Wednesday, August 10, 2011

2011 Running Backs Postion Preview

Editor’s Note: The following is the fourth of a week-long series of stories taking a look at the Warhawks – position by position – as the team enters training camp this weekend)

The ability to Pound the Rock - AKA - run the football - has been the life-blood of UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks have had at least one 1000 yard rusher every year but one since 2000.

This year’s UWW running back stable will again feature Levell Coppage. The dynamic, 5-foot-8, 180 lb. tailback enters his senior season with the a rather impressive resume.

Coppage has earned first team All-America honors each of his first three years. He rushed for 1,461 yards as a freshman, followed by 2,107 yards in both 2009 and 2010. He averaged over six yards per carry the last two years and has totaled 81 rushing touchdowns in his career, the school and Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference record. A First Team All-WIAC pick three times, Coppage was named the league's MVP in 2009 and 2010.

What’s even more amazing about Levell’s statistics is the rushing yards each year from the “other” Warhawk running backs the past three seasons. Anwan Anderson, the “thunder” in the Warhawks’ “thunder and lightning” running back duo the past three years. Anderson finished his career with 2601 yards (11th all-time) and 28 TDs (Tied for 7th all-time) in the UWW record book.

Going one step further – the No. 3 tailbacks the past two seasons (Booker Stanley 2010 and CJ Miller 2009) combined for 1150 yards and 15 TDs. Give big-time credit veteran UWW running backs coach Nelson Edmunds for his development of running back’s talent each season.

Meanwhile, Evan Wright returns for his second season with the Warhawks.

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