With 13 seconds left, St. Norbert pulled off a miraculous victory versus Wisconsin Lutheran. This will rank as an all-time classic.
Fall Football Saturdays
After covering athletics and various levels of professional and college in three sports, I decided to venture out and cover my first NCAA Division 3 football game. I chose St. Norbert College because of its proximity to me and their reputation for treating the media and fans with the utmost of respect. Upon arrival at Schneider Stadium, I was greeted by staff and fans alike. The friendliest of this environment is genuine and you can tell the fanbase is rabid in their adoration for their team.
Lost In the Shuffle
The reason why I started the Add Drop Podcast and accompanying writing was to give schools, regardless of size a platform. Granted, many can cover the bigger schools. Yet, I hold the belief that athletics, at all levels, needs that outlet, the ability to have a voice. What better place to start than De Pere, Wisconsin? Tucked just outside of Green Bay, St. Norbert boasts a proud athletic tradition that extends back decades. The Green Knights remain an integral part of this community, proven by the near-sold out crowd to watch St. Norbert take on Wisconsin Lutheran College.
More Than Bucky
Living up in Wisconsin, you see quite the number of University of Wisconsin fans. However, within that Bucky fandom are the various Division 3 schools that dot the map. In Wisconsin Lutheran, you have a Milwaukee-based school that is known for excellent academics. Similarly, St. Norbert is another institution of high academic acclaim. Yet, these schools put that aside when stepping on the field. The pad popping and number of vicious hits resonate regardless of level. In fact, this game is a testament to that.
Intense Pressure
Throughout the game, the Green Knights’ defense made sure WLC quarterback Bryce Barbian felt their presence. During the first drive, SNC senior defensive lineman Oliver Sgrignuoli drilled Barbian for the sack. The hit, as clean a vicious hit as you will see, looked to stun Barbian. However, the Warriors’ resilient sophomore quarterback pulled himself off the ground, and walked to the sidelines. Barbian faced intense pressure most of the day. Yet, he never flinches, completing 34 of 52 passes for 380 yards and four touchdowns. Like a prizefighter, the Cudahy, Wisconsin native answered the bell all day long. Sgrignuoli played with a relentless approach the balance of the afternoon, tallying two sack, three tackles for loss and a forced fumble.
Around Full Press Coverage
NFL OPINION: Morten Andersen: The Toughest Place To Kick? For Me, It Was This Place
NFL: NFL 2022: Five Key Statistics for Week 2
-
EP 136: Week 3 Studs and Duds
by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 7:01 pm
NFL: Kansas City Chiefs Stock Report: Week 2 2022
FULL PRESS BETS: NFL MVP Odds: Patrick Mahomes Leapfrogs Josh Allen For Top Spot
FANTASY FOOTBALL: Fantasy Football Value Picks In Every Round
PODCAST: Full Press NFL Podcast Ep 54: Chargers At Chiefs Preview
The Opposite Effect
While the St. Norbert pass rush made life occasionally painful for the Warriors, their offensive line allowed quarterback Peyton Lyon to operate mostly unharried. The offensive line surrendered just one sack. Wisconsin Lutheran’s rush could not generate any sustained heat. Furthermore, the big men upfront opened holes, for Owen Kudick and Delton Zuleger to combine for 276 yards and three scores on 42 carries. Most importantly, when Lyon needed time late in the game, the line provided a clean pocket and time to look vertically.
Perpetually Open
Despite playing under what looked like constant duress, Bryce Barbian connected with Trevion Green an astounding fourteen times. Green, the senior tight end from Miami, not only found soft spots in St. Norbert’s defense, but worked to generate separation. Moreover, understanding the pressure applied to his quarterback, Green worked back to Barbian, presented a target. That type of chemistry in just the second game will pay dividends later in the season for Wisconsin Lutheran.
A Tale of Two Downs
While looking at stats and reviewing games notes could tell the story of this game, how each team performed in clutch situations really outlined the competitiveness of this game. While SNC didn’t convert a fourth down in three tries, they converted 57 percent of their third downs. Meanwhile, WLC enjoyed the inverse. The Warriors struggled on third downs, gaining first downs on just four of seventeen attempts. In contrast, they rolled the dice on fourth down, cashing in on two-thirds of their tries. In the first conference game of the season, Coaches Treske and McCarty relied on gutsy decision-making throughout.
Not So Fast
After Owen Kudick capped an eight-play, 62-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run, St. Norbert expanded their lead to 31-20. If you looked on the Wisconsin Lutheran sideline, you saw a few bowed heads and sad faces. At the same time, you saw the majority of the team looking to get the ball and battle back. When the Warriors took over on offense during their last two drives, they scored twelve points in nine seconds. With the help of an onside kick, WLC added their second touchdown with 43 seconds left. At that point, a stunned hush fell over the crowd at Schneider Stadium.
The Grandkids Drive
With a one-deficit, facing the vanishing of an eleven-point lead, the Green Knights needed magic. Paul Bageanis took the kickoff back to the SNC 31-yard-line. After back-to-back first downs, Lyon threw an incompletion. From the WLC 47, Lyon dropped back, uncorked a deep ball, Bageanis leapt between two defenders, pulling the pass down, cementing a comeback for the ages and cementing one of the wildest fourth quarters in recent memory. Decades from now, when these current Green Knights and Warriors congregate at a reunion, that warm September day in 2023 will spring to mind. The descendants of these players will hear every detail.
Takeaways
If you cover enough games, you will always see something new. Under those circumstances, games are like snowflakes, no two are similar. This game from coin toss to victory bell exemplified the best in college athletics. Each coach prepared their team with a singular goal but divergent approaches. In addition to on the field, St. Norbert, as an institution displayed the classy reputation they’ve earned over decades. The school raised money for the wildfire victims in Hawaii, spearheaded by assistant defensive line coach, Kalama Kaluhiokalani. Additionally, Wisconsin Lutheran should not hang their heads. Granted, moral victories do not count. Yet, this game serves as a building block. Games like this are the reason why I started the Add Drop Podcast.
-
Ep 171: Discussing The Career Of George Kunz With Son Mattby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:30 pm
Clark and Ira are joined by Matt Kunz, son of former Colts lineman George […]
-
Ep 170: The 1986 Giants With Gary Myersby Full Press Coverage on September 15, 2023 at 9:44 pm
HOF voter and author Gary Myers joins Clark and Ira to discuss his new […]
-
Ep 169: Discussing Art Powell and the AFL With Historian Todd Tobiasby Full Press Coverage on September 3, 2023 at 3:04 pm
AFL historian Todd Tobias joins Clark and Ira to talk Art Powell and the […]
-
Ep 168: Hall of Fame Finalist Randy Gradishar Joins The Showby Full Press Coverage on August 24, 2023 at 8:44 pm
Former Broncos linebacker and member of the Orange Crush Defense, Randy […]
-
How Evaluating Offensive Tackles takes on a new identity in today's gameby LandryFootball.com on September 28, 2023 at 10:00 am
Some years ago, Bill Parcells told me that regarding the types of players […]
-
Breaking down the Good & Bad of Coaching Decisions in week 3 of NFLby LandryFootball.com on September 27, 2023 at 11:00 pm
There were multiple analytically interesting decisions made in Week 3. […]
-
Ep 307: FAAB Talk and Taylor Swiftby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 1:55 am
-
Ep 306: Week 2 Fantasy Football Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 3:06 am
-
Ep 305: TE Target Totals from Week 1by Full Press Coverage on September 12, 2023 at 2:28 am
-
Ep 304: The NFL Season Is Hereby Full Press Coverage on September 7, 2023 at 3:13 am
-
Ep 185: Week 4 Preview vs Lionsby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 12:36 am
A solo Senra show. For this episode, Kyle Senra previews the upcoming […]
-
Ep 184: Week 3 Instant Reactionby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 12:47 am
The Green Bay Packers were in another 1-point game, this time a 18-17 win […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes- 9- 28 - Hurricanes steal 4-1 preseason win over the Panthersby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 4:30 pm
The Hurricanes scored 3 goals in 3 minutes in the 3rd period to eliminate […]
-
Full Press Hurricanes - 9-27 - First Preseason Game. First Preseason Win!by Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 1:30 pm
The Hurricanes dominated the scoring in their first preseason matchup with […]
-
Full Press Islanders - 9-27 - Recap of Preseason openerby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 3:15 pm
We talk about last nights loss in the Preseason opener to the Rangers and […]
-
Full Press Wild - 9-27 - Recapping the Wild’s preseason loss to Dallas.by Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 2:00 pm
Preseason, Stars, Wild Learn more about your ad choices. Visit […]
-
Renegades Of Puck Ep 797by Charlie Saunier on September 27, 2023 at 5:01 am
Renegades Of Puck Ep 797 The Renegades Of Puck Recap Last Season, […]
-
Full Press Kraken - 9-26 - Preseason games, numbers, notes.by Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 10:15 pm
Reviewing the split squad games and numbers Learn more about your ad […]
-
9/28 - Dame Traded, Zach Wilson And The Jets, Packers/Lions Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 2:07 pm
Ian and John discuss the Damian Lillard trade, the Jets predicament with […]
-
9/26 - Eagles/Bengals Win On MNF, Mac Jones, and Much Moreby Full Press Coverage on September 26, 2023 at 2:04 pm
Ian and John discuss the Eagles and Bengals wins on Monday Night Football, […]
-
9/25 - Week 3 Reactions, Dolphins Hang 70, Biggest Disappointmentsby Full Press Coverage on September 25, 2023 at 1:46 pm
Ian and John react to a fascinating Week 3 in the NFL and talk about some […]
-
9/22 - 49ers Move To 3-0, Week 2 Picks and Predictionsby Full Press Coverage on September 22, 2023 at 1:58 pm
Ian and John discuss the 49ers win over the Giants on Thursday Night […]
-
9/21 - Thursday Night Football Preview; NFL MVP Talkby Full Press Coverage on September 21, 2023 at 2:15 pm
Ian and John preview Thursday Night Football between the Giants and 49ers […]
-
9/19 - Monday Night Recap, State of Quarterback Play, 2-0 Teamsby Full Press Coverage on September 19, 2023 at 2:08 pm
Ian and John discuss MNF and talk about the state of quarterback play. […]
-
Ep 2: Top 5 Super Bowls Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on February 7, 2023 at 3:26 pm
Ian Glendon and John Sapochetti give their Top 5 Super Bowls of all time. […]
-
Ep 1: The Top 10 Quarterbacks Of All Timeby Full Press Coverage on January 12, 2023 at 8:42 pm
On the first episode of 'According To Who?', host Ian Glendon and John […]
-
Patriots at Cowboys -Cardinals at 49ersby Broken Controller Media on September 28, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
San Antonio Spurs Previewby Broken Controller Media on September 28, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
Bengals at Titans - Raiders at Chargersby Broken Controller Media on September 28, 2023 at 3:00 pm
-
9/28 - Dame Traded, Zach Wilson And The Jets, Packers/Lions Previewby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 2:07 pm
-
Damian Lillard Traded To Bucksby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 2:02 pm
-
Episode 114: The Bears Are Who We Thought They Wereby Full Press Coverage on September 28, 2023 at 3:07 am
-
Full Press MMA - 9-27 - Dana White speaks to Adesanya’s drinking & driving caseby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Broncos at Bears - Buccaneers at Saints - Ravens at Brownsby Broken Controller Media on September 27, 2023 at 4:00 pm
-
Falcons at Jaguars - Rams at Colts - Commanders at Eaglesby Broken Controller Media on September 27, 2023 at 2:50 pm
-
Boot 2 The Face "The Rock Says..."by Boot 2 The Face on September 24, 2023 at 3:12 pm
On this episode of B2TF we talk AEW, WWE, NXT, Becky Lynch, Jey Uso, Raw, […]
-
Boot 2 The Face "She Was Portly"by Boot 2 The Face on September 14, 2023 at 11:57 pm
In the latest episode we talk Jey Uso and his move to Monday Night Raw. We […]
-
Shock Waves in Pro Wrestling: A McMahon No Longer Owns WWEby Full Press Coverage on September 27, 2023 at 12:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again as he discusses the history made as Vince […]
-
Wrestling World is Changing: From CM Punk To Vince McMahon to LA Knightby Full Press Coverage on September 14, 2023 at 1:00 pm
Jim Biringer is back once again joined by Justin Starr as they break the […]
-
Ep 183: The Sandmanby Full Press Coverage on September 23, 2023 at 2:00 pm
This week we're diving back into the extreme and looking at the career of […]