On the way to the 2010 NCAA Division III national championship UW-Whitewater’s “3-headed monster” at tailback of Levell Coppage, Antwan Anderson and Booker Stanley combined for 3,593 yards and 38 touchdowns.
This year’s running back corps looks a bit different with just five tailbacks on the UW-Whitewater preseason roster.
Leading the way will again be Levell Coppage who will open the season just 909 yards shy of the UW-Whitewater and WIAC career rushing record currently held by former Warhawk, Justin Beaver.
The only other running back returning from UWW’s 2010 roster is sophomore Evan Wright. As a freshman, Wright totaled just five rushes for a total of 9 yards.
The remainder of the Warhawks tailback corps this season will be first year players in the UWW football program.
Desmin Ward is a junior transfer that brings a “big body” (6’4”, 240 lb) to the Warhawks’ running attack. Ward participated in spring drills earlier this year after playing two seasons at Eastern Illinois University. Ward was recruited EIU out of Milwaukee Hamilton High School.
The two freshman recruits are: Colton Sweitzer (Hartland-Arrowhead HS) and Byron Stanford (Mount Carmel H.S.-Chicago).
Hawk head coach Lance Leipold indicated at Monday’s media day press conference that the “learning curve” will be steep early on for the young running backs.
Through his first three seasons at tailback for the Warhawks, Coppage has been able to put up staggering statistics.
The senior out of Oak Park-River Forest (IL) High School currently has rushed for 5,675 yards and opens the season 1,779 yards shy of second place on the NCAA Division III career rushing list.
RJ Bowers of Grove City (PA) College (1997-2000) is ranked No. 2 on the Division III career rushing list with 7,353 yards.
Nate Kmic of Mount Union (2005-2008) is not only No. 1 on the Division III career rushing list with 8,074 yards, but also is the all-time leading rusher at any Division of NCAA football.
No comments:
Post a Comment