How will Wittenberg attack UWW?

Much has been made of the Wittenberg Tigers #1 ranked defense as they prepare to visit Perkins Stadium on Saturday. And there's no question that the matchup between the Tigers defense and the UWW high powered offense offers plenty of intrigue. However, another question will be answered Saturday when Wittenberg has the ball: How will Wittenberg's offense attack the powerful UWW defense?

Wittenberg comes into the game with an incredibly balanced offense:

RUSHING: 2746 yards and 31 TD's

PASSING: 2723 yards and 29 TD's.

In the playoffs, the Tigers opening opponent was Mt. St. Joseph, a team that had given up 145 YPG and 3.9 YPC on the ground. Wittenberg went heavy on the ground rushing 58 times for 324 yards and 5 TD's. In Round 2, The Tigers went against Trine who gave up 133.5 YPG and 3.7 YPC. Once again, the Tigers hit the ground game hard, carrying the ball 56 times for 260 yards. QB Aaron Huffman went 16-22, for 208 yds, 1 interception, and 5 TD's.

Leading rusher Corey Weber has rushed for 1145 yards this year, including 204 last week against Trine. Weber is spelled by Conner Warye ( 596 yards) and Jeff Wilbur (556 yards). In addition Aaron Huffman has rushed for 380 yards from the QB position.

Moving into the quarterfinals, Wittenberg will like deploy a vastly different strategy against the powerful UWW defense. UWW gives up a paltry 2.5 yards per carry against the run this season. Defensive End Anthony White, Linebacker Kyle Supionoski, and Cornerback Troney Shumpert, all First Team WIAC selections lead a defense that has not given up much on the ground all season long. In Round 1, the Warhawks defense held a weak running Lakeland College Muskies to 63 yards in 35 attempts. Last week Illinois Western University, the CCIW Champions, came into the game averaging 173.5 YPG on the ground. UWW held the Titans to 30 yards in 22 attempts. All season long, the UWW defense has been staunch, gap disciplined, and hard hitting. If Wittenberg is successful establishing a meaningful rushing attack, they will be the first to do so this year against the Warhawks.

The Tigers may well choose or be forced to take to the air against the Warhawks on Saturday.

Huffman has five receivers at his disposal who have caught at least 10 passes this year. The top three, Josh Mckee, Patrick Williams, and Michael Cooper have combined for 141 catches, 2106 yards, and 25 TD's.

Moving the ball through the air can be a dangerous proposition at the Perk. UWW has accumulated 8 interceptions in it's first two playoff games this year and is undoubtedly hungry for more. UW-Whitewater fans have watched a number of opponents have some success on certain plays through the air, especially early in the game. However, as the defense makes adjustments, they begin to successfully disrupt the offensive rhythm, and it is usually not too much longer before the interceptions start coming.

But first things first. UWW defensive coordinator Brian Borland will undoubtedly be stressing the importance of shutting down the Tigers running attack first. Making a team one dimensional goes a long way towards getting the all important takeaways. UWW will likely be the most talented and the most physical team Wittenberg has faced. Are they up to the challenge? We'll know in less than 48 hours.