The defending NCAA D3 National Champion UW-Whitewater Warhawks enter the 2010 season having won 5 consecutive WIAC Championships and sporting a 34-1 record over that span. The average score in those 35 games is UWW 36.0 WIAC Opponent 11.6. Coach Lance Leipold, whose teams have won 2 National Championships in his three years as head coach, knows all too well that all those conference numbers are reset to zero beginning at 6:00 PM September 30, when the conference season kicks off at UW-Platteville. “Each year’s team is different and you have to come out and find out what your identity is going to be and it is a work in progress early in every season.” Leipold told Warhawkfootball.com as the UW-W broke training camp on August 27th.
So, what is "different" about the 2010 version of the Warhawks? The most logical place to start is behind center. Two year starting QB Jeff Donovan is gone. Donovan led the WIAC in passing efficiency a year ago completing 71.9% of his passes with 29 TD's and only 6 interceptions. He was an unquestioned team leader and will be missed. Junior Matt Blanchard has been leading the field to replace Donovan throughout camp. Blanchard has a different style than Donovan. He is extremely athletic and will likely be quicker to pull the ball down and run than the patient Donovan.
UW-W will return 4 of their 5 starting offensive linemen, but must find a replacement for First Team All-WIAC Center Garth Coats. UW-W must also find replacements for fullback Max Wasikowski and 2nd leading receiver Jordan Wells. However, UW-W does return 5 of their top 6 receivers, including UW-W all time leading receiver Aaron Rusch and tight end John Novak.
Number three running back CJ Miller will not be back in 2010. He was a great teammate and special teams player. He was also an excellent running back that would have started in many programs. However, little else has changed in the Warhawk backfield. Returning is First Team All American running back, junior Levell Coppage. Coppage rushed for 2,107 yards ( 6.8 ypc) and 35 TD's a year ago. Antwan Anderson (5.0 ypc and 9 TD's last year) also returns for his senior season. Former Wisconsin Badger Booker Stanley is also expected to play a role.
Defensively, UW-W ranked first in the WIAC in both scoring and total defense in 2009 giving up 276.9 ypg and 10.6 ppg. Up front, the Warhawks lose standout DE Anthony White (First Team All-WIAC) and Justin Ankley (2nd Team ALL-WIAC). Returning will be 2nd Team All WIAC Jon Baldwin and Wesley Hicks. Lane Olson, Max Ford, Greg Arnold, and Josh Williams return to lead a strong and deep linebacker unit. However, only Matthew McCulloch returns as a starter in the defensive backfield. According to Defensive Coordinator Brian Borland, although lacking experience, the group of defensive backs in 2010 may be even more athletic than 2009's group.
The defending national and WIAC champions come into the 2010 season with a different team, but the same mission. As Coach Leipold says, this team must form it's own identity. But given the level of talent on this football team, it's hard to argue with the many prognosticators who pick UW-W to win a 6th consecutive WIAC title. The conference quest begins September 30th.
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