Mardi Gras 7-Peat

The Wisconsin Hodags survive a lost chartered bus, a blizzard storm, ridiculously muddy fields, and a first round loss to North Park to earn their 7th straight Mardi Gras Championship complete with King Cake. The first round loss to North Park has been characterized as a Travel Coordinator snafu. The drive-through-the-night car made it to the fields about 30 minutes to game-time, while the charter bus went to the wrong field site (weather change). North Park, having played an entire game already, agreed with Crumbly not to assess points despite the Hodags arriving about 20 minutes after game time. They were even nice enough to let Wisconsin do an abbreviated dynamic and layout into a mud puddle drill - before the game began. One break was scored the entire game and North Park prevailed 11-12, dominating Hodag defenders in the muddy conditions.

Ben Feldman, best injured Hodag not in cleats, freaks out hardcore. Reliving the hate days of 2008 - Benji snaps on the team for playing so average. It was a spectacle, an explosion, a diabolical world domination plan set aflame. Crumbly responded by challenging the Hodags to have fun instead of seething with hate -- which worked as Wisconsin won the rest of their games for the day, finishing 2nd in the pool at 3-1. Not winning the pool was probably a good thing as it gave Wisco another game to play on Sunday morning, needing now 5 straight wins starting in pre-prequarterfinals to take the 7th straight Mardi Gras Title.

Wisconsin rolled the first two games easily and then controlled Minnesota in semifinals for a solid win. Illinois was over-matched in finals as the Hodags devoured the King Cake. Dave Wiseman finally played up to his potential, grabbing 9 D's on the weekend, 3 more than Zach Ehler's 6.
Next up: Stanford Invite in 11 days!
UPA RANKINGS

Stevinson Invite
Wisconsin rocks Texas to start the day, up 10-0 before winning 13-3.

Trouble in Vegas 2010

The Hodags have strong legs. It was 28 degrees and a little icy still. 18 college students linger at the bottom of Bascom hill, staring upward into 370 explosions of pain. 9 sprint races to the top later - and 4 kids had puked. Like I said, the Hodags have strong heart. Their ultimate skills are something to be desired yet this early in the season.

Wisconsin powers through shenanigans at the airport in which Jerry manages to earn 3 plane tickets by giving up his seat to a teammate.

Wisconsin plays Oregon first and loses 11-13 in a well played game. Eli Janin was dropping deep bombs to stationary targets. The Hodags had to fight through some awkward cutting at the beginning. Once the down field problems cleared up, Wisconsin was playing more confident and rolled Stanford 11-6 in the second game. Florida jumps out to 0-2 lead, Wisconsin responds to 5-2. It goes 6-6 before Florida takes half 6-7, and then oatbags for the win 6-13. It was described as fairly horrible to watch as Madison self-combusted down the stretch.

Rain postpones games for day 2. Party begins.

Wisconsin is scrimmaging Carleton. Bergen struggles early and Carleton takes a 1-4 lead. Wisconsin fights back a bit, but still down 5-8 at half. Wisconsin digs deep as Jerry McGinnis begins tormenting Grant Lindsley to tie the game at 11-11. Wisco then holds off several match point chances and comes back to win 17-16 on universe. Kanner was feeling the pressure.
The last mini game to 7 against Brown is won by the Hodags 7-5.
One week to Mardi Gras..