Penguins (2004 edition) have a short history. We've only been around for two seasons. Prior to us, Youngstown State University used to be the only Division I University in the country with a Penguin for a mascot. (Yes, I know that ours is a dog dressed up as a penguin.) They've been around as the Penguins since as far back as 1933.

And since 1982 they've played in the Arnold D. Stambaugh Stadium, otherwise known as the "Ice Castle." It's called the "Ice Castle" not so much because they house the Penguins, but because the stadium has not been a welcome place for opponents. They've won well over 75% of their home games in the last twenty or so seasons.

Meanwhile, my Penguins have only one once at home in my two year tenure. So I guess it is a good thing this was a road game. We enter the Ice Castle with a 4-1 away record.

And I enter the Ice Castle with a bit of a cold.

Players persist on the field, injuries and all. Coaches do the same thing. I had met up with a bunch of recruits earlier in the week and one of them, a swimmer - I could still smell the faint chemical scent of chlorine on her - was sniffling throughout the whole meeting. I bet I got some kind of bug from her.

So with me hacking up gobs of mucus and unable to properly yell, the rallying cry was the typical and hated: "Win one for the gipper." But in the first half, it was as if every member of the Milwaukee College Penguins was also sick and tired. That's the only reason we went into the half tied at 28 a piece. This was supposed to be a "gimme game." The Youngstown Penguins play in the freakin' Gateway Football Conference. In the locker room, I gave them as much as my poor throat could handle. I threatened to move Straka (CB #1) to the top of the depth chart, because Bennett (CB #10) was getting consistently burned.

It was a good thing I didn't make that move because the Youngstown Penguins started throwing in Straka's direction. The young freshman had a monster third quarter - hell, a monster five minutes! In that span, he had two interceptions, returning one for a touchdown. He also recovered a fumble and returned THAT for a touchdown. The close game at the half turned into a rout a bare five minutes after the half.

I got out my folding chair and coached by hand signals. I took it easy. When we were over 60 points I put in the B squad and fired up the vegan grill. I have the best vegans on my team (Germain (DT #91), McClone (CB #46), and Straka (CB #10)) and they are all starters. Vegan pesto anybody?

STATS: MKE @ YSU

score: 77-42
first downs: 32-17
total offense: 610-647
rushes - yards: 50-345 --- 16-110
comp-att-TD: 16-32-2 --- 21-38-5
passing yards: 265-537
sacked: 0 - 2
turnovers: 1 - 6
fumbles - lost: 1 - 0 --- 2 - 2
intercepted: 1 - 4
top: 19:40 - 12:20

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 151.7 rating, 14-26 for 248 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT; 14-103 rush (7.3 avg), 2 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 26-160 rush (6.1 avg), 2 TD
Barber (HB #11) 5-53 (10.5 avg), 1 TD
Montgomery (WR #15) 6-106 rec (17.6 avg), 1 TD
Finner (WR #83) 4-76 avg (19.0 avg)

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 2 tackles, 3 INT, 1 pass deflect, 2 fumble recoveries, 2 defensive TD
Geigel (FS #23) 4 tackles
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 4 tackles, 2 pass deflect
Cruz (LE #98) 3 tackles, 1 for loss
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect, 1 forced fumble

NOTES: We literally ran over the opposition. Foldy (FB #29) and Ciraldo (FB #25) both scored rushing TDs. Koch has really kept the mistakes to a minimum. He's really learned how to hold onto the ball and for that I publicly applaud him. I want my pocket quarterbacks to run and cause havoc. There's nothing like sending five receivers down the field, taking the defense with them, and then having your front line pancake the pass rush and then seeing Koch run for the first down.

Season 2, Game 10: vs Notre Dame

2005-09-24T20:10:00.000-07:00

Notre Dame Fightin' Irish (3-5, #50) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (4-5, #93)

The Fightin' Irish are having a difficult season under coach Ty. I feel bad for the guy. He tries to recruit what he calls the "Notre Dame Gentleman" and a losing record is what he gets. I'm sure he's getting an earful of it back in Indiana.

I wanted to give them more fodder but Notre Dame was just too fast. I felt that we were too cowed by their presence. Yes, this is an annual rivalry. We measure ourselves against the best Division 1A Independent College. Last year we lost by a whopping 42 points. This year, after falling behind by 21 at the half, we limited our losses to 18 points.

We limited them to only 14 yards rushing in 19 attempts, while we had almost 200 yards on the ground. Our defense leads the league against the run. Alternatively, they had 409 yards and 5 touchdowns through the air while we just managed 127 yards passing. As I look to recruiting next year, I'm thinking: speed up our secondary, get some quicker outside line backers.

STATS: ND vs MKE

score: 38-20
first downs: 13-21
total offense: 423-319
rushes - yards: 19-14 --- 46-192
comp-att-TD: 16-27-5 --- 13--30-0
passing yards: 409 - 127
sacked: 3-2
turnovers: 1-1
fumbles - lost: 0 - 0 --- 2 - 1
intercepted: 1 - 0
top: 11:24 - 20:36

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 78.9 rating, 13-30 for 127 yards; 12-66 rushing (5.5 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47) 25-78 rush (3.1 avg), 2 TD; 4-17 rec (4.2 avg)
Ciraldo (FB #25) 5-38 rush (7.5 avg)
Khalafian (TE #80) 3-30 rec (10.0 avg)
Love (#70 RT) 8 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Valiant (LOLB #54) 7 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Mikulay (LE #45) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Hayden (LOLB #56) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles, 1 INT
Gerber (FB #21) 3 tackles

Season 2, Game 9: vs University of Houston

2005-09-19T20:49:00.000-07:00

University of Houston Cougars (3-4, #87) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (4-4, #73)

As a courtesy to one of my best friends in college that I just recently started speaking to again thanks to instant messenging, I put Houston on the schedule. Houston's a weird city, one I remember for the beautiful young girls and boys at weddings. It's also a city with a whole slew of Taco Cabanas, kind of like a Taco Bell but actually good.

As for their college football team, the Cougars: Who knew that they had recruited one of the fastest wide receivers in the draft? Now their very capable quarterback has an excellent target. I fought this kind of game before, throwing a double-man coverage on the star receiver.

It didn't work entirely this time. They scored touchdowns in their first FOUR possessions. A slugfest.
Luckily, Koch (QB #22) and company took up the gauntlet so that by half-time, we were only down by eleven. Each quarterback was on his way to over 300 yards passing.

Second-half adjustments. Throw more dime coverage, lull them into trying to run against us. We exchange stalled drives before we scored on Koch's third touchdown pass. This time it was to senior tight end Khalafian (TE #81), making the score 35-31 in their favor.

Our defense scored another a three-and-out and Koch was leading the Penguins to their first lead, to their first time over .500. Gunning for Sieczek (TE #86), he forces the throw and gets intercepted. This was in the fourth quarter. Will we ever win another game at our beloved Rolling Mills playing field?

My mom (MLB #43) did everything she could to achieve that end, forcing a fumble on the Cougars' next possession. The newly-dyed Germain (DT #91) flops on the ball and here we go again. Some long throws and poof ...

But we couldn't do it. I mis-managed the clock. I made some dumb play calls. The buck stops here. It's my fault.

STATS: HOU @ MKE

score: 35-31
first downs: 17-23
total offense: 451-439
rushes - yards: 20-84 --- 33-119
comp-att-TD: 18-30-4 --- 20-38-3
passing yards: 367-315
sacked: 2 - 4
turnovers: 2 - 1
fumbles - lost: 1 - 1 --- 0 - 0
intercepted: 1 - 1
top: 13:46 - 18:14

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 143.1 rating, 20-38 for 315 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 24-124 rush (5.1 avg), 1 TD; 5-34 rec (10.7 avg), 2 TD
Khalafian (TE #80) 8-136 rec (17.0 avg), 1 TD
Columbus (WR #82) 3-49 rec (16.3 avg)
Bogner (LT #52) 9 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

McClone (CB #46) 5 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 4 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Bennett (CB #10) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
K Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles, 1 INT

Note: I lost my dad (LOLB #50) to an injury. They say he's out for three weeks. Yikes. I remember a time a couple of years ago. Dad had just driven me, my brother (the red-shirted corner back - how I wish I hadn't red-shirted him this year), and my mom from my oldest brother's place near Boston. It was Thanksgiving weekend. The 5-hour drive seemed to take its toll on him and when we got home, he felt unusually cold. On top of that, except for my mom we all got food poisoning. It was such that somewhere around 3 AM, mom wanted to take dad to the hospital. Mom doesn't drive so she had to get me or my brother to do it. My brother felt quesy so he couldn't do it. I got myself out of bed, feeling sick as well, and staggered out into the dark upstairs hallway. Then I passed out. When I woke up soon after, I decided to give up the ghost and puke. "Get rid of the poisons." (I hate it when my players exert themselves such that they have to puke.) Anyway, my mom decided to call the ambulance. Everything's alright now. Dad plays his heart out. So does mom. And next year, I'm betting my brother will, too.

Season 2, Game 8: @ University of Connecticut

2005-09-14T22:17:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (3-4, #93) vs University of Connecticut Huskies (5-2, #47)

University of Connecticut. My first girlfriend was from Connecticut. Even though college football wasn't her "thing", this one's for you! Maybe she does a google search on her old beau? Maybe she found out that I "made it." That I "got the call." That I'm the head coach of a NCAA Division 1 College Football Team, one of only two in the great state of Wisconsin.

That I, and my team, stuck to the game plan never led in our game against the over-achieving Huskies. That I, perhaps unlike how I was in my youth, was able to make half-time adjustments that actually worked to perfection, almost shutting out our opponents while we scored three unanswered touchdowns and our defense caused four fumbles, and recovered them all.

Kind of reminds me of all the times we broke up with each other.

What about that beautiful touchdown pass from Koch (QB #22) to Columbus (WR #82) in the waning seconds of a game already decided? That was me directing them to run up the score, in honor, and in spite, of us.

Yo!

STATS: MKE @ U Conn

score: 38-17
first downs: 15-15
total offense: 334-467
rushes - yards: 31-101 --- 21-60
comp-att-TD: 18-28-3 --- 20-37-1
passing yards: 233-407
sacked: 2 - 3
turnovers: 2 - 6
fumbles - lost: 2 - 1 --- 4 - 4
intercepted: 1 - 2
top: 17:02 - 14:58

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22)162.14 rating, 18-28 for 233 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 25-93 rushing (3.7 avg), 2 TD; 1-9 rec
Finner (WR #83) 5-85 rec (17.0 avg)
Columbus (WR #82) 3-47 rec (15.6 avg), 1 TD
Buccheri (LG #59) 4 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Bennett (CB #10) 9 tackles, 1 pass deflect, 2 forced fumbles
Straka (CB #1) 7 tackles, 1 pass deflect, 1 forced fumble
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 6 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Hayden (LOLB #56) 6 tackles (3 for loss), 3 sacks, 1 pass deflect, 1 fumble recover
Gerber (FB #21) 5 tackles

Note: Hayden's incredible defensive performance - 3 sacks, pure havoc - earned her Player of the Week Honors amongst the independent Division 1 schools. Also, Gerber, playing out his Senior year, makes the "Key Players" for the first time for his excellent work on special teams. That kid rocks.

Season 2, Game 7: @ University of Wyoming

2005-09-11T21:22:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (2-4, #97) vs University of Wyoming Cowboys (0-5, #106)

Finally. Tired of their reliance on our defense for scoring points, our offense came alive. Koch (QB #22) played it safe and had a solid - if unremarkable - game. He went 16-31 for 243 yards with 3 touchdown passes and, "what's more importantly", no interceptions.

Our defense only made off with one turnover, an interception by free safety Zieigeweid (FS #34) in the waning moments of the game.

A wholly ho-hum notch in the victory column. No big deal. I mean, damn.

STATS: MKE @ WYO

score: 38-21
first downs: 22-14
total offense: 462-407
rushes - yards: 37 - 219 --- 19 - 59
comp-att-TD: 16-31-3--- 15-33-2
passing yards: 243-348
sacked: 1 - 1
turnovers: 1 - 1
fumbles - lost: 1 - 1 --- 2 - 0
intercepted: 0 - 1

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22)149.4 rating 16-31 for 243 yards, 3 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 35-148 rush (5.9 avg), 2 TD
Montgomery (WR #15) 4-107 yards rec (26.7 avg), 2 TD
X. Leplae (RG #69) 7 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 5 tackles
K Anderson (SS #26) 4 tackles (2 for loss)
Bushell (MLB #42) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect

Note: No notes. Who wants notes? You got the facts. Koch posted his best game since the season opener. But yeah, it's no biggie. And Wetzel rushed for nearly 150 yards. When was the last time he did that? Gosh, I don't know. And X Leplae packing in 7 pancakes puts him and Buccheri atop the NCAA in pancakes. First team All-American. Indeed. Just don't get freakin' injured.

Season 2, Game 6: vs University of New Mexico

2005-09-10T10:43:00.000-07:00

Loeb (DT #60)
Defensive Tackle returns a fumble for a touchdown.

University of New Mexico (0-5, #115) vs. Milwaukee College Penguins (2-3, #69)

As Milli Vanilla said, "Blame it on the rain." Blame it on the expected let-down after a remarkable upset, blame it on underestimating our previously winless opponents, the University of New Mexico Lobos. (Lobos is the Spanish word for wolf.)

You can blame our incredible loss on our offense's continued reliance on our defensive squad's ability to score touchdowns. It's really quite remarkable. For the third straight game, our defense squad scored a touchdown. This time, it was defensive tackle Loeb (DT #60) picking up a loose football - jarred loose by a Hayden (LOLB #56) sack - and rumbling 50-some yards for the score.

Our defense caused five turnovers, but our offense could only muster seven points from one of them. Meanwhile, the turnover bug, and the wet conditions and slippery field, finally caught up to us. Or rather, it caught up to our starting quarterback, Koch (QB #22). Five turnovers weigh on his head tonight; four through the air and one from one of his three fumbles. I like how Koch, essentially a passer in the pocket QB, scrambles ... I'm still going to give him the green light - a few of his scrambles extended drives - I'm just not going to do it in the rain.

STATS: UNM @ MKE

score: 49-20
first downs: 17-17
total offense: 484-297
rushes - yards: 18-130 --- 33-107
comp-att-TD: 18-30-5--- 16-43-0
passing yards: 354-190
sacked: 3 - 2
turnovers: 5 - 5
fumbles - lost: 4-3 --- 3-1
intercepted: 2 - 4
t.o.p: 10:54 - 21:06

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 55.7 rating 16-43 for 190 yards, 4 INT; 10-28 rush (2.7 avg), 3 fumbles
Wetzel (HB #47)20-59 rush (2.9 avg), 1 TD; 4-31 yards rec (7.7 avg)
Montgomery (WR #15) 4-80 yards rec (20.0 avg)
Buccheri (LG #59) 10 pancakes
X. Leplae (RG #69) 9 pancakes, 1 sack

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Loeb (DT #60) 3 tackles, 1 forced fumble, 2 fumble recoveries, 1 TD
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 5 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Straka (CB #1) 4 tackles, 2 INT; 5-85 kick return yards (17.0 avg); 2-27 punt return yards (13.5 avg)
R. Umali (ROLB #50) 3 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Hayden (LOLB #56) 2 tackles (2 for loss), 2 sacks, 2 pass deflects

Notes: Buccheri (LG #59) is in full-stride and now leads the league with 41 pancakes.

Season 2, Game 5: @ U of Louisville

2005-09-03T16:50:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (1-3, #96) vs University of Louisville Cardinals (3-0, #24)

We came into Papa John's Cardinal Stadium - don't you just hate corporate sponsorship? - to face a team that has won it's first three games of the season. They just broke the AP Top 25.

We, standing at 1-3, were tremendous underdogs, and the stadium was filled with ravenous - and loud - football freaks. In states where there is no pro football team, all the attention goes to their college programs. Having a team in the Top 25 is no small feat.

Staying up there - and maybe eventually winning a conference or even national championship - requires a bit of luck, no matter how good you are. They're first TD came off a lucky break. K. Anderson (SS #26) tipped a thrown ball ... right into the hands of the intended receiver, who then ran it in for the touchdown.

After a couple of 3-and-outs on our offense's part - our first quarter performance this season is truly pathetic - and soon it became 14-0. What was disturbing was that the Cardinals actually called the run against us. Remarkably, our defense leads the league against the run, but that's largely because offensive coordinators know that throwing down field against us is actually a high-percentage play.

In the 2nd quarter, I started calling a lot of double tight-end sets. In our first touch-down drive, we coverted a fourth-and-1 and Koch (QB #22) ran to convert a third-and-5. It was capped by a pass to Wetzel (HB #47).

But the play of the half came courtesy of our secondary. The Cardinals were driving and with less than a minute left to go in the half, on the 14 yard-line and facing fourth-and-inches, instead of going for the sure field goal to make it 17-7, they decide to go for it. Something in me decides to call a nickel defense to stack up against their goal-line offense. When their tight end springs to the sidelines, Bennett shifts over and lo! the pass was in her hands. Interception. She deked their quarterback with a nifty spin move and then raced 91 yards for our second interception returned for a TD in as many games.

14-14 going into the half.

They struck first in the second half, capitalizing on our second turnover of the game (a Wetzel fumble). After a Goodman (K #30) field goal to make it 21-17, it was our turn to get a turnover. K. Anderson (SS #26) recovered a fumble deep in their territory, setting up a short touchdown drive - featuring what I think is Foldy's (FB #29) first reception of the year - to take a lead at the beginning of the 4th quarter.

They score on their next drive - 5 consecutive running plays and then a long touchdown pass. 28-24.

Then came the critical drive of the game. 14 yard-line, fourth-and-3. Well within Goodman's field goal range. But a field goal would still leave us down one point, with less than four minutes left to play. Koch tried to draw them off-sides, but they didn't bite. From my new favorite formation (Shotgun - Ace), Wetzel ran a route to the end zone and drew their middle line-backer on defense ... and Koch threw it to him. An over-the-should catch by Wetzel gives us back the lead!

It was a lead our defense wouldn't relinquish. A critical three-and-out, then several first downs by our offense and we became Louisville's first blemish of the season. Incredible.

STATS: MKE @ LOUISVILLE

score: 34-28
first downs: 16-12
total offense: 252-314
rushes - yards: 27-85 --- 26-106
comp-att-TD: 18-35-3 --- 10-20-4
passing yards: 167-208
sacked: 1 - 1
turnovers: 2 - 2
fumbles - lost: 1 - 1--- 3 - 1
intercepted: 1 - 1
t.o.p: 18:37 -- 13:23

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 114.1 rating 18-35 for 167 yards, 3 TD, 1 INT; 5-11 rush (2.1 avg)
Wetzel (HB #47)19-63 rush (3.3 avg), 1 fumble; 7-68 yards rec (9.7 avg), 2 TD
Montgomery (WR #82) 3-22 yards rec (7.3 avg)
Sieczek (TE #86) 2-13 yards rec (6.5 avg), 1 TD
X. Leplae (LG #69) 2 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 6 tackles, 2 INT; 3-74 kick return yards (24.6 avg); 3-67 punt return yards (22.3 avg)
Bennett (CB #10) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 TD; 2-36 kick return yards (18 avg)
S. Umali (MLB #43) 5 tackles
K. Anderson (SS #26) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 pass deflect, 1 fumble recovery
Miller (RE #62) 3 tackles (3 for loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble

Notes: Ciraldo (FB) left the game in the 3rd quarter with a strained pectoral. He is questionable for the next game.

Season 2, Game 4: @ Vanderbilt

2005-09-02T21:24:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (#116) vs Vanderbilt Commodores (#63)

Nashville, TN. It's good to get away from the oven that is Milwaukee, WI. I had a feeling that here in the near South, we'd play more relaxed. I was hoping this especially for Koch (QB #22), who would start this game. His great start three games ago was also an away game.

But when something's wrong with your head - and that's where the quarterback game is played - a change of venue isn't going to solve the problem. Our offense only managed 100 yards, and a field goal, in the first half.

It was our defense which showed us the way. Junior strong safety, K. Anderson (SS #26) continued her marvelous play to start the season. With less than 40 seconds to go in the half, she makes a shoe-string interception on their 36 yard line and then rushes it back for the touchdown to cut their deficit to 4 points at
the half.

This kind of lit a fire, albeit slight, under our offense. After a three-and-out by our defense, and another good punt return by Straka which placed us on our 42 yard line, Koch and company came out drove the ball 58 yards for the score. 42 of those yards came on a long catch and run by Columbus (WR #82).

K. Anderson (SS #25) leaps
up for her second INT of the game.

Us taking the lead in the middle of the game? Was this just another setup for a last-minute loss?

I recognized the success of our gambling secondary and called plenty of dime coverage for the rest of the game. Straka finished with two interceptions for the game, as did Anderson. Her second interception was a leaping grab in their endzone, snuffing out their strongest drive of the half.

Koch ices it with a 17-yard touchdown pass to Montgomery.

STATS: MKE @ VANDY

score: 24-14
first downs: 17-16
total offense: 263-304
rushes - yards: 32-81 --- 19-34
comp-att-TD: 15-37-1 --- 15-40-2
passing yards: 182-270
sacked: 2 - 4
turnovers: 2 - 5
fumbles - lost: 1-1 --- 0-0
intercepted: 1 - 5
t.o.p: 18:39 -- 13:21

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 87.7 rating 15-36 for 182 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 23-87 rush (3.7 avg) 1 TD; 4-25 yards rec
Columbus (WR #82) 3-62 yards rec
Khalafian (TE #81) 4-58 yards rec
S. Buccheri (RG #59) 6 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

K. Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles, 2 INT,1 TD, 1 pass deflect
Straka (CB #1) 3 tackles, 2 INT, 1 pass deflect
Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Loeb (DT #60) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Mikulay (LE #45) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack

Notes: Next up is Louisville, who just broke the AP Top #25.

Season 2, Game 3: vs U North Carolina

2005-09-01T14:46:00.000-07:00

University of North Carolina Tar Heels (#67) vs. Milwaukee College Penguins (#115)

Ugly. Everybody and their mother got on Koch (QB #22) during the time between games: is the real Koch the person with the 162 quarterback rating and three touchdown passes that we all saw in the season opener? Or is the real Koch the quarterback with the 62 rating and only 121 total yards that we saw at homecoming?

To be sure, I was curious myself, so there was no doubt who will be starting the game against the University of North Carolina.

And to be honest - and I don't use that term lightly - it wouldn't have mattered. We played like fools out there. Buoyed by the 3 interceptions last game, our secondary tried to intercept every thrown ball. As you know, that usually puts the defender out of position if they miss. And so we continually got burned down the field.

Koch was ineffective. It's tough when you have the expectations of a football-crazed city on your shoulders. In almost two quarters of work, he was 3 for 10 with a net 0 (yes, zero) yards in the air. His one interception got run back for a TD.

The Tar Heels put tremendous pressure on Koch; he got sacked five times and he rushed his throws too many times to count. In sum, we turned the ball over six times! Two on fumbles and four on passes. Root (QB #5) came in but as I said, it didn't matter. The score was 21-0 at the half, and it ballooned up to 56-7 by the game's end. It's not like we're playing the Ohio State Buckeyes here!

STATS: UNC vs. MKE

score: 56-7
first downs: 17-17
total offense: 407-334
rushes - yards: 18-69 --- 32-89
comp-att-TD: 19-33-5 --- 24-44-1
passing yards: 338-245
sacked: 0 - 5
turnovers: 3-6
fumbles - lost: 1 -1 --- 3 - 2
intercepted: 2 - 4
t.o.p: 13:25 -- 18:35

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 114.4 rating 21-34 for 245 yards, 1 TD, 3 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 18-84 rush (4.6 avg) 1 TD; 7-67 yards rec
Montgomery (WR #15) 6-93 yards rec, 1 TD
S. Buccheri (RG #59) 16 pancakes
Bogner (LT #52) 7 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 6 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
R. Umali (LOLB #50) 4 tackles
S. Umali (MLB #43) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
Miller (RE #62) 3 tackles (1 for loss)
K. Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect

Notes: Columbus (WR #82) came out of the game with a pinched nerve. She's questionable for our next game. The one bright spot of the game was that Buccheri (RG #59) finally got into form: 16 pancakes. That's a new record.

Season 2, Game 2: vs Northwestern University

2005-08-31T20:31:00.000-07:00

Northwestern University Wildcats (#35) vs. Milwaukee College Penguins (#113)

Homecoming. People dressed up as penguins. Lovely.

Hayden (LOLB #56) got her first sack of the year. So did McClone (CB #46) and Loeb (DT #60). We got our first ever punt-returned for a touchdown, courtesy of Straka (CB #10). That boy can really motor.

My coverage scheme - same as last year's except augmented by Straka's speed - is starting to work. We netted 3 interceptions, one each by Straka, Bennett (CB #10), and Ziegeweid (FS #34).

The problem was that we couldn't capitalize on the interceptions. Zero points to show for them. Koch (QB #22), after such a great start against Ball State, was having a terrible half. He was just overthrowing. And my receivers made so many drops. Montgomery (WR #15) had three! Our offense was anemic, posting just 58 yards in the entire first half, 30 on the run and 28 through the air.

Northwestern made the necessary adjustments coming out of the locker room to break the 7-7 tie. They intercepted us on our first drive of the 2nd half to take a lead. Wetzel (HB #47), however, found his legs in the second half to go over 100 yards rushing for the game. First time he's done that in a while. But, on a last-minute drive, he again fumbled the ball away, extinguishing a possible game-tying drive.

Big groans from the crowd. But then Ziegeweid (FS #34) forced a fumble from their halfback that my dad (ROLB #50) recovered! We got the ball back. Big cheers from the crowd of about four thousand. A scant 32 seconds left, on the 27 yard line. An errant pass, a short 5-yard pass, another errant pass brought us to fourth-and-five. I signaled a pass-play, but the Wildcats' defense was like a blanket. Koch took matters into his own hands and ran it for the first down. He made it, but was tackled and fumbled away the ball.

On top of everything, their opportunistic cornerback scooped it up and ran it back for a touchdown.

STATS: NU vs. MKE

score: 28-14
first downs: 11-17
total offense: 268-281
rushes - yards: 10-12 --- 34-160
comp-att-TD: 15-31-2 --- 15-37-0
passing yards: 256 - 121
sacked: 3 - 2
turnovers: 4 - 3
fumbles - lost: 1-1 --- 4 - 2
intercepted: 3 - 1
t.o.p: 10:01 - 21:59

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 62.6 rating 15-37 for 121 yards, 1 INT; 8-18 rush
Wetzel (HB #47) 21-125 rush (5.9 avg) 1 TD; 3-28 yards rec
Montgomery (WR #15) 4-25 yards rec, 2 TDs
Vee (C #63) 6 pancakes
Love (RT #70) 5 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Straka (CB #1) 4 tackles, 1 INT, 2 pass deflects; 1 TD
R. Umali (LOLB #50) 3 tackles, 1 fumble recovery
K. Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 3 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 INT

Notes: The starting QB question looms. Root has never started a game. That weighs heavy in my decisions.

Season 2, Game 1: @ Ball State

2005-08-30T20:09:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (#113) vs. Ball State Cardinals (#103)

Ah ... new beginnings. My current job security, despite my success in recruiting Straka (CB #1), is rated as a "D+" - on the verge of failing. Not only do I think and hope my team will do well this season, but I *need* them to do well. Or it's back to the lower divisions.

When Mikulay (LE #45) starts the first defensive play from scrimmage with a sack, I'm thinking good things. Then, on their next play, their freshman quarterback burns our secondary for a long touchdown pass. I couldn't believe it. All the problems we sought to address in the off-season are still present. We are still vulnerable to the long pass, and to the big play.

I started Koch (QB #22) instead of now junior quarterback Root (QB #5). That was a big game-time decision. Ultimately, though, I felt that Root played well coming off the bench. I wanted to get the more mobile Koch into the mix early.

He performed well, responding to the Ball State touchdown drive with one of his own, finishing with a touchdown pass to Montgomery (WR #15). Koch wasn't without his share of mistakes, but I was impressed with his numbers: 162.7 rating, 23-35 for 334 passing yards, 3 TDs, 2 INT and also 10-39 rushing yards (3.8 avg). The 162.7 rating is the highest of any quarterback I've coached! The 2 interceptions, however, were very costly. Both occurred in the red zone, and the last INT happened within the last minute of play, on a potentially game-tying drive. He also tended to hold the ball a little longer than he should've, resulting in at least two of the three sacks against him. But I like the guy's confidence.

After the game, my job security is down to just a "D" but I'm actually quite optimistic about our team's chances this year.

STATS: MKE vs. BALL

score: 31-38
first downs: 26-12
total offense: 496-491
rushes - yards: 36-162 --- 12-73
comp-att-TD: 23-35-3 --- 14-22-3
passing yards: 334-418
sacked: 3-1
turnovers: 3-1
fumbles - lost: 1-1 --- 1-1
intercepted: 2-0
t.o.p: 22:23 - 9:37

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Koch (QB #22) 162.7 rating 23-35 for 334 yards, 3 TD, 2 INT; 10-39 rush
Wetzel (HB #47) 17-73 rush; 8-100 yards rec, 1 TD
Montgomery (WR #15) 4-72 yards rec, 2 TDs
Khalafian (TE #80) 4-60 yards rec
Love (RT #70) 7 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

K. Anderson (SS #26) 5 tackles (2 for loss), 1 pass deflect
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 4 tackles
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles (1 for loss)
Geigel (FS #23) 3 tackles
Straka (CB #1) 2 tackles, 3 pass deflects

Notes: Next game is against my alma mater, Northwestern University. It's also our homecoming!

Season 2

2005-08-29T21:10:00.000-07:00

The full roster as well as the Season 2 schedule can be found here.

My 3-year contract with Milwaukee College stipulates that I guide the team to at least one winning season. The schedule, while still featuring our annual match-up against hated rivals Notre Dame, is a bit easier. No, there aren't any Ivy League patsies, but there is another team that has a penguin as its mascot.

I have an interesting quarterback situation. M. Koch (QB #22) is coming off his red-shirted freshman year. He's gotten bigger and confident. On the other hand, Root (QB #5) is game-proven. I can't decide how to start against our season opener in Muncie, Indiana against Ball State.

Incoming Freshman

2005-08-27T22:22:00.000-07:00

With the #2 man on the corner back depth chart gone to graduation, I concentrated my recruiting efforts in shoring up that secondary. We got burned so many times last year. Despite being 2nd in the lead in interceptions (we had 26), our lack of speed meant that once our opponents did catch the ball, they were off and running.

That said, I'm very pleased that our top two recruits are corner backs.

F. Straka (CB #74)

R. Umali (CB #73)

B. Conti (MLB #72)

S. Price (LE #90)

T. North (LG #74)

W. Mesich (LF #76)

A. Barnes (P #8)

J. Gant (OLB #36)

L. Cruz (LE #98)

A. Stewart (FS #27)

Departing Seniors

2005-08-27T22:10:00.000-07:00

All hail the graduating seniors.

J. Ross (QB #1) : 101.8 rating, 184-366 for 2170 yards, 11 TD, 15 INT. Playing through injuries during the last quarter of the season, Ross showed such moxy and bravery. She's been recruited to work in an arts organization in town.

D. Leplae (CB #16) : 25 tackles, 3 INT, 9 deflects. An unorthodox corner back if there ever was one. He's off to make music for a living.

K. Wood (LE #96) : 8 tackles, 1 sack. Played in one game but made the most of it.

Buccheri (RG #59), Offensive Lineman of the Year

2005-08-26T12:58:00.000-07:00

In a season with only two wins, sometimes it's hard to find the bright spots. Our offensive line, led by a couple of sophomore guards, Buccheri at right guard and X. Leplae at left guard, played well enough to garner the notice from the NCAA. In the end, with 52 pancakes and allowing only 2 sacks, the award for Offensive Lineman of the Year went to Buccheri (RG #59).

She was just as surprised as me when we got the news. Pre-season favorite for the award, and eventual runner-up, was the hulking senior right tackle from Air Force.

As the football season winds toward the National Championship (#3 Auburn vs #1 Ohio State in the Sugar Bowl), the accolades would't stop with that award. Buccheri was also selected as a first-team All-American, alongside with left guard and fellow sophomore, X. Leplae.

Congratulations!

Game 12: vs University of Louisiana - Monroe

2005-08-17T21:46:00.000-07:00

University of Louisiana-Monroe Indians (4-6, #108) vs. Milwaukee College Penguins (2-9, #115)

Our last game of the season and we faced the 4-6 UL-Monroe Indians. Both of us were on losing streaks, both of us hoping to end on some kind of high note. I hate to say it, but we were evenly matched with those Indians. This was proved within the first minute: both our quarterbacks threw interceptions in their first series. It was a tight game. Ross (QB #1) was starting in her last game in front of the partisan crowd. A rabid paid crowd of about 4,000. Ross had been knocked out of the past couple of games, suffering chest problems and lingering elbow bursitis, but there was no talking her out of playing today. She got suited up at, like, 5 AM.

I wished it turned out better for her. She battled. On our second possession, she led us on a long touchdown drive: 92 yards in 11 plays, including two of her own runs (an 11-yarder and an 8-yarder), capped by a 12-yard pass to her favorite receiver, Wetzel (HB #47).

UL-M would tie it early in a hard-hitting 2nd quarter. It was a battle of the front-lines. Buccheri (RG #59) was getting the pancakes she needed to retake the league lead in that category. Despite her effort - as well as the left guard (LG #69) - neither us or them could gain an advantage. And then the second-leading tackler on my team, R. Umali (ROLB #50), got injured. Then Montgomery (WR #15) practically got murdered. Love (RT #70) missed an assignment, leaving Montgomery particularly vulnerable on the screen pass. The game was paused as the medical team had to cart Montgomery off on the field on a stretcher.

Prognosis: several broken ribs. Out for 12 weeks.

At the half, it was 10-7 in their favor. R. Umali came back for the 2nd half. We would need him as the battle in the trenches continued. It wasn't until nearly 5 minutes left in the game that we finally took back the lead. Typically in this kind of battle, it was our fullback, Ciraldo (FB #25) that punched the ball into the end-zone. 5 minutes left. We held them to 3-and-out. 2 minutes left. Ross ran it for ten yards to bring us to 2nd-down and five to go. She got hit as she released the ball. It floated in the air; Sieczek (TE #86) caught it for a loss. They got the ball back with 100 seconds left to go. Plenty of time.

Plenty of time for us to do what we did a couple of times this season: lose in the game in the last minute. This one was particularly difficult to swallow. On their last possible play - it was 4th down - with a crazy crowd of players running amok in the end-zone - their halfback somehow catches the ball for a touchdown with 35 seconds left.

What do you say to the media? To the players? To the five seniors who have just played their last game?

Ross (QB #1), after the game

STATS: ULM vs MKE

score: 17 - 14
first downs: 12 - 17
total offense: 236 - 266
rushes - yards: 23 - 47 --- 33 - 142
comp-att-TD: 14 - 30 - 2 --- 14 - 34 - 1
passing yards: 189 - 124
sacked: 2 - 0
turnovers: 3 - 3
fumbles - lost: 6 - 1 --- 1 - 1
intercepted: 2 - 2
t.o.p: 13:33 - 18:27

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 69.8 rating 14-34 for 124 yards, 1 TD, 2 INT; 6-32 rush
Wetzel (HB #47) 13-69 rush; 3-31 yards rec, 1 TD
Columbus (WR #82) 3-40 yards rec
X. Leplae (LG #69) 11 pancakes
S. Buccheri (RG #59) 8 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Bushell (MLB #42) 6 tackles, 1 forced fumble
Bennett (CB #10) 6 tackles (1 for loss), 2 INT, 1 forced fumble
Hayden (LOLB #56) 5 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
Loeb (DT #60) 4 tackles (1 for loss)
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 2 tackles (1 for loss), 2 pass deflects, 1 fumble recovery

Game 11: @ Brigham Young University

2005-08-15T12:23:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (2-8, #104) @ Brigham Young University Cougars (1-9, #100)

I thought I'd try something new and actually have Ross (QB #1) run the ball. Now I know she's not the most fleet quarterback, but once you send all your receivers down-field, and there's good blocking up front, one can usually outrun most of their hulking defensive linemen. So, on our second possession,I had her run. A 6-yard gain, followed by an 11-yard run, at the end of which she actually LEAPT, instead of sliding, to get more yardage. We were all yelling on the sidelines, "Slide! Slide!" I don't know why she leapt - maybe some plain old macho - but we do know that she actually injured her chest on the tackle. A bruised sternum was the prognosis from the locker room. Out for the game. I'm sure her bum elbow wasn't feeling too good, either.

In came plucky sophomore QB Root (QB #5) with six minutes left to play in the first, no score. It was essentially her game. Hers to win or lose. On that series, she went 4-for-5 passing, setting up an easy 3-yard TD run for Ciraldo (FB 25). I thought, and these were my exact words, writ on my clipboard, "Our future is closer than it has ever been before."

Our defense held them to 3-and-out. Then Root again led the charge down the field. We suffered an injury to Khalafian (TE #81) (strained pectoral), but what really hurt was Root's first of four (!) interceptions. At the threshold of the end-zone, she threw it right into the hands of their middle line backer. But we held them to another 3-and-out.

Our next drive stalled at the 30-yard line, setting up a long field-goal attempt by Goodman (K #30). His aim was true, but the wind was gusting some 20 mph against him, and it fell short.

Then the Cougars' offense came to life. 70 yards in 4 plays and 70 seconds to tie it up. On their next possession, a 32-yard pass puts them up 14-7 as we headed into half-time.

The Cougars opened up the half with a quick TD drive, capped with a 57-pass. 21-7. Our offense couldn't respond. Sieczek (TE) dropped a pass that he shouldn't have that would've converted a third down. Drives would stall just beyond Goodman's kicking range and then we'd have to turn the ball over on downs. On drives when that didn't happen, Root threw interceptions. Sometimes she just floats the ball in the air, or leads her receivers too far. Turning the ball over four times ain't going to win you games. She gotta get that under control.

STATS: MKE @ BYU

score: 14 - 35
first downs: 20 - 11
total offense: 373 - 315
rushes - yards: 44 - 122 --- 8 - 36
comp-att-TD: 23 - 44 - 0 --- 11 - 32 - 5
passing yards: 251 - 279
sacked: 1 - 0
turnovers: 4 - 2
fumbles - lost: 2 - 0 --- 1 - 1
intercepted: 4 - 2
t.o.p: 25:55 - 6:05

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Root (QB #5) 88.6 rating 23-43 for 251 yards, 3 INT; 8-38 rush
Ciraldo (FB #) 12-33 rush, 1 TD; 1-10 yards rec
Barber (HB #11) 6-24 rush, 1 TD
Montgomery (WR #15) 6-52 rec
Bogner (LT #52) 7 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

R. Umali (ROLB #50) 3 tackles
D. Leplae (CB #16) 3 tackles
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 1 tackle, 1 INT, 2 pass deflects
Mikulay (LE #45) 2 tackles, 1 forced fumble
S. Umali (MLB #43) 1 INT

Note: Denton, TX, then Provo, UT. We've completed our Mountain Goats "All Hail West Texas" tour. We went 0-2.

Game 10: @ University of North Texas

2005-08-13T18:46:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (2-7, #90) @ U of North Texas (4-4, #82)

With a few of our short-comings laid out in the Sports Illustrated article (slow secondary, and now a lingering elbow problem with Ross (QB #1)), I should've changed my strategy for the game against the North Texas Eagles.

Instead, I stuck with the usual. They must've not only read the article, but consulted with Notre Dame. They got to our quarterbacks four times but more importantly, they stuffed the run. Wetzel (HB #47) finished with only 35 yards. It's not just a combination of keying in on Wetzel; it also has to do with knowing my blocking scheme. Buccheri's (RG #59) effectiveness has been neutralized these past couple of games. Without her creating lanes for Wetzel or, to a lesser extent, Ciraldo (FB #25), who is beefy enough to create his own lanes, our running game is forced to go to the outside. Wetzel is fast but not that fast.

We were only down four points at the half, but it felt more like 40. Late in the 2nd quarter, Ross re-injured her elbow. She was lost for the game. In came plucky sophomore quarterback Root (QB #5) who, in our second series of the half, was rocked with a sack. With my 3rd QB, Koch (QB #22) red-shirted and thus unable to play, I turned to my kicker, Goodman (K #30). He's taken a few snaps in practice but never in a real game. He came in with 4:37 left in the 3rd, down 17-21, and facing 2-and-17. It was a strange sight seeing him line up behind Vee (C #63). He ran the Triple Option and handed off to Ciraldo; then, on 3rd-and-long, I called a passing play. Big mistake. He lofted the ball to Khalafian (TE #81), but it was their middle linebacker who intercepted it. The ensuing, short, drive resulted in a TD.

Root had seen enough and braved her back spasms to finish the game. She led the Penguins on a 74 yards touchdown drive, mostly through the air. A 32-yard pass on first down to Columbus (WR #82), a 9-yard pass to Barber (HB #11), and finally, a 29-yard toss to Wetzel set up a 3-yard run by Wetzel to make it cut their lead back down to four points. Biggest cheerleader on the sidelines? Ross.

But we couldn't score again. Realizing we weren't going to run the ball except on 3rd-and-short, the Eagles put on a relentless pass rush. Root was sacked twice more in the 4th quarter. Although she wouldn't admit it, I know her back spasms were bothering her.

In the end, they pulled away with a touchdown pass that came as a result of a blown coverage by both K. Anderson (SS #26) and D. Leplae (CB #16). I gotta watch those two. Sometimes they get distracted by each other out there.

STATS: MKE @ UNT

score: 24-38
first downs: 17-14
total offense: 283 - 345
rushes - yards: 26 - 20 --- 28 - 125
comp-att-TD: 18 - 37 - 1 --- 12 - 21 - 4
passing yards: 263 - 220
sacked: 4 - 2
turnovers: 2 - 2
fumbles - lost: 0 - 0 --- 0 - 0
intercepted: 2 - 2
t.o.p: 17:06 --- 14:54

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 117.4 rating 9-18 for 129 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
Root (QB #5) 112.5 rating 9-18 for 134 yards
Wetzel (HB #47) 11-35 rush, 1 TD; 2-40 yards rec, 1 TD; 3-59 yards kick return
Finner (WR #83) 6-69 yards rec, 1 TD
Bogner (LT #52) 6 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Wood (LE #96) 6 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack
R. Umali (ROLB #50) 4 tackles
Bennett (CB #10) 4 tackles (2 for loss); 4-70 yards kick return; 2-23 yards punt return
K. Anderson (SS #26) 3 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect

Note: Injuries provide opportunities. That's one way to look at it. An injury allowed Ty Cobb to start that amazing streak. In this game, it's obvious that our injuries to our quarterbacks hurt us; but that strained bicep to Mikulay (LE #45), who leads the teams in sacks, allowed senior left-end Wood a chance to get in the game. He made more tackles than anybody else on the team. Go, Wood!

K. Wood (LE #96)

Sports Illustrated, Part One

2005-08-13T16:52:00.000-07:00

Just as I made aware the individual acheivements of my players (as well as the collective achievement of my slow-but-smart secondary), I turn to this page in the latest Sports Illustrated:

I knew Wetzel (HB #47) would one day make the magazine, but not on the receiving end of a spanking. (BTW, POTW means "Player Of the Week".)

Leading the League

2005-08-13T09:15:00.000-07:00

I'll have more season stats, but I just wanted to note that with several games left to play, sophomore right guard Buccheri (RG #59) is leading the league in blocking. That is, she has collected the most "pancakes" - a block that knocks a person flat on his or her backside - so far. She's also allowed only 2 sacks. X. Leplae (LG #69), my starting sophomore left guard, currently ranks 6th in the league in blocking, with 34 pancakes and only 2 sacks allowed.

On the defensive side, junior free safety Ziegeweid (FS #34) has made 6 interceptions so far this season. That puts him tied with three others, at 3rd best in interceptions. As a team, the Penguins are ranked 2nd in the nation in interceptions. That's insane.

Finally, Bennett (CB #10), our punt-returner, ranks FIRST in the nation in average punt-return yards, with 16.6 yards. She's had 20 punt returns so far this season; her longest was a 55-yard scamper.

Game 9: @ Notre Dame

2005-08-12T20:53:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (2-6, #90) @ Notre Dame Fightin' Irish (5-1, #9)

The national media was on hand to cover today's game. I wasn't expecting it, but I guess with Notre Dame being ranked in the Top 10 as well as this being a "rivalry" game, the powers-that-be thought to see Lee Corso and company to call the game. I heard on the pre-game that they were predicting a slaughter. Both Kirk Herbstreet and Corso said that this one could get ugly, Kirk saying that we couldn't stop their halfback, and Corso predicting an "aerial assault."

They got the ugly part right.

Coming off a strong game against the Blue Raiders, one where we had 7 interceptions, I didn't think we would wilt so easily under the television lights. But in a stadium-full of rabid "Irish", it was tough. They scored three TDs in the first quarter, including two straight off turnovers, a Ross (QB #1) "fumble" (I still contend that she was in the act of throwing) and a Ross interception. We fumbled the ball a total of four times, losing it twice.

By half-time, it was 28-7 and we had negative rushing yards, largely due to Ross getting sacked so frequently but also because they really keyed on Wetzel (HB #47). His 27 yards rushing for the game is probably his lowest since grade school.

A few bright spots: Sieczek (TE #86) got his first TD catch; Mikulay adds to his sack total. By the end of the third, though, Notre Dame had already scored over 50 points, the last touchdown courtesy of another Ross fumble near their end-zone.

It was only then did I start calling plays for Ciraldo (FB #25). Triple Option, Full Back Blast. No-huddle so that he lined up as the 2nd halfback on the Running Back Streak. Largely because of him, we brought our rushing yards out of the red to finish with a whopping 37 yards on the ground. In 31 attempts that amounts to 1.2 yards per carriage. Ugly indeed.

Check out a frustrated Bennett (CB #10) jawing at their wideout:

STATS: MKE @ ND

score: 17 - 59
first downs: 18 - 11
total offense: 230 - 335
rushes - yards: 37 - 31 --- 23 - 106
comp-att-TD: 19 - 35 - 2 --- 10 - 17 - 3
passing yards: 199 - 229
sacked: 6 - 2
turnovers: 4 - 1
fumbles - lost: 4 - 2 --- 3 - 1
intercepted: 2 - 0
t.o.p: 19:59 --- 12:01

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 109.5 rating 19-35 for 199 yards, 2 TD, 2 INT
Ciraldo (FB #25) 11-66 rush
Wetzel (HB #47) 13-27 rush; 4-32 yards rec, 1 TD; 3-16 yards kick return
Beaumont (WR #81) 4-54 yards rec
Montgomery (WR #15) 3-28 yards rec

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Bennett (CB #10) 5 tackles, 1 pass deflect
Mikulay (LE #45) 4 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble
S. Umali (MLB #43) 4 tackles
Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 4 tackles

Note: Three more games left. We head to the Denton, TX next. I hear the best ever death metal band out of Denton was a couple of guys who had been best friends since grade school ... they never settled on a name. But the top three contenders after weeks of debate were Satan's Fingers, and the Killers and I think the Hospital Vomits.

Game 8: @ Middle Tennessee State

2005-08-10T22:40:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (1-6, #96) @ Middle Tennessee State Blue Raiders (2-4, #102)

Wow. We're not the underdogs. What up? And their team doesn't even have one injury. Not one stubbed toe or one upset stomach. An even game, for once. Our best against their best. Sometimes you gotta play that way.

Both teams seemed hell bent on filling that injured-reserve list, though. People were hitting HARD out there. As a coach, it's really nice to see (and hear) because that's an indication that your charges are into it. Even when we were on the receiving end. There's something really uplifting seeing a player get flattened - receive a pancake, if you will - and have that person get up and shrug her shoulders as if nothing happened. Sure, she could be seeing double or think she's on Planet X, but to have the sense to display that kind of bravado is my kind of starter. I'm talking about our cornerback, Bennett (CB #10). Twice she was knocked down - ankle, and then a head injury - and twice she came back.

That said, it was a rough game. Our first three possessions resulted in punts - including a 14-yard shank. The Blue Raiders returned Taylor's (P #49) first punt back for a TD.

But the Blue Raiders kept us close. Or rather, D. Leplae (CB #16) kept us close. He actually had two straight interceptions, both of which prevented touch-downs. We tied it in the 2nd quarter on a Wetzel (HB #47) 7-yard run. Then, on their very next play, we intercepted them again. This time, it was Hayden (LOLB #56). That made it three interceptions on three straight plays. Felt like a 1977 Reggie Jackson out there.

Hayden's INT led to a Goodman (K #30) field goal.

On their next play, their QB actually completed a pass to his own player ... but following that, HAYDEN INTERCEPTED HIM AGAIN! I knew our players were smart but they were reading minds out there. MINDS, I tell you. That's 5 throws and 4 interceptions. At that point, their QB only had three completions!

Yet we were tied at the half, 17-17. And we lost Ross (QB #1). She injured her elbow on a particularly vicious sack. (For our part, we would injure their strong safety, and later, BOTH their QBs. What's that about taking knives to a gunfight?)

In came plucky sophomore QB Root (QB #5) to try to win the game for us. And win she did. After missing her first three passes, she went 14-19 for 159 yards, including 2 touchdowns, one to Barber (HB #11) and the other to Beaumont (WR #81). Lovely. Plus, our secondary continued to show their smarts. Bennett, Ziegeweid (FS #34) and Miller (RE #62) each got interceptions ... and Miller plays on the defensive line! With D. Leplae's and Hayden's INTs in the first half, Miller's gave us 7 for the game. A Penguins record.

STATS: MKE @ MTSU

score: 38 - 24
first downs: 20 - 9
total offense: 390 - 303
rushes - yards: 34 - 88 --- 16 - 89
comp-att-TD: 22 - 37 - 3 --- 13 - 32 -1
passing yards: 302 - 214
sacked: 3 - 1
turnovers: 1 - 7
fumbles - lost: 1 -1 --- 1 - 0
intercepted: 0 - 7
t.o.p: 20:39 - 11:21

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 155.4 rating 8-15 for 143 yards, 1 TD
Root (QB #5) 154.4 rating 14-22 for 159 yards, 2 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 20-98 rush, 1 TD; yards rec, 3-16 yards kick return
Beaumont (WR #81) 3-74 yards rec, 2 TD
Khalafian (TE #80) 5-77 yards rec

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

D. Leplae (CB ) 4 tackles, 2 INT, 1 pass deflect
McClone (CB #46) 5 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack
S. Umali (MLB #43) 5 tackles (1 for loss)
Hayden 1 tackle, 2 INT
Anderson (SS #26) 5 tackles

Note: Turns out the injury to their starting QB was a serious one - broken ribs, out for at least three weeks. The injury to their back-up QB (QB #16), caused by a McClone (CB #46) blind-side sack, was actually even worse. He's listed as having a "strained back" and out for 12 weeks! Our starting QB, Ross, has a "bruised elbow" and is questionable for our game against arch-rival Notre Dame.

Game 7: vs. Navy

2005-08-08T23:25:00.000-07:00

Navy Midshipmen (1-3, #70) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (0-6, #117)

For the second straight game, we faced a team that had been decimated by injuries. Both their starting quarterback and their starting halfback were out with injuries. Having learned the lesson from the Marshall game, when I faced another team wracked with injuries, I wouldn't take anything for granted. Especially when our promising first series stalled out on the 37 yard-line.

But on Navy's first throw, though, Anderson (SS #26) intercepted it and nearly ran it back for a touch-down. Wetzel (HB #47) ran it in soon after to make it 7-0.

We get another interception on their next drive - the guy was seriously overthrowing This time, the INT was by star cornerback, Bennett (CB #10). Our ensuing drive resulted in a Goodman (K #30) 31-yard field-goal.

10-0 turned into 10-7 nary a minute later, when their back-up halfback busts our front-line and gets into the open field. As smart as our secondary is, we have no speed. None.

They tied it by the half, 10-10. I gave my charges a "look, see here" in the locker room; we made the necessary adjustments, basically running a 4-4 or 5-2 defense to stop that run. It worked. With no confidence in their QB's arm, they forced themselves to run. When they did try to pass, it was often into double-coverage. Their QB completed only 4 of 21 passes all day.

But with only a 7-point lead, nobody was willing to bring out the charcoal, let alone the Gatorade. Even with a fresh set of downs, with a minute and 51 seconds left to go, the fans were still bracing for the worst. Such was our creativity in losing. But this time, we ran smart, sapped that clock, Wetzel stayed in-bounds. 32 seconds left and, with Navy expecting another run, Ross throws a beautiful pass to Montgomery (WR #15) for the nail in the coffin.

Fire up the vegan grill! Fire up the vegetarian grill! Fire up the meat grill! We finally won one!! "The monkey is off our back." We beat the Navy Midshipmen!

STATS: Navy @ MKE

score: 10-24
first downs: 8-22
total offense: 212 - 321
rushes - yards: 23 - 147 --- 35 - 174
comp-att-TD: 4 - 21 - 0 --- 19 - 39 - 1
passing yards: 65 - 147
sacked: 2 - 0
turnovers: 2 - 2
fumbles - lost: 1 - 0 --- 3 - 1
intercepted: 2 - 1
t.o.p: 12:42 - 19:18

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 83.7 rating 19-39 for 147 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT; 1-10 rush
Wetzel (HB #47) 18-84 rush, 2 TD; 2-18 yards rec, 2-47 yards kick return
Barber (HB #11) 9-43 rush; 2-28 yards rec, 1 TD
Montgomery (WR #15) 6-44 yards rec, 1 TD
X. Leplae (LG #69) 8 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

S. Umali (MLB #43) 5 tackles (2 for loss)
Mikulay (LE #45) 4 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack
Miller (RE #62) 4 tackles (2 for loss)
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles (2 for loss),1 INT, 1 pass deflect; 1-16 kick return yards, 3-49 punt return
Anderson (SS #26) 1 INT

Notes: We were 3-3 on 4th down conversions.

Post-Game

2005-08-05T13:06:00.000-07:00

How does one deal with a loss like that? One reads about the world. One stops talking about football. For instance, tomorrow is the anniversary of the bombing of Hiroshima. Democracy Now! has a really good program re-visiting that day.

I also spent some significant time in the morning and midday recruiting, socializing with one of my defensive tackles - but never once talked about our heart-breaking loss to the Thundering Herd. To a person, football is never the number one reason why any of my players are in Milwaukee, so it's refreshing to be reminded of that, of how rich and full their lives are outside of the gridiron. Sure, we spoke about athletics - but in a more round-about way. It was more aesthetics than athletics.

FINAL UPDATE on "Fat Tuesday" - Nobody on this team, that I am now aware of, has any contact with the legendary "Fat Tuesday." Perhaps he (or she) is being recruited by another team? Perhaps that person doesn't want to play for the Penguins?

Game 6: vs. Marshall

2005-08-05T13:04:00.000-07:00

Marshall Thundering Herd (1-3, #70) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (0-5, #117)

Despite our winless record, I went into the game against the Marshall Thundering Herd (perennial also-rans in Conference USA) with an unusual degree of confidence. Don't get me wrong, even they stacked up well against our team. But this week, they came in with several key injuries: one of their starting cornerbacks, their starting middle line backer, and their second-string halfback.

Then on our first possession, Ross (QB #1) gets sacked twice and we have to punt. Oh-uh. But then we sack them twice back: first by freshmen cornerback McClone (CB #46), and then, on the very next play, by blitzing junior cornerback Smith (CB #2). He actually knocked the ball loose and McClone picked it up for our first fumble recovery of the year.

Then we started to have some major fun. After converting on 3rd-and-10, plays to Wetzel (HB #47), Ciraldo (FB #25), Montgomery (WR #15), Beaumont (WR #81) had us positioned on the 4 yard-line. Ross ran the no-huddle, as is our practice, and called a play for the fullback. Montgomery lined up in Ciraldo's position, but powered it in nonetheless.

We continued to put pressure on their QB. This resulted in a Bennett (CB #10) interception. The ensuing drive featured a cast of different characters - Khalfafian (TE #80), Barber (HB #11), Finner (WR #83), Sieczek (TE #86) - with the same end result: a touchdown, this time a beautiful 11-yard touchdown run up the gut - courtesy of a key block by left guard X. Leplae (LG #69) - by Barber (HB #11). She strode in virtually untouched. 14-0. Our biggest lead of the season. Felt weird.

And on their next possession, 3rd-and-10, McClone, having the game of her life, intercepts a pass and runs it back 46 yards for the TD. 21-0 in the 2nd quarter. Started to feel mighty strange. We were ... dominating.

So when they broke out for a - gulp - 74 yard touchdown pass to quickly make it 21-7, I thought nothing of it. We'll just score in our next possession. Hubris? Try this: Ross to Khalafian three straight times. First for 10 yards, then 25 yards, and then 11. Felt like Montana and Rice out there. Khalafian was just having her way with her defenders. At the 6 yard line, Ross to Khalafian for our fourth touchdown of the half.

On the Thundering Herd's next possession, this time the defensive hero is free safety Ziegeweid (FS #34) getting his fourth interception of the year. And - ho hum - we scored again. Barber got her second TD of game, this time receiving. She can do it all: run, catch, paint.

They scored in their next possession but what of it? We had 35 points to their 14 going into the half. That's more than we've scored in any entire game!

...

A coach I admire once told me, from the confines of her easy chair, that she's "rather have a tiny lead than a huge one." While I don't particularly share that sentiment, after this game, I think I'm starting to understand her way of thinking.

With a three touchdown lead, we simply stopped scoring. Our offense kept looking to our defense for a sack, an interception. Instead, it was us that gave up the ball. On our first drive of the second half, Ross tries to force the ball to Columbus (WR #82), who had been well-covered all game. It gets intercepted in the end-zone. On their ensuing drive, an 83-yard touchdown run makes it 35-21.

Still, it wasn't enough to sound the warning bells in me or any of my players. I took full responsibility for that. I run a loose camp, something that other coaches might call "undisciplined", but I believe in a football that is first and foremost, fun. And sitting on a 35-21 lead with 12 minutes to play was, well, fun.

But you don't win by sitting. You don't win by firing up the vegan grill in anticipation of celebratory Not Wurst. And you certainly don't win by missing open-field tackles.

Our lead dwindled down to 7 points by the start of the fourth quarter. We started to play again. Beaumont started to respond to the trash talk. Tempers started to heat up, especially when the Thundering Herd noticed our grill. We drove down to the 11 yard-line, and then stalled out. Goodman (K #30) came in to give us three more points.

Four minutes left to play. 10-point lead. It felt so tenuous all of a sudden. When they converted on fourth-and-1, I ordered the kids to douse the coals. With 2 minutes to go, they had closed the gap to three points.

Keep the ball on the ground, a couple of first downs. That was the plan. But I called a play-action because I knew they were expecting run. They blitzed. We were just plain lucky they didn't intercept that blimp of a pass. And then I called ANOTHER passing play. Miss. On third-and-10, I had to pass. With only 8 seconds elapsed from the clock, Taylor (P #49) punted the ball back to them. They take only a minute to get into the end-zone to finally take a lead in the game.

49 seconds left. Working from the 28 yard line, Ross connected to Montgomery for 21 yards, more jawing on the field - a rivalry between the Penguins and the Thundering Herd has begun, another Ross to Montgomery pass. 41 yard-line, over-the-shoulder catch by Khalafian put us on the 19th. Ross to Montgomery into the end-zone. She had it - "YES!" - the immediate tackle knocked it loose. The officials rule: she never had possession of the ball.

We try thrice more to loft it into the end-zone, but they knew what was coming.

There's nothing worse than having the visiting team celebrate on your home turf.

STATS: MARSH @ MKE

score: 42 - 38
first downs: 16 - 27
total offense: 497 - 415
rushes - yards: 13 - 112 --- 31 - 120
comp-att-TD: 17 - 32 - 4 --- 25 - 46 - 2
passing yards: 385 - 295
sacked: 2 - 2
turnovers: 4 - 1
fumbles - lost: 1 - 1 --- 0 - 0
intercepted: 3 - 1
t.o.p: 10:22 - 2:38

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 118.2 rating 25-46 for 295 yards, 2 TD, 1 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 15-84 rush, 1 TD; 6-43 yards rec, 4-76 yards kick return
Barber (HB #11) 7-24 rush, 1 TD; 2-28 yards rec, 1 TD
Khalafian (TE #80) 7-110 yards rec, 1 TD
Buccheri (RG #59) 12 pancakes (!)

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

McClone (CB #46) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack, 1 INT returned for a TD
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 4 tackles (1 for loss), 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
Ciraldo (FB #25) 4 tackles
D. Smith (CB #2) 3 tackles, 2 for loss, 1 sack
Bennett (CB #10) 1 INT, 1 pass deflect

Notes: The league officials have awarded McClone (CB #46) player of the week honors for our conference, the 1A Independents. Thanks. No, really. I'm just pissed that her effort was for naught.

Root (QB #5) by Barber (HB #11)

2005-08-05T00:01:00.001-07:00

This afternoon, early afternoon, I went biking around, happening upon various members of the team who live on my side of the campus. I had heard that there was an "art exhibit" on the corner of Booth and Wright streets.

These are paintings done by my sophomore halfback, Barber (HB #11), a rare talent. The painting on the left is a rendition of my plucky back-up quarterback, Root (QB #5), with her beau. In the painting, she has the mischievous grin on her face, with her eyeballs trained to right. I know that look well.

Game 5: vs. Wisconsin Badgers

2005-08-04T08:10:00.000-07:00

University of Wisconsin - Madison Badgers (2-1) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (0-4)

Our homecoming game. People were keyed up all around our fair city. I biked around in the heat and people were tensed with excitement. Sure, they went about their business in the usual manner, but I knew what's in their heads: the Milwaukee College Penguins versus their in-state rivals the Wisconsin Badgers. #117 versus #36.

When it came down to the game, we didn't disappoint. We won the coin toss, elected to receive, and then proceeded down the field with a masterful and excruciatingly long drive. Five and a half minutes. Three third-downs converted to firsts. Ross (QB #1) couldn't miss. She connected on her first eight passes! Fittingly, Wetzel (HB #47) caps off a drive with a run up the middle.

How would Wisconsin respond? Starting on their 28 yard line, they connected on passes for 11 yards, then 4, then 25. A minute later they're in the red-zone. Twice they took shots into the end-zone. Bennett (CB #10) showed me why she's the number one Corner Back. Covering their best Wide Receiver, she batted away both passes.

They have to settle for a field-goal. We score a field-goal in our next possession. Remarkably, the game then became a defensive struggle. The first half would end 10-3 in our favor.

At the half, they only had 24 yards rushing. Their average yards rushing per game thus far this season was 261!

We continued to trade scoreless possessions to begin the 2nd half. Then, with 5:30 left to play in the 3rd, the Badgers get the tying score. But we didn't break. With a minute left to go in the third, we put together a drive that found us on the 9 yard-line. Third-and-two. Ross audible-ing through the myriad of plays to get us that first down. Running Back Streak. Half Back Lead. Triple Option. Back to Running Back Streak. Kid was going nuts trying to mess with the Badgers' heads. From the shot-gun, she dropped back seven steps as both Wetzel and Ciraldo rushed to the end-zone. Time enough for their Outside Line Backer to hit her as she's about to throw the ball. The ball popped out - it's recovered by Wisconsin - and they ruled it a fumble. No forward progress. They deemed she wasn't in the act of throwing. Hello, Tom Brady?

And so we took the 10-10 deadlock into the 4th.

That's where all hell broke lose. Wisconsin finally found its legs. 39 yards rushing up until then. In the 4th quarter alone, they amassed 136 yards on the run. Their halfback was just too fast; catching passes in mid-gallop, his speed was just too much for my secondary populated with poets and curators and Co-op volunteers.

We couldn't keep up. Even though Columbus had her break-out game (4 catches for 84 yards) and Montgomery continued her excellent play (5 catches for 53 yards) - even Ross had a nice 19-yard run - we couldn't match Wisconsin's better athleticism. Time and time again, their defense made one huge play to stop a drive. Whether it be keying on Wetzel, or sacking Ross, they did it. And that's why they're heading back into the AP Top 25.

With a minute left, and backed up against our end-zone, down three touchdowns, Ross - again under pressure - threw up an errant pass that their Outside Line Backer easily caught and returned the ten or so yards back for a touchdown. That was tough. That game was already lost but to have that done to you? I felt bad for Ross, who looked like she was going to heave on the sidelines.

With only our pride to play for, we refused to run out the crowd. Less than a minute left and we were aiming to score. But it was too much for Ross, who had to leave the game after yet another tackle as she was throwing the ball. The score-keeper listed her departure as due to an "abdominal strain." Athletes just want to play, and here's as good a time as any to publicly state that Ross played the entire game with an upset stomach. This was her last homecoming!

In came plucky Sophomore QB Root (QB #5) for the final 30 seconds. Never saying die, and as our thanks to the fans who never left the stands no matter how lopsided the game became, Root threw a 30-yard touchdown pass with no time left on the clock to Beaumont (WR). While it wasn't exactly a bullet - the ball was actually headed towards Ciraldo, but it was tipped off his fingertips, then off a defender's fingers before it fell into Beaumont's hands - it did give the fans something to smile about. On top of that, we ran a fake extra-point kick and made the 2-point conversion: Root passing to Khalafian to finish the scoring.

Take that Badgers.

STATS: WIS @ MKE

score: 38 - 18
first downs: 10 - 20
total offense: 365 - 357
rushes - yards: 17 - 175 --- 37 - 79
comp-att-TD: 9 22 - 2 --- 22- 37 - 1
passing yards: 190 - 278
sacked: 1 - 3
turnovers: 1 - 2
fumbles - lost: 0 - 0 --- 4 - 1
intercepted: 1 - 1
t.o.p: 9:33 - 22:27

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 113.8 rating 21-35 for 248 yards, 1 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 19-59 rush, 1 TD; 5-57 yards rec, 3-30 yds kick returns
Montgomery (WR #15) 5-53 rec
Columbus (WR) 4-84 rec
Buccheri (RG #59) 5 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

R. Umali (ROLB #50) 3 tackles (1 for loss), 1 pass deflect
K. Anderson (SS #26) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 1 pass deflect
Bennett (CB #10) 2 tackles, 1 pass deflect, 3-65 yds kick returns, 1-32 punt return
D. Leplae (CB #16) 2 tackles
Mikulay (LE #45) 1 tackles (1 for loss), 1 sack

Notes: I'll have to list Ross as "questionable" for our next game. Mister Finner (WR #83) broke his thumb in the 3rd quarter but gamely came back by the 4th. It was his non-catching hand.

Homecoming

2005-08-03T21:55:00.000-07:00

Ah, the pageantry of homecoming. For me, I was just happy to be back in Milwaukee, after four difficult road games. The city is going crazy ... and that's before the game. General rioting, utter violence of the ilk I wrote about earlier. I don't know. When a fight breaks out between two of my charges I always say "Save it for the field." Works every time. Well, almost.

Yesterday, I was feted by one of the homecoming queens. Call it "coach's prerogative." At the local vegan eatery, I had a seitan philly; however, the messiness that I usually enjoy about the sandwich disturbed me. One of the cafe workers, perhaps as a gesture to "go and have a good game", gave me a sample of the fruit soup she was about to put in the 'fridge to chill overnight. Overall a most pleasant meal, and despite seeing my starting Left End, Mikulay (LE #45), outside of the eatery, I did not talk one bit about football with the charming co-ed. We wondered about the essential qualities of seitan, grieved over the general disarray of the world, and shared stories about family vacations. The Penguins' 0-4 win-loss record completely forgotten. Well, almost.

For now, the horrors of the UA-Birmingham game behind us, and soon within the safe confines of our playing field at Rolling Mills, and hopefully with at least five thousand or so crazed Penguin fanatics, we'll face our goliath proudly. The University of Wisconsin Badgers, currently ranked #35 in the latest coaches' poll, features a 2nd Team All-American halfback, will be our toughest opponent yet.

Game 4: @ University of Alabama - Birmingham

2005-08-02T20:01:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (0-3) vs. U of A-Birmingham Blaze (1-1)

I scheduled the game because I always wanted to go to Birmingham, the city where teenager Claudette Colvin inadvertently inspired Rosa Parks and the Montgomery County Bus Boycott. Buoyed by just being in the place of an unsung Civil Rights hero, and by the way Ross (QB #1) has been throwing the ball and Wetzel (HB #47) has been running it, AND by the fact that the UAB Blaze were ranked #85 to our #115, I felt confident going into the game.

Confident enough to go for it on 4th-and-goal TWICE in the first half. We were rewarded with touchdown runs. First by Ross herself from 1 year out, and then, predictably, by Wetzel from 4 yards away.

The triple option worked out well. I called it numerous times with Ciraldo (FB #25) busting through the middle to get important yardage.

For the first time this season, we took a lead into the locker room. 14-7, when it should've been 17-7. Bennett (CB #10) intercepted a pass and ran it back to the 23 yard line. With 2 seconds left to go in the half, I sent Goodman out for the makable 41-yard field-goal attempt. But with the wind swirling predominantly to the right, he overcompensates and kicks it wide.

Still, the lead held throughout the 2nd half, despite numerous attempts to give it away. Our first two drives of the second half resulted in turnovers: a Ross INT and a - gasp - Wetzel fumble. But because the Blazer's kicker missed two field-goals (what is up with that Birmingham wind?), so our miscues didn't cost us any. You gotta be lucky sometimes.

Then, the lead now at 17-7, the Blaze stop trying to throw the ball. They have two good halfbacks and both were used to great effect. All of a sudden, we were giving up 4-6 yards per run play, and then, on 4-and-2 no less and expecting a run, they throw a quick pass to their slot receiver and soon it's a 17-14 game, my lead down to 3.

It's a basic tenet in football: the run sets up the pass. I do that all the time in all aspects of life.

We don't score on our next possession. On theirs, they methodically drive down the field, converting two third downs and eating up three minutes of clock. 3-and-9 on the 13 yard line. Shotgun Trips versus Cover 2 Man. Their QB, under pressure from the left side, lofts it into the endzone. And my Free Safety Ziegeweid (FS #34) gets his third interception of the season. I couldn't believe it. We were all jumping up and down the sidelines as "Z" was huffing and puffing towards us on the sidelines. He returned it some 29 yards.

The game was ours. I couldn't control myself. 1:27 left to play. Our first win. All we had to do was control the clock. Ciraldo for a few yards, they expend a time-out, and then I call a play for Wetzel. He gets past the first-down marker and then ... he runs out of bounds, stopping the clock

I like to think that that bonehead maneuver - which basically gave UAB an extra time-out - was what gave them that tiny bit of spark that would see them eventually get the ball back, connect on 4th-and-10, and then beat our susceptible secondary to score a TD with 12 seconds left. Game-set-match.

STATS: MKE @ UAB

score: 17 - 21
first downs: 14 - 14
total offense: 248 - 334
rushes - yards: 28-98 --- 32-134
comp-att-TD: 11-23-0 --- 9-27-2
passing yards: 150-200
sacked: 1 - 0
turnovers: 3 - 2
fumbles - lost: 2 - 1 --- 0 - 0
intercepted: 2 - 2
t.o.p: 14:48 - 17:12

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 85.2 rating 11-23 for 150 yards, 2 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 13-70 rush, 1 TD; 3-41 yards rec, 1 TD
Barber (HB #11) 3-15 rush; 2-19 yard rec
Ciraldo (FB #25) 7-31 rush
Buccheri (RG #59) 3 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

S. Umali (MLB #43) 9 tackles
Miller (RE #62) 5 tackles
K. Anderson (SS #26) 4 tackles
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 3 tackles, 1 INT
Bennett (CB #10) 3 tackles, 1 pass deflect, 1 INT

Notes: Our home-coming game is next. It's against in-state rival, Wisconsin. I'm too disconsolate to look at tape, to examine our mistakes, to even make more out of my mom's 9-tackle performance. All that preparation, that pesto, that alternate-nostril breathing, to lose with less than a minute left.

Pre-Game Rituals

2005-08-02T09:08:00.000-07:00

Before tonight's game, I attended a Yoga class with my Kicker, Goodman (K #30). As one of my consistent performers so far - a coil of steady nerves, a powerful right leg, and the calmness of, well, a yogi - I figured that participating in one of his pre-game rituals might do me some good. The class was held in a basement of a mansion, in a low-ceilinged, carpeted room. The class was led by the younger sister of one of my Right Ends, Miller (RE #62).

What I like about Yoga is that there is, at least in this class, a constant acknowledgement of your body. I'm directed to think about it, to feel my breath travel down the length of my body and exit through the tips of my toes, wafting with it a message of peace, leaving behind relaxation. I'm given timely reminders to drop my shoulders. If every college football player would engage in some Yoga, the world would be a better place.

At the end of the class, Goodman said, "Namatse" which I think translates to "Thanks." This is significant. Bring on the University of Alabama - Birmingham Blazers.

Post-Game Meal

2005-08-01T21:53:00.000-07:00

Three Kinds of Pesto

At the suggestion of my star Right Guard, Buccheri (RG #59), we decided to console ourselves after a disheartening defeat by making pesto. She and our Kicker, Goodman (K #30), have grown quite a bit of basil that needs harvesting. Apparently, if one lets the leaves of the basil plant grow too big, the more bitter the taste. I didn't mind it at all - I'll take my medicine for all the bonehead plays I asked Ross (QB #1) and the rest to run - and I used the bitter leaves to make my first batch of vegan pesto.

Here's the recipe I used:

1/2 cup of basil
1/2 cup of parsley
4 tbsp of oregano
1 tbsp of thyme
1 tbsp of rosemary
3 tbsp of pinenuts
2 tbsp of barley miso (brown miso)
about a 1/4 cup of olive oil

Put all the ingredients, including the olive oil, into the blender and then run it. It was sumptuous. In the end, we made three different batches of pesto, Buccheri and Goodman electing to make theirs with a really expensive cheese. I think it was called Reggiano. Goodman thought his was too bitter and actually elected not to eat it.

Our sophomore Corner Back, Bennett (CB #10), popped in unexpectedly, as is her wont. The humiliation of the game forgotten in the humidity and the herbs, I didn't talk to her at all about blown coverages. Or anything about football. Her verdict on the pesto: she didn't think mine was bitter at all.

Game 3: @ University of Minnesota

2005-08-01T13:09:00.000-07:00

Milwaukee College Penguins (0-2) vs. U of Minnesota Golden Gophers (1-0)

Playing in domes really irks me. There's that artificial turf, all that noise, and a perverse lack of the outdoors. Football should be played in the out of doors, with the sun creating lens flare on the film cameras, or with the wind playing havoc to your kicker's 45-yard field goal attempt.

The school newspaper had couched the game as a home-coming for my star running back, Wetzel (HB #47), a Minnesota native who had been heavily recruited by the University. The paper only made slight mention of my kicker, Goodman (K #30), having played Division III football there at Macalester College. But it was Goodman that scored our first nine points, two of the three field-goals kicked from a distance of over 40 yards (41 yards out, 45 yards out). That guy got some legs.

But to start a debrief of the game by saying we scored three field goals begs the question: Why didn't we score three TOUCHdowns?

I'm reminded of Sean Connery's portrayal of the old-school Irish policeman in The Untouchables. "We took knives to a gunfight." For every field-goal Goodman made, the Golden Gophers came back with touchdowns. It was such that by half-time, after our three field goals, we're still down 21-9. What's worse is that they did it by making the big plays. Time and time again, they connected down-field for long passes, or their star half-back produced monster runs. He even had a kick returned for a TD. I hate when that shit happens. Meanwhile, we had to fight and scrap for every yard. Our time of possession was over three times as much as theirs.

A potential TD-drive late in the 1st half was thwarted by their 2nd team All-American MLB intercepting a pass by Ross. Despite going over 300 yards for the first time this year, that one interception will surely mar her memory of the game. It certainly does mine.

STATS: MKE @ MINN

score: 24 - 45
first downs: 26 - 7
total offense: 453 - 360
rushes - yards: 40-137 --- 15-210
comp-att-TD: 25-48-1 --- 5-13-2
passing yards: 316 - 150
sacked: 3 -1
turnovers: 3 - 2
fumbles - lost: 3 -1 --- 0 - 0
intercepted: 2 - 2
t.o.p: 24:02 - 7:58

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 105.9 rating 25-48 for 316 yards 1 TD, 2 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 19-110 rush, 1 TD; 8-75 yards rec, 1 TD
Beaumont (WR #81) 5-104 yards rec
Goodman (K #30) 3-4 FGs
Bogner (LT #52) 6 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Loeb (DT #60) 4 tackles (1 for loss); 1 sack
Miller (RE #62) 3 tackles (2 for loss)
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 1 tackle1, 1 INT
D. Leplae (CB #16) 1 INT

Notes: K. Anderson (SS #26) returned to play after injuring her pectoral muscle in the game against Rutgers. Sophomore halfback, Barber (HB #11) became a commuter student last week, electing to live way off-campus. Because of the amount of time our offense was on the field, she got in a lot of touches. And she produced: 7-21 yards rushing; 1-14 yards rec.

Recruiting, Part One

2005-07-28T07:09:00.000-07:00

With the pundits measuring our Football program's prestige level at a paltry "1 star" (some Division II schools are higher than us), I have to do all I can to scout out the new talent. I've been spending the week on campus at Marquette University. There are some kids here that would look good in a Milwaukee College Penguins uniform.

I've also gone on an all-out media blitz, going so far as to stretch out of the cozy confines of the Midwest. That one well-placed sentence in The Boston Globe may have repercussions that could lead to more media coverage, snag that blue chip prospect, perhaps even garner some Bowl interest.

Who I am I kidding? We're light years away from that. I write as if we're on the verge.

But, really, as far as recruting - which is a year-round endeavor - I'm not worried too much. I have only five seniors graduating this year: Ross (QB #1), Gerber (FB #21), Nordstrom (LT #68), Wood (DE #96), and D. Leplae (CB #16). I'd like to give Nordstrom some playing time but she sometimes flat out refuses to get on the field. Oh well, I know some of the kids are in it for the scholarship and that's fine with me. That's the thing with college football, future middle managers routinely line up against future NFLers.

Game 2: @ Rutgers 35-24 L

2005-07-26T21:34:00.000-07:00

Rutgers University Scarlet Knights (0-0) vs. Milwaukee College Penguins (0-1)

Well the Run and Gun really worked. Ross (QB #1) doubled her completed passes from last game, successfully connecting with 22 of her 45 passes. What's more, she shared the wealth, passing to 7 different receivers. Sure, the defense we faced was much weaker than California's - for instance, their pass rush was pathetic; Ross had time enough to make a grilled cheese sandwich out there - but I like to think that by implementing the Run and Gun, I'm giving Ross the green light to do what quarterbacks love to do: toss that pigskin. And toss she did, to the tune of 298 yards. "You go, girl!"

So how did we end up losing by 11?

There's a weirdness I can't shake when I use the term "hubris" that is related to the nagging feeling that I am displaying "hubris" by using a term that speaks of my having read Greek tragedies.

But I think it was hubris when, down only one touchdown, and still in the 1st quarter, I went for it on 4th and 2. To do this when you're, say, 24-28 yards away from your end-zone is okay, but we were on the wrong side of the 50 yard line. 18 yards away from it, in fact. I run the HB Lead, Wetzel doesn't follow his lead (which in this case was actually Montgomery (WR #15) since I had Ross call this play as an audible) and he did what he is wont to do: jump to the outside. He was gobbled up by their strong safety.

Hubris often results in retribution, so I wasn't surprised when Rutgers goes on to score a TD seconds later to make it 21-7 in the first quarter.

So, as these things often turn out, gifting Rutgers seven points would haunt me for the rest of the game. For we rallied. Our defense woke up. Our offense scored on our first two possessions of the second half, a touchdown and then a field-goal. The latter should've been a touchdown had Sieczek (TE #86), who lines up as the fifth wide-receiver in my five-wide set, not dropped the ball in the end-zone. That, plus Goodman's (K #30) missed 45-yard field goal attempt, on top of gifting Rutgers a TD, represents the points that would've won me the game.

A Miller (RE #62) interception sets up another TD run by Wetzel and we take our first lead of our young history. Go Penguins. The lead would last about two minutes.

STATS: MKE @ RU

score: 35 - 24
first downs: 23 - 14
total offense: 433 - 460
rushes - yards: 26-135 --- 23-82
comp-att-TD: 22-45-1 --- 16-33-4
passing yards: 298 - 378
sacked: 0 - 2
turnovers: 2 - 2
fumbles - lost: 2-0 --- 3-0
intercepted: 2 - 2
t.o.p: 18:30 - 13:30

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 103.0 rating 22-45 for 298 yards 1 TD, 2 INT
Wetzel (HB #47) 20-118 rush, 2 TD; 8-69 yards rec
Beaumont (WR #81) 5-69 yards rec
Buccheri (RG #59) 4 pancakes
X. Leplae (LG #69) 4 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Melchior (SS #24) 7 tackles (1 for loss), 1 forced fumble
McClone (CB #46) 5 tackles (3 for loss), 1 sack, 1 forced fumble, 1 deflect
Bushell (MLB #42) 3 tackles (2 for loss), 1 sack
Ziegeweid (FS #34) 2 tackles, 1 INT, 2 deflects
Miller (RE #62) 1 tackle, 1 INT

Notes: K. Anderson (SS #26) injured her pectoral muscle in the 1st quarter, putting her out for the rest of the game. The back-up strong safety, Melchior (SS #24) filled in remarkably for her, leading the team in tackles made with seven.

Run and Gun Playbook

2005-07-25T07:16:00.000-07:00

If there's one thing I absolutely hate in the whole wide world it's Steve Spurrier's term "Run and Fun". It's gotten so that I've actually become to hate the man himself. Which is OC. I guess the reason why I so dislike the term "Run and Fun" has something to do with Spurrier's success as a coach. It's one thing to have a dominant team and have "fun" running over your opponent's defense, and it's another thing to have a crappy team and implement "Run and Fun" while you are just a bottom feeder in your division. I guess he experienced a bit of that during his stint in the Pros. It is this idea of "having fun" while "dominating" that grates me in a way that probably shouldn't. Isn't being a winner supposed to take hard work? Isn't winning the National Championship an exhaustive (an, okay, exhilirating) task? One can easily argue: Winning IS fun. During Spurrier's stint in the National Football League, I wonder if his "Run and Fun" was actually still fun to run.

After our first loss, I did something drastic and threw out the Option Offense. It's drastic because we had used it for all our pre-season games. I liked the Maryland-I formation; I liked having Wetzel (HB) line up behind Barber (HB) line up behind Ciraldo (FB). But I realized that to really get the most out of the Option Offense, you need a quick-footed Quarterback. Ross (QB #1) is a gem of a quarterback with good field vision, a classic pocket quarterback. We were fooling both of ourselves thinking that she had the feet to go upfield.

So I pulled out the old Run and Gun offense. Ah ... 5-wide sets, with one of my tight-ends lining up as the fifth wide-receiver. I still had the triple option available to me so that my Fullback would get some opportunities up the middle. We tried some Ace sets, both trips and straight. I decided on my audibles, two of them, L1 and R1, screen plays for Wetzel (HB #47) and Montgomery (WR). I turned on the ancient air-conditioner in my apartment. Got ready to go to New Brunswick, NJ, the "birthday place of college football."

...

UPDATE on yesterday's incident. I was talking to my freshman defensive tackle, telling her about the incident in the alley - the one with the kids stealing bikes out of my friends' backyard. When I got to the point when one of the toughies threatened us with "go get Fat Tuesday", she stopped me and said, "I KNOW FAT TUESDAY!"

Columbus (Sophomore, WR #81)

2005-07-24T22:28:00.000-07:00

Columbus was held to one catch in the Penguins' maiden game. That's the tough part about being the go-to guy: the opponent's best corner backs are always on you. Years of coaching and I've always had better results calling plays for my number two wide-receiver. Anyway, that didn't dampen her spirits as she and her roommates, CB Bennett (#10) and FS Ziegeweid (#34) hosted a variety show in their off-campus housing. Always willing to show my support to my players, I attended and enjoyed myself immensely. Kids!

I wasn't surprised to see Left Guard X. Leplae (#69) in a couple of acts. He's always hamming it up during practice. Nor was I surprised to see our Kicker taking money at the door. In fact, a LOT of my players were there. My second-string halfback was even tending bar. I'm proud to report that their behavior didn't change none when I entered the hall.

...

Today was hot and humid, the best it's been. I reviewed tape. I edited. I finished some assigned reading (Jeffrey Brown's "Unlikely"). I went to work to enjoy the library's air-conditioned environs. I went to a fast-food noodle place for dinner, as much for their thai peanut noodle as for their air-conditioning.

Yesterday, I dined at the Co-op with my star Right Guard. While we were waiting for our meal (vegan biscuits and gravy and french toast), she noticed two boys stealing bikes from behind the house across the street. That's Sativa and Patrick's place! As she's telling me this, we actually see one of the burglars heave a bike over the back side fence. I went out and luckily, Patrick drove up at the same time. I told him what was going on and he raced through the alley, while I took the long way around. I got there first anyway. My mere presence, though, caused one of the punks to ignore the bike that had been thrown away. But then the other punk comes down the alley, toting two bikes. "Are those your bikes?" I ask, and he says that he found them in the alley.

Patrick's head appears over the wooden fence and he confirms that those bikes were indeed in the yard. He climbs over, mad. "If you'd'a just knocked on the door and asked for them I would've given them to you."

Things happen: the punks trying to somehow say that they weren't trespassing because they didn't actually go inside the house; one of the punks - the tough guy - saying that he wishes he had his "nine" with him; a random twentyish woman walking obliviously through the alley with her groceries temporarily halting the tense proceedings. Things started to escalate and my mind raced to the many simulair situations I've lived through. Lord knows that in my capacity as a coach of a full-contact sport I've had to deal with my share of scuffles. I knew that if either Patrick or the tough guy jsut as so much as touch each other, the fight is on. Even though I coach collegiate football, I'm as pacifist as they get. So I got in front of Patrick, holding him back. The guy being held back always looks tougher than the other guy. This I thought as I tried to calm Patrick down, his compact, muscular body, barely contained in a white tee-shirt, tense and heaving. He kept saying that if he had found them actually in the backyard, he would "pound" them.

What he wanted was for the punks to admit that what they did was wrong. Yet even this was unclear to me until Patrick actually voiced his wish. And then the two kids - late teenagers, really - promptly apologized. Whether sincere or not, it did the trick. Patrick gave them the bikes, saying that he was going to donate them to the Bike Collective anyway.

I gotta recruit Patrick for the team.

Game 1: vs. Cal 38-17 L

2005-07-23T16:59:00.000-07:00

California Golden Bears (0-0) @ Milwaukee College Penguins (0-0)

The first game of the season - hell, the first game of the 2004 Milwaukee College Penguins - and we're broadcast on National Television. Is that fair? The nervousness showed as California built up a 31-3 half-time lead.

Some of the low-lights: Bennett (CB #10) returning a punt for 55 yards, which is good sure, but she fumbled it away at the end of the play. Two of the stars in my secondary, Ziegeweid (FS #34) and D. Leplae (CB #16), missed open-field tackles that led to touchdown scores.

CAL threw for 382 yards, which is strange considering that we put some good pressure on their quarterback. We had six sacks! One each from Mikulay (LE #45), Hayden (LOLB #56), Loeb (DT #60), and R. Umali (ROLB #50)). My freshman defensive tackle, Germain (DT #91), picked up two! Hayden was the defensive star of the game for making a key interception that led to the Penguin's first touchdown, a 3-yard rumble by Wetzel (HB #47).

Offensively, I ran Wetzel 15 times; he gave me 45 yards, each one as difficult to attain as the holy grail. His longest one was for 16 years. Ross (QB #1) gave me 121 yards in the air, with Beaumont (WR #81) catching 5 of her 11 completions, the last for a bullet of a TD that finished the scoring at 38-17. Goodman (K #30) scored the Penguin's first points this season with a 35-yard field goal at the end of the first half of play.

We actually outscored California in the second half of play, two touchdowns to their one. I'm hoping we can continue this momentum when we go to Rutgers to face the Scarlet Knights. It's a home-coming of sorts; I grew up in New Jersey.

STATS: CAL - MKE

score: 38 - 17
first downs: 13 - 11
total offense: 415 - 154
rushes - yards: 21-33 --- 31-33
comp-att-TD: 14-25-4 ---11-27-1
passing yards: 382 ---121
sacked: 6 - 4
turnovers: 1 - 1
fumbles - lost: 0-0 --- 3-1
intercepted: 1 - 0
t.o.p: 14:34 - 17:26

KEY PLAYERS (Offense)

Ross (QB #1) 90.6 rating 11-27 for 121 yards 1 TD
Wetzel (HB #47) 15-45 run, 1 TD; 2-26 yards rec
Ciraldo (FB #25) 6-16 run; 1-13 yards rec
Beaumont (WR #81) 5-38 yards rec, 1 TD
Vee (C #63) 4 pancakes

KEY PLAYERS (Defense)

Loeb (DT #60) 5 tackles, 1 sack
R. Umali (ROLB #50) 5 tackles, 1 sack
D. Leplae (CB #16) 4 tackles
Hayden (LOLB #56) 4 tackles, 1 sack, 1 INT
Germain (DT #91) 2 tackles, 2 sacks

Season One Schedule

2005-07-23T16:55:00.000-07:00

The pre-season pundits have ranked my Milwaukee College Penguins at 95 out of 117. Despite that, I scheduled a relatively difficult season, including rivals Notre Dame and Wisconsin, two pre-season Top 25 teams. The usual Ivy League teams vied to be in our schedule, but I opted to "put them on the waiting list." Missing from the list is my alma mater, Northwestern University, which stinks because they beat us in a "friendly", pre-season game. I was looking forward for a re-match.

SCHEDULE

Game 1: vs. California (preseason rank: #71)
Game 2: @ Rutgers (#96)
Game 3: @ Minnesota (#37)
Game 4: @ UAB (#97)
Game 5: vs. Wisconsin (#25)
Game 6: vs. Marshall (#93)
Game 7: vs. Navy (#108)
Game 8: @ Mid Tennessee State (#99)
Game 9: @ Notre Dame (#20)
Game 10: @ BYU
Game 11: vs. UL Monroe (#107)