Game On!

Being a Warhawk

Warhawks Don't Leave Anything on the Field!
Warhawks Always play through the whistle!

Warhawks Don't try to do too much!
Warhawks Always do EVERYTHING they can!

Warhawks Don't point fingers!
Warhawks Always pick up their teammates!

Warhawks don't vary their assignments!
Warhawks Always  trust their teammates!

Warhawks Don't lose their composure!
Warhawks Always hit hard!

Warhawks don't put themselves over their team.
Warhawks Always lift up their teammates.

Warhawks Don't worry about a mistake.
Warhawks Always make up for it on the next play.

Warhawks don't worry about being fancy.
Warhawks Always focus on execution.

Warhawks don't doubt.
Warhawks don't fear.
Warhawks don't play tight.
Warhawks Always have fun and believe!

The Warhawks aren't just a team,
The Warhawks are a family!
GO 'HAWKS!

Quarterfinal Projections

Wesley 45
UMHB 24
First premier offense against UMHB in weeks.

Mount Union 49
Alfred 7
Too much, well, everything for Saxons.

Bethel 14
St. Thomas 13
Royals secure the ball better than last time.

UW-Whitewater 31
North Central College 14
Watch the cream rise in the snow.

December: The Greatest Football Month


One of the most compelling aspects of college football is the significance of every single game.  In the UW-Whitewater football program, the players begin working out together in January. Weight room and speed drill work continues until spring practice.  During spring drills the coaches begin putting the pieces together and working with the players who are part of the program.  After spring drills, the players continue to work the weight, agility, and speed programs until they report for training camp in August.  They are joined by incoming freshmen and an occasional transfer student.


The first weekend of September, the pre-conference games begin.  The first weekend of October, the seven week battle for the WIAC championship kicks off.  For the sixth consecutive season, the Warhawks won at least a share of the conference championship and earned a bid to the Division 3 National Championship Playoffs.  The playoff field is comprised on 32 teams with one goal: to win a National Championship.  For the sixth consecutive season, UW-Whitewater has won it's first two playoff games and remains one of eight teams standing for the ultimate prize.


After months of hard work, it all comes down to the month of December. Championship Month.  Only eight teams have earned the right to play in December.  The weather turns cold in most sites.  The snow often flies.  The wind picks up.  The competition becomes tougher.   And the prize is in sight.  December.  It's the month that Champions step up and take matters in their own hands.


 Over the past 5 years, only the University of Mount Union can rival the Warhawks' performance in December.  Here is the road UW-W has traveled to Salem over the past five years:


2005
December 3, 2005
The Warhawks travel to #1 seeded Linfield, the defending National Champion.  In one of the most exciting games on record, the Warhawks upset the Wildcats 44-41 when Justin Beaver scored on a one yard run with 42 seconds left in the game to seal the win.  In this classic battle, the Wildcats and Warhawks gained over 1,000 yards in total offense and the lead changed hands 11 times.


December 10, 2005
The Warhawks hosted the Wesley College Wolverines.  The Hawks served notice that this would be a long day when Rob Widuch tackled Rob Nelson in the end zone for a safety 11 seconds into the game.  UW-W went on to outgain the Wolverines by over 300 yards and captured 4 takeaways in a 58-6 romp and their first Stagg Bowl date with Mount Union.


2006
December 2, 2006
The Warhawks hosted the 12th ranked St. John's Johnnies.  This was a fierce defensive battle.  Neither team gained 300 yards of offense.  Justin Beaver scored with 3:39 left in the third quarter  to extend the UW-W lead to 17-7.  The Johnnies scored with 9:01 left in the game to pull within 17-14. However, that became the final when the Johnnies were unable to advance past their own 39 after that point.


December 9, 2006
The 3rd ranked Wesley Wolverines visited Whitewater in the semi-finals for the second consecutive year, determined to avenge the embarrassing loss in 2005.  The Warhawks proved way too much for Wesley as they broke out to a 38-0 halftime lead.  Justin Jacobs threw 5 TD passes on the afternoon.  Wesley scored with 2:19 left in the game to avoid the shutout.  The 44-7 win propelled UW-W to a second consecutive Stagg Bowl appearance.


2007
December 1, 2007
The 12th ranked Wabash Little Giants invaded Perkins Stadium for this quarterfinal matchup.  UW-W imposed their will early as they jumped to a 35-0 halftime lead. Danny Jones threw 3 TD passes in the victory and freshman Aaron Rusch caught a 57 yard 3rd quarter TD pass to complete the scoring in the 47-7 win.


December 8, 2007
The  4th ranked University of Mary Hardin Baylor Crusaders made their second trip of the season to Whitewater after losing on October 27, 41-14.  The Warhawks held the powerful Cru rushing attack to 105 yards on 50 attempts in a hard fought 16-7 victory and earned a trip to Salem for the third consecutive season.


2008
December 6, 2008
The 5th ranked Warhawks hosted the unranked Wartburg Knights.  The Warhawks held a slim 20-17 lead heading into the fourth quarter.  At the beginning of the fourth quarter, Kyle Supianoski blocked a game tying field goal attempt at the beginning of the 4th quarter.  The Warhawks took over at midfield. Antwan Anderson promptly broke a 38 run.  Two plays later, Jeff Donovan hit Jordan Wells on a 13 yard TD to increase the Warhawk margin to 10.  Jace Rindahl sealed the win with a 45 yard interception return with 3:49 left in the game.


December 13, 2008 
UW-W travels to Belton, Texas to take on #4 UMHB.  This game, featuring some of the strongest wind in memory saw the Warhawks score a safety within the first 17 seconds of the game for the second time in the past 3 Decembers.  The game also featured a wind blown kickoff of (-6) yards by the Cru to open the second half.  UW-W dominated to second half, turning a 12-10 halftime lead into a 39-13 victory and  a fourth consecutive Stagg Bowl appearance.


2009
December 5, 2009
The Wittenberg Tigers brought a highly touted defense into Perkins Stadium for this quarterfinal.  UW-W led merely 14-13 with a minute left in the third quarter when Jeff Donovan hit Adam Brandes for a 28 yard TD to extend the lead.  Whitewater dominated the fourth quarter to secure a 31-13 victory.


December 12, 2009
The Warhawks hosted the Linfield Wildcats in a rematch of the 2005 classic.  QB Aaron Boehme passed for one TD and rushed for another as the Wildcats held a 17-13 lead with 8 minutes left in the game.  The play of the game occurred next as Jeff Donovan hit Jordan Wells with a 68 yard pass to the Linfield 1.  Antwan Anderson scored on the next play and UW-W led 20-17.  Jeremy Delbert intercepted Boehme on a 4th and ten with a minute and a half left to secure the win.  Levell Coppage scored from 40 yards out two plays later to secure the 27-17 victory.  UW-W was on it's way to Salem for a fifth consecutive year.

The month of December has seen UW-Whitewater go 10-0 on the road to Salem over the past five years.
Many games have been close. Some not so close.  But not one single team, not one single time, has been able to impose their will on the Warhawks in either the quarter-final or the semi-final round.


The Warhawks have been working hard since January.  They have earned themselves an opportunity to play in December.  December has finally arrived. The snow is flying. The temperatures are colder. The wind is stronger. And the victories are sweeter.

Round 2 Projections

Wesley 24

Montclair State 7

Wolverines ground Red Hawks' running game.

UMHB 34

Thomas More 13

Crusaders strike down Saints in ground game battle.

North Central 24

Ohio Northern 13

Takeaways key to Cardinals' triumph.

UW-Whitewater 55

Trine 14

Warhawks turn Thunder one dimensional.

Mount Union 34

Delaware Valley 10

Purple Raiders' balance overcomes tough Aggies' D.

Cortland State 24

Alfred 17

Red Dragons hand Saxons their third loss.

Linfield 31

St. Thomas 21

Too much Boehme for Tommies.

Bethel 20

Wheaton 17

Royals' D rises up big.

UW-W 52 Franklin 21

Depth. Perhaps no other word so accurately describes the most important difference between a Championship program and the other top programs in NCAA Division 3 football. UW-Whitewater showed off it's depth on Saturday as back-up quarterback Lee Brekke led the Warhawks to a 52-21 First Round Playoff victory over 24th ranked Franklin College (Franklin, Indiana). The decision to play Brekke was well guarded until game time. Blanchard took part in pre-game warmups after suffering a thumb injury in last week's game against UW-LaCrosse, but the coaches were concerned about him banging his thumb and opted for Brekke.

Brekke completed 23 of 30 passes for 292 yards and 4 TD's as UW-W outscored the Grizzlies 31-7 in the second half to advance to a second round game against Trine University (Angola, Indiana) at Perkins Stadium. Perhaps as importantly, Brekke did not turn the ball over, helping the Warhawks to a 4-0 takeaway/giveaway ratio on the afternoon.

For Warhawks fans concerned that the 2010 team's defensive backs have been untested this year, that certainly isn't the case any more. Franklin brought the 6th ranked passing offense and Kyle Ray, the Nation's top ranked QB to Whitewater on Saturday. The Grizzlies are a team perfectly comfortable making their living through the air and certainly gave it their best shot. Ray's air assault included 40 completions in 72 attempts for 373 yards and 3 touchdowns. However, UW-W did intercept Ray 3 times and forced an after-the-catch fumble. Ray came into the game with a completion percentage of 71.8%, 32 touchdowns, and only 6 interceptions. In addition to the 3 interceptions, the UW-W defense held Ray to a 55.6% completion percentage, well below his norm. Ray most certainly wasn't used to the type of pressure he faced on Saturday. Although he was able to to escape the pocket numerous times, he was sacked a season high 6 times.

Franklin's passing game operates at a high level when compared to other playoff teams UW-W will likely face. The Warhawks' next opponent, Trine University, has a very balanced attack. If UW-W can shut down the run, Trine will be much less comfortable trying to rely on a one dimensional passing attack than the Grizzlies. If UW-W beats Trine, either #1 seed North Central College or Ohio Northern awaits. Both of those teams gain more yards running the football than throwing it. However, if UW-W advances to the semi's and beyond, Wesley, Mount Union, and Linfield are three opponents that would likely put the UW-W secondary under the gun again.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of the game Saturday was Franklin's ability to limit the UW-W rushing attack. The Warhawks were held to 3.9 yards per carry on their 40 attempts. The Grizzlies filled the box with 8 men and used a variety of run blitzes to keep Whitewater from dominating on the ground. The Grizzlies were aggressive and physical. It was the first time all year the Warhawks' offensive front was fought to at least a draw in the run game. Having said that, it should be pointed out that leading rusher Levell Coppage did gain 142 yards on 6.7 yards per carry. In the passing game, Brekke was given plenty of time to throw for the most part. Although he was sacked three times, many of Whitewater's longer developing routes were given plenty of time to unfold. While the offensive line might not have been as dominating as UW-W fans are used to seeing, it wouldn't be fair to say they didn't play a solid game. A team doesn't score 52 points without the offensive line playing well.

All-time Warhawks' reception leader Aaron Rusch had a monster day with 12 catches for 169 yards and 3 touchdowns. Adam Brandes added 3 catches for 69 yards, including a huge 54 yard TD pass to open the scoring in the 3rd quarter. With Brekke leading the way, Whitewater demonstrated that a team must focus on more than the run if they are going to stop this offense.

In the grand scheme of things, there are two important things when it comes to playoff games. Winning and staying healthy. UW-W accomplished the first with flying colors. As far as the second, most of us won't know for sure until game time next week. Who will start at quarterback next week? Will any other starters be forced to the sideline next Saturday? Perhaps the biggest question of all: Will it matter? It certainly didn't seem to on Saturday.

First Round Projections

WESLEY BRACKET

Wesley 42

Muhlenberg 10

Not enough offense from Mules to keep up.

Montclair State 24

Hampden-Sydney 13

Red Hawks' defense surprises Tigers.

Thomas More 28

Washington and Lee 14

Saints' playoff experience pays off.

Mary Hardin-Baylor 63

Christopher Newport 7

Captains gave up 33 and lost to Frostburg State. Oh Oh.

NORTH CENTRAL BRACKET

North Central 49

St. Norberts 10

Green Knights' first taste of an elite defense.

Ohio Northern 31

Wittenberg 24 (overtime)

Polar Bears outlast Tigers in a thriller.

Trine 35

DePauw 31

Tigers fail to quiet Thunder's offense.

UW-Whitewater 52

Franklin 14

UW-W's engine just getting warmed up.

MOUNT UNION BRACKET

Mount Union 70

St. Lawrence 7

Purple Raiders begin annual trek to Salem.

Delaware Valley 31

Salisbury 24

Aggies' bounce back to eliminate Gulls.

Alfred 27

SUNY-Maritime 21

Saxons have a little too much offense for Privateers.

Cortland State 45

Endicott 10

Red Dragons have too much pedigree for Gulls.

ST. THOMAS BRACKET

St. Thomas 56

Benedictine 7

Eagles exposed to D3 gap.

Linfield 35

Cal Lutheran 21

No Mo'. No Advance.

Bethel 24

Wartburg 14

Royals defense holds down Knights.

Wheaton 34

Coe 24

Healthy Roberts the difference.

D3 Top 25 Fan Poll

1. UWW (13) 325

2. Mount Union 311

3. North Central 296

4. Wesley 283

5. St. Thomas 277

6. UMHB 258

7. Linfield 232

Ohio Northern 232

9. Wartburg 204

10. Trine 182

11. Thomas More 181

Wittenberg 181

13. Coe 161

14. Wheaton 146

15. Bethel 143

16. California Lutheran 124

17. Delaware Valley 118

18. Hardin Simmons 115

19. Pacific Lutheran 95

20. Cortland State 61

21. Hampden-Sydney 58

22. Rowan 56

23. Franklin 51

Montclair St. 51

25. Central 45

Also Receiving Votes: Wabash (27), Washington and Lee (4), Salisbury (3), Depauw (2), Redlands (2), SUNY Maritime (1)