UW-Platteville at UW-Whitewater GAMEDAY CENTRAL

The UW-Whitewater football team has plenty of work to do if it wants to get to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for a seventh consecutive season. The No. 1 goal each year for the Warhawks is to win the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and get an automatic berth in the Division III playoffs.

The Hawks (3-0) conference journey opens Saturday afternoon when the two-time defending national championship open the WIAC portion of the schedule by hosting UW-Platteville in the annual Family Day game at Perkins Stadium.

Platteville enters Saturday’s game with a 3 & 1 mark and coming off a 17-14 victory over UW-La Crosse last Saturday in the Pioneer’s conference opener.

Platteville opened the season with a 38-3 win over Buena Vista (Iowa). The Pioneers raised eyebrows around the conference as the result of a 26-3 win at UW-Stevens Point.

The Pioneers only loss of the season was a 24-13 loss to 7th ranked Wheaton (Illinois). The Pioneers had the ball, with a chance to win late in the fourth quarter only to turn the ball over deep in its own territory allowing Wheaton to score a late touchdown.

UW-Whitewater is coming off its bye-week after rolling to three consecutive non-conference wins.

Two-weeks ago UWW scored early and often in a 54-14 win over Campbellsville (Kentucky) who entered the game ranked No. 17 in the NAIA national poll.

Whitewater and Platteville ranked one-two in WIAC scoring defense and rush defense heading into Saturday’s game.

The Warhawks and Pioneers will also be playing for the Miner’s Pick Trophy that goes to the winner of the George Chryst Memorial Bowl.

The following are helpful links for following today's Platteville at Whitewater football action.

UWP @ UWW Game LIVE STATS CLICK HERE

LIVE UWP @ UWW KOOL 106.5 Game Broadcast CLICK HERE

LIVE WPVL/WGLR UW-Platteville Game Broadcast CLICK HERE

UW-Whitewater Game-Day Notes CLICK HERE

UW-Platteville Game-Day Notes CLICK HERE

Daily Jefferson County Union UWP-UWW Pregame Story CLICK HERE

Janesville Gazette UWP @ UWW Pregame Story CLICK HERE

Leipold makes appearance on the Sporting News Network Tim Brando Show

UW-Whitewater’s football program received a good dose of national exposure Thursday morning. Hawk head coach Lance Leipold spent nearly eight minutes on a phone-in interview with Tim Brando on his Sporting News Network daily program.

Leipold often listens to the program while working in his Student Athletic Complex office. Recently, Brando sent out an open invitation for football programs around the country – no matter what division – to send him a helmet that would be placed on shelf on the show’s TV set.

Lance responded and not long after was asked to be on the show.

What was impressive is the amount of solid preparation Brando did in advance of the interview. His knowledge of Whitewater football was actually much better than a similar national interview on ESPN last season. The segment was led off with the UW-Whitewater fight song.

One of the funniest parts of the interview was when Brando asked Coach Leipold discovered his show. In a typical Lance deadpan response, he indicated it was when the TV cable coming into the SAC added the Tim Brando Show to its cable line-up.

As the interview concluded Brando told Leipold that “We’re going to keep tabs on you all season long,” Brando said. “You have become our favorite Division III team. We are going to keep up with you as the season rolls on.
You noticed us – and now we’re going to notice you the rest of the Fall campaign.”

“Thank you Tim – we’re very flattered,” Leipold responded. “We’re very honored to have the chance to be on your program.”

USA Today is scheduled to be in Whitewater on Friday to do an article on the UW-Whitewater football program

A hoard of national media is hunkered down in Madison in advance of Saturday’s nationally televised Nebraska vs. Wisconsin football game at Camp Randall Stadium.

Wednesday was a good day for Luka Ogrizovich

(Editor's Note: I spent the day today getting the Luka Ogrizovich medical battle, along with Russell Wilson and teammates visit to Children's Hospital in Madison, to visit Luka to ABC College Football producers. Hopefully ABC will relay Luka's battle to the millions watching Saturday night's Nebraska vs Wisconsin game on ABC - I'll try to keep you updated)

The biggest news today has been a successful day in surgery for Luka Ogrizovich. The following is Dad's (Ryan's) nightly journal on the caringbridge Website.

Good evening everyone!

We have nothing but good news to report, so here it goes.

#1 - Luka's surgery today was successful. We were lucky again to have one of the best Neurosurgeons, Dr. Iskandar, working on our little man.

#2 - The Neurosurgeon discovered that what they had assumed was an Abscess in his brain was actually a Hematoma (or collection of blood). A biopsy was sent and we will recieve confirmation within a couple of days. We were relieved to find out that it wasn't an Abscess because that would mean an aggressive dose of various antibiotics for a while to help fight the infection. Infections in little, sick babies are never welcomed!

#3 - Essentially, the biggest piece of encouraging news recieved after yesterday and today was that Luka's brain does not appear to have sustained any sort of permanent damage or injury. The doctors and Genetic Specialists admitted today that, based on their experience with cases like Luka, they were expecting some sort of damage... God did an amazing job protecting his perfect little brain throughout the past few weeks and I think saying that we are incredibly grateful is an understatement.

The plan for the evening will be for Luka to recover and get back on track- we are hoping that he will be able to get rid of his breathing tube on Friday or Saturday.

As always we appreciate the love and support from everyone. Your prayers are working!!! Let's keep those coming so we can all help get Luka through this and get him home!

He continues to impress us everyday. More to come tomorrow.

Love,

Ryan and Mal

For more on Luka Ogrizovich and thoughts of Mal and Ryan (Griz), and to sign Little Griz's guestbook CLICK HERE

Members of the UW football team visit Luka Ogrizovich at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison

In the adjacent photo at American Family Children's Hospital in Madison are: Russell Wilson (left), Griz (left-center), Aaron Henry (right-center) and Ethan Armstrong (right)

(Editor’s Note: I am attempting to get the following Luka Ogrizovich story to ABC Sports that will be telecasting the Nebraska-Wisconsin football game Saturday night at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison)

The following is reprinted off the Luka Ogrizovich Caringbridge Journal Website

Friday, September 23, 2011 6:16 PM, CDT

Another cool thing for Luka was that a few players from the Badger football team visited today (last Friday). This did include Russell Wilson, Ethan Armstrong and Aaron Henry. They gave Luka a signed program for tomorrow's game and he had his picture taken with them. It was pretty cool. They had heard through Dr. Brazelton that I played football and Whitewater and I was actually wearing a UWW football shirt today. So we talked about that for about a minute and then I redirected them to my baby boy.

I was excited for him to be able to meet them and they were very nice about it. They told him to keep fighting little man. I'll hopefully have more photos from that up later, but there is one on there that the doctor took while I was talking about him.

Hopefully Brent Musberger or Erin Andrews will have this story to tell on Saturday night’s ABC telecast of the UW vs. Nebraska national telecast!

To access the Caringbridge.org-Luka Website link CLICK HERE

Miner's Pick at stake in Saturday's George Chryst Bowl

The 19th Annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl takes place Saturday afternoon when the UW-Platteville Pioneers invade Perkins Stadium to take on the Warhawks.

The George Chryst Memorial Bowl is played in honor of George Chryst, the Pioneer coach from 1979 until his sudden death in 1992 at age 55.

Chryst guided the Pioneers to a 79-60-2 mark, with winning records in nine of his 14 seasons. He led the Pioneers to their last league title in 1980.

The WIAC coaches thought so much of him that the league’s Coach of the Year Award is named in his honor. At the urging of former coaches Jim Kinder (UWP) and Bob Berezowitz (UWW), the annual game is dedicated in his memory.

Following each season's Whitewater vs. Platteville football game George’s widow, Patty, presents the player of the game awards at midfield voted on by the assembled media at the game.

Saturday’s UW-Platteville at UW-Whitewater football game will be 18th Annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl.

The George Chryst Memorial Bowl is played in honor of the late Pioneer coach, who compiled a 79-60-2 mark in 1979 until his sudden death in 1992.

Instituted in 1993, the Miner's Pick goes to the winner of the George Chryst Bowl game between UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater.

The trophy, patterned after the legendary Paul Bunyan's Axe that has gone to the winner of the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota football game each year since 1890.
The Warhawks defeated the Pioneers 49-17 last year in Platteville to claim the Pick for a sixth consecutive season.

Whitewater has defeated the Pioneers in 16 of the 18 George Chryst Memorial Games.

(Year-by-Year George Chryst Memorial Bowl Results)
(2010) UW-Whitewater 48, UW-Platteville 17 (at Platteville)
(2009) UW-Whitewater 35, UW-Platteville 3 (at Whitewater)
(2008) UW-Whitewater 52, UW-Platteville 13 (at Platteville)
(2007) UW-Whitewater 21, UW-Platteville 7 (at Whitewater)
(2006) UW-Whitewater 49, UW-Platteville 21 (at Platteville)
(2005) UW-Whitewater 63, UW-Platteville 28 (at Whitewater)
(2004) UW-Platteville 7, UW-Whitewater 6 (at Platteville)
(2003) UW-Whitewater 20, UW-Platteville 14 (at Whitewater)
(2002) UW-Whitewater 36, UW-Platteville 33 (at Platteville)
(2001) UW-Platteville 27, UW-Whitewater 26 (at Whitewater)
(2000) UW-Whitewater 26, UW-Platteville 6 (at Platteville)
(1999) UW-Whitewater 55, UW-Platteville 20 (at Whitewater)
(1998) UW-Whitewater 27, UW-Platteville 21 (at Platteville)
(1997) UW-Whitewater 58, UW-Platteville 18 (at Whitewater)
(1996) UW-Whitewater 56, UW-Platteville 14 (at Platteville)
(1995) UW-Whitewater 17, UW-Platteville 12 (at Whitewater)
(1994) UW-Whitewater 36, UW-Platteville 17 (at Whitewater)
(1993) UW-Whitewater 23, UW-Platteville 14 (at Platteville)

The 17th Annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl takes place Saturday afternoon when the UW-Platteville Pioneers invade Perkins Stadium to take on the Warhawks.
The George Chryst Memorial Bowl is played in honor of George Chryst, the Pioneer coach from 1979 until his sudden death in 1992 at age 55.
Chryst guided the Pioneers to a 79-60-2 mark, with winning records in nine of his 14 seasons. He led the Pioneers to their last league title in 1980.
The WIAC coaches thought so much of him that the league’s Coach of the Year Award is named in his honor. At the urging of former coaches Jim Kinder (UWP) and Bob Berezowitz (UWW), the annual game is dedicated in his memory.
George’s widow, Patty, presents the player of the game awards at midfield voted on by the assembled media at the game.
Saturday’s UW-Platteville at UW-Whitewater football game

The George Chryst Memorial Bowl is played in honor of the late Pioneer coach, who compiled a 79-60-2 mark in 1979 until his sudden death in 1992.

Instituted in 1993, the Miner's Pick goes to the winner of the George Chryst Bowl game between UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater.
The trophy, patterned after the legendary Paul Bunyan's Axe that has gone to the winner of the Wisconsin vs. Minnesota football game each year since 1890.
The Warhawks defeated the Pioneers 49-17 last year in Platteville to claim the Pick for a sixth consecutive season.

Whitewater has defeated the Pioneers in 16 of the 18 George Chryst Memorial Games.

(2010) UW-Whitewater 48, UW-Platteville 17 (at Platteville)
(2009) UW-Whitewater 35, UW-Platteville 3 (at Whitewater)
(2008) UW-Whitewater 52, UW-Platteville 13 (at Platteville)
(2007) UW-Whitewater 21, UW-Platteville 7 (at Whitewater)
(2006) UW-Whitewater 49, UW-Platteville 21 (at Platteville)
(2005) UW-Whitewater 63, UW-Platteville 28 (at Whitewater)
(2004) UW-Platteville 7, UW-Whitewater 6 (at Platteville)
(2003) UW-Whitewater 20, UW-Platteville 14 (at Whitewater)
(2002) UW-Whitewater 36, UW-Platteville 33 (at Platteville)
(2001) UW-Platteville 27, UW-Whitewater 26 (at Whitewater)
(2000) UW-Whitewater 26, UW-Platteville 6 (at Platteville)
(1999) UW-Whitewater 55, UW-Platteville 20 (at Whitewater)
(1998) UW-Whitewater 27, UW-Platteville 21 (at Platteville)
(1997) UW-Whitewater 58, UW-Platteville 18 (at Whitewater)
(1996) UW-Whitewater 56, UW-Platteville 14 (at Platteville)
(1995) UW-Whitewater 17, UW-Platteville 12 (at Whitewater)
(1994) UW-Whitewater 36, UW-Platteville 17 (at Whitewater)
(1993) UW-Whitewater 23, UW-Platteville 14 (at Platteville)

Warhawk fans - let's Pack the Perk on Saturday vs. Platteville

Let’s get Perkins Stadium rockin’ on Saturday when the unbeaten UW-Whitewater football team plays host to UW-Platteville in Family Day 2011 at the
"Perk."

The annual Family Day game attendance has been a “record breaker” over the last three years. Last year’s Family Day game vs. UW-Stout drew a UW-Whitewater and WIAC record crowd of 12,129 to Perkins Stadium. The previous school record crowd of 11,028 turned out for the 2008 Family Day game vs. UW-La Crosse. Whitewater’s 2009 Family Day game vs. UW-Platteville drew a crowd of 9,157 to the “Perk.”

UW-Whitewater football currently ranks 4th in Division III attendance after drawing 6,823 to the Hawks only home game of the season – vs. Campbellsville (Kentucky) two weeks ago.

St. Johns (Minnesota) annually leads the nation in Division III attendance. The Johnnies top D3 attendance entering the weekend by averaging 9,041 fans per game at Clemons Stadium including a season-high 12,211 at last Saturday’s loss to MIAC rival Augsburg.

Whitewater has finished second behind St. Johns in regular season game attendance in each of the last three years.

A reminder, kickoff for Saturday’s WIAC opener vs. UW-Platteville is 2 p.m. The weather forecast is calling for an outstanding autumn day in southern Wisconsin with sunshine and a high temperature in the mid-to-upper 50s.

With the late kickoff – it will be a great day to get the your Perkins Stadium tailgate location and have plenty of time to get your “game face” on.
Voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com Faces in the Crowd photographer Jhanay Smith will be snapping pregame, tailgate photos on Saturday – make sure to welcome her to your tailgate location!

The Warhawk football team is in search of its fourth NCAA Division III National Championship this year – lets do our part by Packing the Perk on Saturday!

Voices Weekly Random Thoughts

• The Warhawks continue preparations for Saturday’s WIAC opener vs. UW-Platteville Saturday afternoon at Perkins Stadium. The Pioneers will bring a 3-1 record into the “Perk” including wins over Stevens Point and La Crosse. Platteville is a team you better respect.

• It is Family Day at the Perk on Saturday – traditionally the top attended home game of the season. The Family Day attendance the last three years include: 12,189 (2010), 9157 (2009), 11,028 (2008).

• Remember it will be a 2 p.m. kickoff on Saturday and the Klements Racing Sausages will be challenging Willie Warhawk to a “loser leaves town” challenge race at halftime.

• It may have been U-Dub-Dub’s bye week last weekend but with the Brewers clinching a divisional championship on Friday night, the Badgers rolling over South Dakota on Saturday and the Packers beating da’ Bears on Sunday it was a great sports weekend wasn’t it?

• The Brewers postgame celebration with the fans on Friday night brought back memories of one of my top-5 sports moments of all time. I was a huge Minnesota Twins fan growing up and the Twins shocked the world by beating Detroit on a late September night in Detroit to win the AL Central Division Title. Two hours after the game over 60,000 had made it to the Metrodome for a welcome back celebration. Me and a carload of friends made the 75 minute to Minneapolis to join the celebration. It ranked right up their with watching the Hawks on there current streak.

• All signs are pointing to Prince Fielder accepting the big bucks and leaving the Brewers following Milwaukee’s playoff run. The money thrown at Prince will be too much to turn down. Prince may get the cash – but he’ll never have as much fun as he had this year with the Brewers.

• Don’t forget that Quarterback Club is every Wednesday evening at Saxes’ Lone Star Inn on Hwy 12 a couple miles west of Whitewater. Social begins at 6 p.m. with a buffet dinner at 7 p.m. Don’t be square – make sure you’re there!

• Mount Union stayed unbeaten Saturday night with a 66-7 win over Wilmington at Mount Union Stadium. The Purple Raiders outgained Wilmington 671-115, which included a 437-62 margin in the first half.
Mount Union head coach Larry Kehres is one of the classiest coaches in the country. Despite the ultra lopsided win, Coach Kehres refused to throw the outmanned Wilmington club “under the bus” following the game.
“Wilmington has improved greatly from the time we saw them last season (in the third game) against the same teams they faced last year. They were much more competitive this season going into this game,” Kehres said in an honest tone. “The defense did a great job taking away the run and forcing them into becoming one dimensional by throwing the ball.”

• And finally, a belated happy birthday to Kim Smith, my youngest daughter and to Sierra Folberg, one of my granddaughters.

GO WARHAWKS!!

Monday Morning Around The WIAC

• UW-Platteville and UW-Oshkosh look like they will be strong challengers to UW-Whitewater for the 2011 WIAC title.

• UW-P handed La Crosse its fourth straight loss of the season 17-14 Saturday in Platteville.

• Platteville ranks No. 2 in both scoring defense and rush defense in the WIAC through the first four weeks of the season.

• Platteville travels to Perkins Stadium for Whitewater’s annual Family Day game. The Family Day game has drawn more than 10,000 fans over the past three seasons. Kickoff Saturday is set for 2 p.m.

• The Warhawks are coming off it’s 2011 bye week.

• UW-Oshkosh completely dominated Stout 56-10 in Menomonie last Thursday night. Oshkosh racked up 535 yards of offense and seven touchdowns of at least 25 yards in the two team’s “in-conference/non-conference game at Don and Nona Williams Stadium.

• UW-Stevens Point ran its record to 2 & 1 on the season with a 14-3 non-conference win at Albion (Michigan).

• Coming up on Saturday will be the first full weekend of conference games.

D3football.com's Pat Coleman will join Gary & Tom on Monday evening's KOOL 106.5 UWW Coaches Show

NCAA Division III football will take center stage on Monday evening’s KOOL 106.5 UW-Whitewater Coaches Show. Hawk head coach Lance Leipold will be talking to Gary Douglas and Tom “Voice” Pattison to lead off the show at 6:00 p.m.

D3football.com’s Pat Coleman will join the boys at 6:15 p.m. to talk about the story that broke late last week that this year’s Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl will be played on Friday night, Dec. 16, with a 7 p.m. scheduled air time on ESPNU.

The City of Salem, Virginia issued a release Friday afternoon. "This is a great move for the championship," says Brad Bankston, Commissioner of the Old Dominion Athletic Conference. "Playing at night will provide the city and NCAA the opportunity to spotlight Division III football in primetime, which is something we have wanted since that 2001 game."

To listen to the live audio stream of Monday evening’s (6-6:30 p.m.) KOOL 106.5 UW-Whitewater Coaches Show CLICK HERE

2011 Stagg Bowl moving to Friday night

(Editor's Note: The following story has been reprinted from D3football.com)

The Division III football championship game will be returning to prime time for the first time since 2001, as Stagg Bowl XXXIX will be played on Friday night, Dec. 16, with a 7 p.m. scheduled air time on one of the ESPN networks, D3sports.com has learned.

The change was made to accommodate the broadcast schedule, according to sources close to the schedule-making decision. The Saturday broadcast schedule is too fluid, with the potential of a Mountain Time or Pacific Time semifinal in the FCS playoffs making a Saturday game difficult.

With the game on Friday night, other activities scheduled for the week will likely be adjusted as well, with the Gagliardi Trophy ceremony potentially moving to Wednesday night and the team banquet possibly moving to Thursday evening.

The last time the Stagg Bowl was played in prime time, 2001, it drew a standing room-only crowd to Salem Stadium, helped by the appearance of Bridgewater (Va.), a local favorite.

UW-Oshkosh rolls in Thursday night WIAC game at Stout

UW-Oshkosh rushed for 370 yards and scored 14 points in every quarter to demolish UW-Stout, 56-10, on Thursday (Sept. 22) in Menomonie. The game was a non-conference bout between the WIAC rivals.

Nate Wara highlighted the offensive showcase with 185 rushing yards, while his two tailbacks each averaged better than 14 yards per carry. Justin Budiac totaled 74 yards on the ground as Cole Myhra churned out 69 more. The passing game was also effective, with Garrie Fox registering 131 yards on six catches.

UW-Stout (2-1) had allowed just 114 rushing yards per game entering the night, while the UW-Oshkosh (2-1) offense averaged 108. The Titans’ quarterback, backfield and offensive line more than tripled both of those figures. UW-Oshkosh’s point total was its highest since scoring 62 against Lakeland College during 2007.

UW-Oshkosh compiled 535 yards overall, with Wara hitting 11-of-16 passes for 172 yards and two touchdowns. The Blue Devils (316 yards) won the time of possession category by holding the ball for almost 35 minutes. UW-Stout also equaled UW-Oshkosh’s total of 19 first downs. The major difference came in yards per play, where the Titans averaged nine yards to the Blue Devils’ four.

Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel publishes an outstanding feature article on Lance Leipold

In just his fourth game as head football coach at UW-Whitewater in 2007, Lance Leipold wondered, for a fleeting second, what he had gotten himself into.

The Warhawks trailed UW-La Crosse, 28-10, early in the fourth quarter. They had lost two weeks earlier to St. Cloud State, and if they lost this game, they would be 2-2 and Leipold would have lost as many games as his predecessor, the retired Bob Berezowitz, had lost in the previous two seasons combined.

"I remember thinking late in the third quarter, 'Thank God I'm renting right now,' " Leipold said.

The Warhawks scored 25 unanswered points that day to beat La Crosse, 35-28, and didn't lose another game that season.

And Leipold and Whitewater have been practically unbeatable since.

The Warhawks, the two-time defending NCAA Division III national champions, and ranked No. 1 by D3football.com, and currently are sporting a 33-game winning streak - the longest in college football.

While the defending Super Bowl champion Green Bay Packers dominate headlines and the University of Wisconsin stirs passions throughout the state, the Warhawks keep piling up victories and titles in the relative obscurity of Division III.

To read the D’Amato Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel feature Whitewater, Leipold an unbeatable combination Leipold CLICK HERE

Warhawks Crunch Campbellsville 54-7

(Editor's Note: The following story is courtesy of Tom Fick, UW-Whitewater Sports Information)

(In the above photo - Desmin Ward rumbles 48 yards for a 1st quarter touchdown in the Warhawks 54-14 victory over Campbellsville (KentuckY) at Perkins Stadium - Tom Pattison photo)

The UW-Whitewater football team was excited to finally get to play a game at Perkins Stadium following wins over at UW-La Crosse and Franklin, Indiana to open the season.

The Hawks rode that excitement to 23 first quarter points and a 37-7 halftime lead on the way to a 54-14 romp over Campbellsville University Saturday afternoon in front of 6,823 fans at Perkins Stadium.

UW-Whitewater scored the first four times it had the ball, and the string of six scores in seven attempts was only broken by a missed field goal on the way to a 37-7 halftime lead.

Whitewater's first possession began at their 18. A five play, 82 yard drive ended with Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich)'s 50 yard pass to Cory Robinson (Cambridge/Cambridge) that took just 2:18 off the clock. The next time it took just three plays, and 1:14, for UW-W to score on Desmin Ward’s (Milwaukee/Hamilton) 48 yard run to make it 14-0.

Campbellsville QB Zach Eastham was picked off at the CU 49 by Noah Timm (Two Rivers/Two Rivers). Six plays later Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) kicked a 40 yard field goal with 1:47 left in the first to up the margin to 17-0. A CU punt set up the Warhawks at their own 46 with six seconds left in the first. Blanchard hooked up with Tyler Huber (Mukwonago/North Prairie) for the score, and with a muffed snap on the PAT, UW-W led 23-0 at the end of the first.

Campbellsville quarterback , Patrick Henry hit wide out Stan Warrenhuffman down the right sideline for a 73 yard score to bring the score to 23-7 with 8:13 left in the first half.

Following the ensuing kickoff it took Matt Blanchard and the Warhawk offense just four plays to get the touchdown back with his second hook-up with Huber – this time for 64 yards to give UWW a 30 to 7 lead with 1:47 remaining in the second quarter.

The Warhawks were not done as Ronnie Blaszkowski (Oak Forest, IL/Oak Forest) blocked a CU punt giving the ball back to Whitewater at the Campbellsville 30 yard line.

It took just two plays, a Blanchard to Luke Menzel (Sheboygan Falls/Oostburg) 28 yard pass and a Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) two yard run, to up Whitewater's lead to 37-7. The Warhawks took that lead into the locker room at the half.

Whitewater amassed 431 yards by halftime.

The second half also began with an explosion for the Warhawks.

The Hawks returned the second half kick to the 40 yard line. On the first play from scrimmage, Levell Coppage exploded for a 60 yard run, to give the Warhawks a 44-7 lead.

Eric Kindler’s second field goal of the day – a 45 yarder – extended the Whitewater lead to 47-7 with 5:53 left in the 3rd quarter.

UWW defensive tackle Anthony Dowery (Saint Francis/Milwaukee South) picked up a Patrick Henry fumble at CU's 21, and the Whitewater offense converted with Lee Brekke (Sun Prairie/Sun Prairie) throwing a three yard TD pass to Kominiko Sila (American Somoa/Anchorage, AK) for a 54-7 lead.

The scoring ended on another Henry bomb, this time for 66 yards to CU’s Diaz Bolden with 6:14 left in the game.

Whitewater piled up 571 yards to 254 for CU. UW-W averaged 5.2 yards per rush and had 22 first downs. The Tigers averaged 2.2 yards per run and had 11 first downs. Time of possession was 36:13 to 23:47 in favor of the Warhawks.

Blanchard, who played less than a half, was coldly efficient, hitting on 12-15 passes for 294 yards and the three touchdowns. Eight receivers share the catches. Coppage, also playing less than half a game, rushed 15 times for 117 yards, and Desmin Ward carried the ball 9 times for 92.

UWW Sophomore linebacker Cole Klotz (Elm Grove/New Berlin Eisenhower) was credited with three solo tackles and five assists to lead the Warhawk defense.

UW-W has a bye next week. The Warhawks, looking for a seventh straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title, will open conference play by hosting UW-Platteville Saturday, October 1 for a 2:00 kickoff in Perkins Stadium

Campbellsville comes to Whitewater ranked No. 17 in NAIA poll

Two nationally ranked teams will collide Saturday in UW-Whitewater’s home opener at Perkins Stadium.

Campbellsville University (Kentucky), ranked No. 17 this week in the NAIA, travels to Whitewater to play the top-ranked Warhawks.

Campbellsville is coming off two big defensive games over higher-ranked teams. In the Tigers' season opener, CU picked off four passes and caused a fumble en route to a 30-14 win over No. 27 Union College. Last Saturday, Sept. 10, Campbellsville knocked off No. 18 Cumberland University, 30-27, with three blocked kicks and a returned 2-point conversion.

Quarterback Nathan Cooper will be a new threat for UW-W, as the WarHawks did not see the Missouri native under center last September. Cooper is averaging 253 yards and three touchdowns per game.

Running back Wayne Coffee, who had only 25 yards against UW-W last season, is averaging 111.5 yards per game and 5.1 yards per carry in 2011.

Senior wide receiver Stan Warrenhuffman, who is averaging two 100 yards and six catches per game this season for the Tigers. The Cincinnati, Ohio native set the program's single-game touchdown reception record last week with three TD catches and was named the Mid-South Conference Offensvie Player of the Week.

True freshman Leon Melvin has led the way in the takeaway department, picking off two passes in the end zone during week one and blocking a field goal and extra point last week for the Tigers.

Whitewater travelled to Campbellsville last year and came away with a 37-7 win.

"We feel like we can go in there and match up with them in the skill positions,” CU head coach Perry Thomas said. “We thought we did last year. If it wasn't for a couple of miscues early, we could have made it a competitive ballgame.”

This will be the sixth time in the Tigers' history that CU will challenge a defending national champion including last year’s game vs. the Warhawks. In 1992 Campbellsville beat 1991 NAIA national champion Georgetown College 29-27.

Kickoff for Saturday’s game at Perkins Stadium is set for 12-Noon.

Natonal Player of Year mural greets fans into Perkins Stadium

The UW-Whitewater football team will open the home portion of its 2011 schedule Saturday by hosting Campbellsville University (Kentucky) in a 12-Noon kickoff at Perkins Stadium.

Fans entering the Perk Saturday will notice a large mural located on the far south side of the home stands. The mural portrays the four UW-Whitewater athletes that have been named NCAA Division III Athletes of the Year in their respective sports.

(From left to right on the mural are: Jeremy Wendt (2004-Track & Field), Greg Rheinhart (2005- Baseball), Justin Beaver (2007-Football) and Allison Erickson (2001-Volleyball)

A special pregame ceremony will be held prior to Saturday’s game. The seniors from last year’s National Championship team will be back at the Perk. They will be introduced followed by the the 2010 NCAA Division III championship flag being raised and the 2010 logo being unveiled atop the giant UW-Whitewater mural located on the face of the building in the south end zone.

No. 1 Warhawks blank No. 21 Franklin College, 45-0

(Editor's Note: The following story written by Josh Smith appears in the Monday, September 12 edition of the Daily Jefferson County Union)

FRANKLIN, Ind. - It took the UW-Whitewater football team a little while to get going Saturday. But once the Warhawks did, they were tough to stop.

Behind a 28-point second quarter, the nationally ranked No. 1 Warhawks dismantled No. 21 Franklin College, 45-0, in a rematch of last season's first-round playoff matchup in Franklin, Ind.

"I was very pleased with the overall outing," UW-W head coach Lance Leipold said. "Offensively we were finishing those drives. We made some turnovers happen in a short period of time, and really capitalized on it.

"It was outstanding what we were doing there."

UW-W, which extended the program's winning streak to 32 games - the longest active streak in the country across all levels of college football, showed the strength of its rushing attack in the second quarter as running backs Levell Coppage and Desmin Ward scored a pair of touchdowns each.

Ward scored on a 2-yard run just four seconds into the second quarter.

Coppage ended the Warhawks' next two drives with touchdowns, scoring from 15 yards out on the first scoring run and from 5 yards the second time.

Ward scored his second touchdown - a 1-yard run - with 4:44 to play in the first half.

The Warhawk defense played a role in two of the second-quarter touchdown drives by forcing turnovers.

After the Warhawks (2-0 overall) took a 7-0 lead on a 25-yard touchdown pass from senior quarterback to Steve Morris, the 21st-ranked Grizzlies returned the kickoff to the 28-yard line.

On the first play from scrimmage, Reece Craig rushed for 2 yards when Jesse Hamilton jarred the ball loose and Ryan Wenkman recovered for the Warhawks.

The turnover led to Ward's first TD.

On Franklin's next drive, quarterback Jonny West dropped back to pass on 3rd-and-10 at the Grizzlies' 28. His pass landed in the hands of UW-W defensive back Ryan Cortez, who returned the ball to the Franklin 15.

One play later, Coppage was in the end zone.

"It kind of snowballed on them," Leipold said. "But they're the type of offense, in their ability to run as many plays as they do, it wasn't over by far until we had a chance to score in the third quarter to make sure."

On the day, the Warhawk defense intercepted two passes and recovered two fumbles. Jared Kiesow forced UW-Whitewater's other fumble that was recovered by Hamilton. Andrew Keister recorded an interception.

Hamilton had a big day with six tackles, including one for a loss, to go with his forced fumble and recovery. Sam Overton, Wenkman and Fort Atkinson High School alumnus Jake Keeser finished with five tackles each. Keeser had two tackles for a loss, including a sack.

"I think we played extremely physical, and I think that eventually played a factor in the game," Leipold said.

Coppage, who is quickly approaching the school record for most career rushing yards, cracked the century mark for the second straight week. The senior tailback, who only played the first half, gained 119 Saturday on 18 carries.

Ward got 17 touches and picked up 71 yards.

"Levell only played the first half. Once the score got to what it was, we decided we'd go with Des for the third quarter," Leipold said. "Des is continuing to take steps. He's not where he wants to be or where we think he can be. But he's a hard worker, and he can fill that role that we were getting from Antwan Anderson and Booker Stanley last year."

Blanchard was 13-of-18 for 128 yards. In addition to his first quarter TD pass, he connected with full back Bernie Tamsett for a 2-yard TD pass in the third quarter.

Junior back-up quarterback Lee Brekke also saw time on the field, completing 4-of-7 passes for 38 yards.

Tyler Huber picked up 55 yards receiving on five catches to pace the receiving corps. Seven different Warhawks caught a pass in the victory.

Place kicker Eric Kinder, who was named the WIAC's Special Teams Player of the Week last week, was 6-for-6 on point-after tries and connected on a 31-yard field goal. Kindler also came up just short on a 50-yard field goal attempt in the first quarter.

After throwing for 448 yards in a come-from-behind win over Valparaiso a week earlier, West completed just 18-of-36 passes. The sophomore QB gained 158 yards through the air versus the Warhawk defense.

"I think our secondary played really well," Leipold said. "I think (West) had a chance to hit on some things that didn't go their way. I thought our pass coverage was very good."

Craig was Franklin's leader with a mere 21 yards rushing. UW-W out-gained Franklin 307-40 on the ground and had 473 yards of total offense to the Grizzlies' 198.

"It was definitely a big step for us from Game 1 to Game 2," Leipold said of the shutout victory. "I definitely think it's helping our confidence. We got to play a lot of guys. That helps confidence and morale. It keeps you healthy.

"Defensively, we're rotating a lot of guys. A lot of good things come out of this," he added.

The UW-Whitewater football team will play its home-opener this Saturday. Whitewater will host Campbellsville (Ky.) at Perkins Stadium. The Warhawks won last year's meeting in Kentucky, 37-7.

Warhawks roll 45-0 over Franklin

(Editor's Note: The following is the UWW at Franklin College game recap story courtesy of Tom Fick/UW-Whitewater Sports Information)

UW-Whitewater, ranked number one in Division III, used five consecutive possessions to score 35 points in seventeen minutes to roll over #21 Franklin College 45-0 Saturday afternoon at Faught Stadium in Franklin, Indiana.

The win ups UW-Whitewater's win streak to 32 consecutive games, longest in any Division of NCAA football. That string includes 18 straight non-conference wins.

The game started slowly, each team trying to establish identity, the Warhawks methodically running the ball, Franklin throwing the ball out of a no huddle attack. Neither team put any points up early, but the groundwork (no pun intended) laid by the offensive line paid off later as Franklin wore down.

Whitewater's final possession of the first quarter began at 5:21 on their own 32. Six plays later, five of them Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) rushes, senior quarterback Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) caught the Franklin defense biting on a play action pass to Steve Morris for a 25 yard touchdown with 2:03 left in the quarter.

The Warhawk defense ended Franklin's next drive prematurely when cornerback Jesse Hamilton (Racine/Park) forced FC back Craig Reece to fumble, and safety Ryan Wenkman (Wisconsin Dells/Wisconsin Dells) recovered it at the Franklin 29. UW-W used five straight runs to punch the ball in, the last two yards supplied by Desmin Ward (Milwaukee/Hamilton) on the first play of the second quarter to make it 14-0.

Franklin faced a third and ten on their 28 when UW-W linebacker Ryan Cortez (Palatine, IL/Palatine, IL) picked off a West pass and returned it to the 15. On the next play Coppage went 15 yards to up Whitewater's margin to 21-0.

After a Jake Keeser (Fort Atkinson/Fort Atkinson) sack, Shane Covington (Milwaukee/Riverside)'s 20 yard punt return set up Whitewater's next possession on the Franklin side of the field at the 47. It took just five plays, ending with Coppage's five yard scoring run, to up the lead to 28-0 with 9:42 left in the half.

Whitewater went for the block of Franklin's punt, and junior Jaren Borland (Fort Atkinson/Fort Atkinson) got a piece of the kick, causing the ball to roll dead at the Franklin 34. Seven plays later, with 4:44 left in the quarter, Ward powered over for his second touchdown of the day to increase the lead to 35-0, ending the one quarter blitz that also trapped the Grizzlies last year when the teams met in the first round of the NCAA playoffs at Perkins Stadium. In that game UW-W used 21 fourth quarter points on the way to a 52-21 win.

Coppage was already over 100 yards by intermission, with 119 on 18 carries. Blanchard complimented the run with 9-14 passing for 91 yards. UW-W piled up 269 yards in the half while limiting Franklin to 103. Grizzlie QB Jonny West went 6-20 in the half. Although Franklin considers a fast paced game to its advantage, the fact they had the ball 11:18 in the first half, to 18:42 for Whitewater demonstrated control of the line of scrimmage by the offensive line and Whitewater's defense forcing the Grizzlies off the field.

Whitewater received the kickoff in the second half and covered 61 yards in nine plays to make it 42-0. Blanchard hit fullback Bernie Tamsett (Waterford/Waterford Union) with a two yard swing pass at 10:46.

Warhawk defensive back Jared Kiesow (Horicon/Horicon) ended Franklin's next drive, forcing a fumble that Jesse Hamilton (Racine/Park) picked up at the UW-W 46.

An Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) 31 yard field goal with 10:51 left in the game ended the scoring.

After gaining 669 yards in the season opening win at Valparaiso, the UW-W defense held the Grizzlies to 198 yards, just 40 on 27 attempts coming rushing the ball. UW-W averaged 5.5 yards per rush and totaled 465 yards. Blanchard went 13-18 for 128 yards and two TD's, with five of those receptions going to Tyler Huber (Mukwonago/North Prairie). Coppage wound up as the game's leading rusher even though he did not carry the ball in the second half. Ward contributed 71 yards on 14 rushes. West wound up 18-36 for 158 yards and two interceptions. Wideout Logan Worley had five catches for FC.

Hamilton led Whitewater with six tackles and one for a loss, with Keeser chipping in with five tackles, two for a loss, and the sack. Franklin linebacker David O'Rourke was one of three Grizzlie defenders with double figure tackles, credited with 14 and a tackle for a loss.

WIAC Scoreboard (September 10)

(No. 1) UW-Whitewater 45, (No. 21) Franklin 0
(No. 2) Mount Union 41, UW-Oshkosh 17
(No. 4) St. Thomas 45, UW-River Falls 22
(No. 5) Mary Hardin-Baylor 27, UW-La Crosse 20
UW-Platteville 26, (No. 23) UW-Stevens Point 3
UW-Eau Claire 47, (No. 25) St. Johns 19
UW-Stout 20, Jamestown (ND) 17

Hawks at Franklin Game-Day Central

Welcome to the Voices Eye On Football Blog Game-Day Central for Saturday afternoon's (#1) UW-Whitewater at (#21) Franklin College football game at Red Vaught Stadium in Frankling Indiana. Game-Day Central has been posted to assist UW-Whitewater football fans in enjoying the game through a series of links. GO WARHAWKS!

Gameday Weather Franklin, Indiana game-day weather forecast from the Weather Channel... Partial cloudiness early, with scattered showers and thunderstorms during the afternoon. High 76F. Winds light and variable. Chance of rain 40%.

UW-Whitewater at Franklin Game Notes CLICK HERE

Warhawk Football This Week Podcast with Tom Pattison CLICK HERE

KOOL 106.5 Game Broadcast CLICK HERE

Warhawks @ Franklin Live Stats CLICK HERE

View UWW @ Franklin game TV on-line CLICK HERE

• Saturday’s Franklin College home football game with defending NCAA Division III national champion Wisconsin-Whitewater will be broadcast live on television and be available as a live stream presentation on the Internet. HomeTown Sports Indiana, Indiana’s most prolific producer of sports for television, will provide the coverage of the Grizzlies-Warhawks battle at Stewart “Red” Faught Stadium on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. Viewers may watch the game live on new the HomeTown Sports & News channel either over-the-air on Channel 6 or on Comcast digital cable channels 247 or 420 and Brighthouse digital cable channel 164 in central Indiana.

UW-Whitewater looks to claim 2011 tailgating title!

I came across the following note in Keith McMillan’s latest Around the Nation column on D3football.com.

Quote - D3football.com’s Around the Nation wants to settle, once and for all, which is best tailgate in Division III. The championship will be held at the Stagg Bowl this season, and the invitees are Bridgewater (Stone Station), St. John’s (Stiftungsfest), Franklin (no snazzy name that I’m aware of) and any other school who thinks its pregame festivities can go toe to toe with the best.

Hello! What is the first places you think about when talking tailgating at a football game? Lambeau Field and Camp Randall Stadium in Madison – right? The Packers and Badgers aren’t the only great tailgate venues in Wisconsin. Ask any fan from a visiting team and they will tell you that the tailgating at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater is an amazing experience.

Tailgating prior to a Warhawk football game at the Perk is a “must attend” event for every Division III football fan in the country. Honestly – if I’m lying, I’m dying!!!

As far as taking the Perkins Stadium tailgate on the road? Been there – done that for the past six seasons. Whitewater fans love Carey Harveycutter and the good people in Salem, Virginia in charge of the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl!

But, wait, you say: What if my team doesn’t make it to the Stagg Bowl? Come anyway! That’s why we’re starting the planning now, in September. Forget that holiday party and the lame fruitcake you’re going to get re-gifted. Come get some serious grub and watch the nation’s two best teams go at it.

Now let’s sweeten the pot. ATN is seeking a title sponsor to help defray the costs of travel and buying food. The participants can decide if the money will be winner-take-all or split evenly, in the D-III spirit of community. We’ll also need official tasters to be judges.

E-mail your interest to keith.mcmillan@d3sports.com and put “tailgate” in the subject line.

This week in the WIAC

There has been a lot of talk recently about WIAC football programs having difficulty in scheduling non-conference games. With that said, Week No. 2 of 2011 is arguably the toughest, one day slate of non-conference games in WIAC history.

Games coming up this weekend involving ranked teams include:
No. 1 UW-Whitewater @ No. 21 Franklin (Indiana)
UW-Oshkosh @ No. 2 Mount Union
No. 4 St. Thomas (Minnesota) @ UW-River Falls
UW-La Crosse @ No. 5 Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas)
UW-Eau Claire @ No. 25 St. Johns (Minnesota)

The remainder of the schedule includes:
UW-Stout @ Jamestown (North Dakota)
UW-Platteville @ UW-Stevens Point (in-conference – non-conference game)

The WIAC is annually ranked as the No. 1 football conference in Division III. With conference teams taking on five of the current Top-25 teams in the country according to D3football.com it will be very interesting to see how WIAC teams fare this weekend.

Less than two weeks till Back to the 60s Weekend

The Seventh Annual UW-Whitewater Back to the 60s Weekend is set for September 16th and September 17th. The on campus event is being held in conjunction with the UW-Whitewater football team’s home opener vs. Campbellsville University (Kentucky) at Perkins Stadium.

The 1966 national finalist football team along with all 60s teams, fraternities, sororities, band members, cheerleaders and alumni will be honored.

Events on Friday, September 16 include: 11 a.m. - Golf at the Whitewater Country Club. 6 p.m. - Seafood buffet at Randy's Restaurant.

Events on Saturday, September 17th include: 10 AM: Pregame social at the Coulthart Family Pavilion; 12-Noon: UW-Whitewater vs. Campbellsville University football game at Perkins Stadium; 3 PM-6 PM: Post game social with live music.

You are being asked to make reservation.

To make your reservation or to get more Back to the 60s Weekend information by accessing the Back to the 60s Facebook page.

You will be asked to make your reservation by clicking the appropriate box in the upper right corner of the facebook page.

To make your Back to the 60s Weekend reservation CLICK HERE

Perkins Stadium Game Day Information

Hey Warhawk football fans, plan on being at the "Perk" this season and be a part of Warhawk football history and tradition!

The three-time Division III National Champions currently hold the NCAA’s longest winning streak for any division and will open the home portion of the 2011 schedule by hosting NAIA nationally ranked Campbellsville University Sptember 17.

The Warhawks are proud to offer an exciting, family-friendly atmosphere at the most premiere stadium in the country. Game days at Perkins Stadium are about football, family, fun, and community. Join us this season and enjoy a big time football atmosphere right here on UW-Whitewater’s campus.

For 2011 UW-Whitewater football, Perkins Stadium gameday information CLICK HERE

Franklin College relishes opportunity for rematch vs Warhawks

The following is the press release earlier this year announcing the 2011 Franklin College football schedule…

Franklin College has finalized its 2011 football schedule with one of the biggest NCAA Division III opponents it could have added.

The Griz will host defending national champion University of Wisconsin-Whitewater on Saturday, Sept. 10, at Stewart “Red” Faught Stadium with kickoff set for 1 p.m.

“Our whole program is very excited to be hosting the two-time defending national champions to Franklin College,” said Franklin head coach Mike Leonard. “I’ve developed a very respectful relationship with Coach (Lance) Leipold, after having played them this past season in the playoffs.”

“Our team knows that the Warhawks will again be a formidable opponent, but by hosting them here on our campus, we are excited about showing the GRIZ faithful what it will take to get to that level.”

Last year Franklin travelled to Whitewater for a first-round, North region playoff game. The Warhawks were playing without quarterback Matt Blanchard who fractured the thumb on his throwing hand in UWW’s final regular season game the week before against La Crosse.

Getting the start for the Warhawks was back-up quarterback Lee Brekke.

Franklin threw quite a scare into the heavily favored defending national champions.
The Griz managed to hang with the Warhawks for most of the first half. It appeared the teams would go int but Brekke tossed a touchdown with 25 seconds left in the second quarter to effectively steal the momentum.

"I think, right before halftime, getting that touchdown to go into halftime with a seven-point lead (was big)," Brekke said of the Warhawks going up 21-14.

We knew it was a great challenge when we saw the draw," Leonard said. "They made some plays. Give them credit. They get all the credit."

In the wild post-season shoot-out at the Perk, Franklin's Kyle Ray completed 40 of 72 passes for 373 yards and three TDs, but the Warhawks also forced the senior quarterback into a trio of costly interceptions — two of which turned into UWW points.

Franklin will also possess a strong offensive unit when it takes on the Warhawks on Saturday.

Franklin rallied from a two-touchdown deficit and then took full control in the second half in last Saturday night’s 49-35 football victory at Valparaiso University.
The Grizzlies, who piled up a whopping 669 yards of total offense, topped the Crusaders, a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision affiliate, for the second consecutive year. The contest was the season opener for both schools.

After falling behind 28-14 with five minutes left in the opening half, Franklin struck twice for touchdowns in the air to even the score at halftime.

Warhawk Football This Week (Week 2 Edition) Preview

Here is what I'm working on for my Week-Two edition of the Warhawk Football This Week Podcast

• Review of win over UW-La Crosse (scoring plays Liepold postgame interview)

• Player of Game Interview: Eric Kindler (4 for 4 Field Goal Attempts 33, 36, 38 & 41 yds)

• Feature on first year assistant coach (WRs) Mitch Moore

• Feature with WIAC commissioner on reason for in-conference/non-conference mandate

• Around the WIAC feature – last week’s scores and look to week 2 action

• Leipold on how game with Franklin originated.

• Franklin preview

It is shaping up to be a very informative show!

The Week-Two edition of the Warhawk Football This Week Podcast will be available for download at 12-Noon on Wednesday.

To download all KOOL 106.5 UW-Whitewater football games and Warhawk programming CLICK HERE

Voice’s Random Thoughts On Hawks’ Win at UWL

• It sure feels good to get back on the field 36 weeks after beating Mount Union last December in the Stagg Bowl!

• I heard rumblings both during and right after Saturday night’s 26-7 win at La Crosse was scoring ONLY 26 points.

• Last three season-openers for UWW: (2010) UWW 35, Adrian 10; (2009) UWW 38, Dickinson State 3, (2007) UWW 24, St. Xavier 7 – similar type season-opening scores.

• After Saturday night’s “non-conference” win over La Crosse, it will be interesting to see what both teams will bring to the table when they meet back in Whitewater on November 12th.

• Conference rivals U-Dub-Dub and UW-Eau Claire met twice during the regular season in 2008 due to schedule problems for both schools. UWW edged UWEC 16-14 @ Eau Claire in week-two of the season (that was the designated conference game). Whitewater beat the Blugolds 40-10 at Perkins Stadium in week 8 of the 2008 season.

• One more thing on the WIAC-mandated in-conference, non-conference games this season. I discussed the situation with WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner last Saturday evening in the UWL press box. I’ll have the interview as part of my Warhawk Football This Week Podcast that will be available for download Wednesday afternoon . to download Podcast CLICK HERE

• How about Eric Kindler and his four field goal (33, 36, 38 & 41 yards) effort vs. La Crosse? What a difference from one year ago when Kindler and Stephen Guelff were still battling going into the season opener on who would be replacing Jeff Schebler who had just finished his career as the all-time leader in field goals at any level of the NCAA.

• I’ll also have a feature on Kindler on this week’s Warhawk Football This Week Podcast.

• One of my concerns heading into the season was the Warhawks’ defense having the ability to “fly to the football” again this year after losing a number of defensive starters from last season. My quick answer – THEY CAN!

• Play of the Game on Saturday night was Shane Covington’s 37 yard pass reception from Matt Blanchard to set up the Hawks first TD of the game with 5:41 left in the 1st quarter. Covington made a great adjustment in the air against two UWL defenders to make a acrobatic catch. To view UWW @ UWL game photos CLICK HERE

• Next up is another road trip – this time for a non-conference game at Franklin, Indiana. A reminder – if you are planning on making the trek to Franklin (located about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis on I-65).

• If you are planning on making the easy trek down to Franklin – just a reminder - Chuck and Martha Heinrich (event hosts), along with Chancellor Richard Telfer and Athletic Director Paul Plinske, invite all Warhawk fans for a tailgate-style lunch in Franklin, Indiana prior to the Warhawks game vs. Franklin College. The tailgate is set to begin at 11:00 am (Eastern Standard Time) and will take place at The Willard. The Willard is located at 99 North Main Street in Franklin. If you are planning to attend please contact Kat Bastien (262-472-7031; bastienk@uww.edu) ASAP. Make sure you are wearing your purple GO WARHAWKS

First Look at Week 2 Opponent: Franklin College

The UW-Whitewater football team will be back on the road in Week 2.

The Warhawks travel to Franklin College, located about 45 minutes south of Indianapolis, Indiana on I-65.

Saturday’s game will be a rematch of last November’s 1st Round NCAA Division Playoff game between the two schools.

UW-Whitewater won the game 52-21, but had a halftime lead of just 28-21.

The Grizzlies appear to have another high-octane offense this season.

Franklin College opened its season Saturday with a wild 49-35 road win at Valparaiso University.

The Grizzlies, who piled up a whopping 669 yards of total offense, topped the Crusaders, a NCAA Football Championship Subdivision affiliate, for the second consecutive year. The contest was the season opener for both schools.

For a full story on the Franklin season-opening win CLICK HERE

KOOL 106.5 audio stream of Saturday night's UWW at UWL football game bitten by technical gremlins

For those of you frustrated while attempting to access the KOOL 106.5 audio stream of the UW-Whitewater at UW-La Crosse broadcast Saturday evening - here is a brief explanation.

The popular "audio stream" of the KOOL 106.5 broadcast of the 2011 season opener was plagued with technical difficulties Saturday evening.

It once again proves the validity of the Murphy’s Law adage that states "Anything that can go wrong will go wrong". Especially when it occurs on the first broadcast of the season!

Those attempting to access the stream were greeted with the following announcement on the 940wfaw.com Website: Attention: The KOOL 106.5 stream is temporarily off the air. We are sorry for any inconvenience.

Technicians worked feverishly in an attempt to locate the technical difficulty.

It is fully anticipated that the KOOL 106.5 audio stream will be “up and running” in time for the Warhawks’ September 10th game at Franklin, Indiana.

UWW defense hit La Crosse like a tropical storm

The UW-Whitewater football team was “chomping on the bit” to get the 2011 season underway. First up was a road-trip to La Crosse to take on UW-La Crosse in the WIAC-mandated “in-conference/non-conference season opener at Veterans Memorial Field.

The Hawks arrival in “God’s Country” was greeted with a deluge of rain that made the current tropical storm pounding the Gulf Coast seem like small potatoes.

A torrential rain storm 2½ hours prior to Saturday evening game turned much of La Crosse into an “under-water parking lot.”

A second “storm” struck La Crosse during the game. The storm carried the name “Whitewater Defense” and it impacted the UW-La Crosse offense for 2 ½ hours.

The Warhawk defense limited La Crosse to 119 yards of offense and a lone touchdown late in the fourth quarter of UWW’s 26-7 victory.

UW-Whitewater’s offense was also dominant converting its 72 plays into 421 yards of offense.

Matt Blanchard threw for 248 yards (18 of 30). Luke Menzel and Jason Ford combined for 123 yards on 11 pass receptions.

Levell Coppage opened his senior season with 108 yards rushing and his 82 career rushing touchdown.

Dez Ward showed that he will be a force in the Hawks’ running back rotation by rushing for 38 yards (8 carries) including a 4th quarter one-yard touchdown.

For a WXOW TV-19 recap of the Hawks 26-7 season opening win CLICK HERE

To view the SmugMug photo gallery from Saturday's Warhawk win CLICK HERE

WIAC goes 5 & 1 on 2011's opening weekend

Top-ranked UW-Whitewater opened its latest title defense with a 26-7 victory over host UW-La Crosse on Saturday.

Even though the game featured two Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference foes, it was played as a non-conference game. With the schools having trouble filling their schedules, the teams will face each other twice with the next game counting in the conference standings.

The Warhawks have won 31 consecutive games, including the last two national championships. Whitewater is the six-time defending WIAC champion and has advanced to the Division III title game for six consecutive seasons.

Against the Eagles, Warhawks running back Levell Coppage ran for 108 yards in 21 carries and a touchdown. Matt Blanchard had a solid game at quarterback for Whitewater, completing 18 of 30 passes for 248 yards.

The Warhawks had 421 yards on offense but were sloppy with nine penalties for 85 yards.

Quarterback Mike Butterfield scored the Eagles' only touchdown on a 7-yard run in the fourth quarter.

UW-Stevens Point 8, Willamette (Ore.) 6: The Pointers claimed the victory against the Bearcats after a failed two-point conversion with 24 seconds left.

Stevens Point had been clinging to an eight-point lead after a safety and two field goals by Jered Fohrman.

But Willamette got on the board in the final minute after Jamiere Abney's two-yard touchdown run capped a 13-play drive. Jake Knecht caught the pass on the two-point conversion, but referees ruled that he stepped out of bounds.

UW-Platteville 38, Buena Vista (Iowa) 3: The host Pioneers racked up 234 yards on the ground in an easy victory over the Beavers.

Nick Anderson had 72 of those rushing yards and also passed for 185 more and three touchdowns.

UW-Stout 19, Black Hills State 7: The Blue Devils scored 12 unanswered points to pull away from the Yellow Jackets in Menomonie.

Eric Brown led Stout in rushing with 76 yards in 16 carries. He scored the Blue Devils' first touchdown on a 5-yard run.

UW-Oshkosh 31, Central (Iowa) 28: Nate Wara threw for 241 yards and three touchdowns as the host Titans held on to beat the Dutch.

Zach Wettengel sealed the victory by intercepting a pass with 1:35 remaining.

Bethel (Tenn) 26, UW-Eau Claire 21: Bethel University (Tenn.) handed the UW-Eau Claire football team a 26-21 loss after scoring a touchdown with 13 seconds left to play in the Blugolds' season opener at Wildcat Stadium in McKenzie, Tenn.

9/3 UWW at UWL Tailgating Information

It is hard to believe but the UW-Whitewater football team opens the season in just 12 days – on Saturday evening, September 3rd at UW-La Crosse.

At this past Saturday afternoon’s scrimmage at Perkins Stadium I talked to a number Warhawk football fans that told me they were going to “pack up the babies and grab the old ladies (Neil Diamond ’69) and head to Veterans Memorial Stadium in La Crosse to back the Hawks against archrival UW-La Crosse.

When you talk Warhawk football fans – you naturally talk about tailgating at a stadium prior to rooting on the Hawks.

“Full” tailgating is limited to two lots adjacent to UWL’s Veterans Memorial Stadium. The lots C-2 and C-3 are circled in the adjacent photo.

1. Tailgating is allowed only in the designated tailgating lots are C2 and C3. All regular automobiles may park in these lots for a single-game parking fee of $10. Other campus lots remain available, free of charge, on a first-come, first-served basis.

2. Oversized vehicles such as RVs and trailers may park in Lots C2 and C3 for $30 but must park in such a way as to occupy the fewest number of spaces possible.

3. Tailgating lots open three hours before kickoff, with stadium gates opening two hours later. Lots close two hours after the game’s conclusion.

Propane and gas grills are permitted. Charcoal, wood burning units, or other open flames are prohibited. Please do not burn down the Stadium!!

All fans using the tailgating lots are expected to conduct themselves responsibly and to be respectful of others enjoying the tailgating experience. UW-L Campus Police monitor tailgating lots for underage drinking and inappropriate behavior, including abusive or foul language.

Violation of any part of this policy is grounds for removal from the parking lots and, potentially, from the UW-L campus.

UWW @ UWL for an early September, 6 pm game is as good as it gets. I look forward to crashing your tailgate party on Sept. 3rd in La Crosse.

Go Warhawks!

Thanks Bobo

From Bobo on the D3football WIAC Chat Room earlier this morning:

I seize the opportunity to get "...some love..." on voice's eye on football blog & I get thrown under the bus like I had nothing to do with it. Offers like this don't just grow on trees. Whew, I'm speechless!! :-X Oh well, tomorrow's another day!! ;)

[/quote]

Bobo

If you are on the sidelines during practice, the one thing that coaches are always yelling out to the players is to FINISH IT

There are also players that need to be kicked in the a** to play at the highest level. Then there are players that need complements and mommy love during games and meetings.

Hey everybody - Bobo is the reason I was able to upload the 2011 UWW roster onto http://www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/ even though his source did not include this weekend's two-deep roster. Just kidding!

Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo, Bobo!
Bobo - he's our man - if he can't do it nobody can!

Saturday's Game Day Central for Saturday Night

It has been a long, hot week and the UW-Whitewater football team us itching to get its 2011 season started.

“I think everyone is tired of competing against each other,” Leipold tells the Janesville Gazette. “They’re ready to hit someone else."

The Hawks open the season Saturday evening in La Crosse against archrival UW-La Crosse. It is the first of two regular season games between the two bitter rivals.

“And what a great way to kick off the season by having the two most dominating programs in our league play each other,” Leipold said. “There’s a lot of history between these programs.”

The two schools have dominated in the WIAC, and before that the WSUC. Since 1985, the year Bob Berezowitz took over for the retired Forrest Perkins, both teams have captured nine outright conference title and shared three other conference championships.

Whitewater opens the season on a 30-game winning streak – longest in the nation in any NCAA division.

The Warhawks have put together a mind-boggling 85 & 5 record over the past six seasons. The streak includes six straight WIAC Titles and six consecutive Amos Alonzo Bowl appearances vs. Mount Union. The two Division III powers have each won three NCAA Division III national championships.

The Warhawks enter Saturday evening’s season-opener coming off back-to-back Division III championships and three in the last four years.

To assist you in your enjoyment of Saturday’s UWW at UWL season opener, I’m publishing the following links…

Janesville Gazette Game Story CLICK HERE

UW-Whitewater Pregame Media Notes CLICK HERE

To access KOOL 106.5 Game Broadcast Audio Stream CLICK HERE

To access UWW at UWL In-Game Live Stats CLICK HERE

To access Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference weekly release CLICK HERE

To read La Crosse Tribune Editorial/Joel Badzinski: Dettwiler hopes to take Eagles on Harring-like ride CLICK HERE

Hey WarhawkNation - check out the uwwfootball.com fan Website

Hey everybody – Tom “Voice” Pattison here… I try to do my best to keep Warhawk Nation informed on the latest UW-Whitewater football information here on http://www.voiceseyeonfootball.blogspot.com/ and over on http://www.warhawkfootball.com/ .

There is another Warhawk football “fan” Website that I want to tell you about. It is “BleedPurple’s” http://www.uwwfootball.com/ blog / Website.

BP asks that you check out his blog “for all things UW-W football, There will be news, opinions, and analysis.

The Website has outstanding analysis of “all things U-Dub-Dub football” – from pregame analysis to a complete breakdown of the team’s performance following each game.

I want to make it perfectly clear that I am absolutely the worst when it comes to making weekly game predictions. Las Vegas casinos call me to ask who I think will win games each weekend – the casinos quickly install the other team as the favorite.

On Friday, http://www.uwwfootball.com/ published its week-1 predictions.

To access the uwwfootball.com Website CLICK HERE

This is "Voice" Pattison saying that www.uwwfootball.com is a "must read!" Book mark it and check it out on a daily basis.

Go Warhawks!

Warhawk 100-player roster released Friday morning

The final UW-Whitewater roster slot has been filled and the WIAC-mandated 100-man roster was released Friday morning.

To view roster CLICK HERE

29 of the 100 roster spots are players that are from out of state.

22 of those spots are student-athletes from the state of Illinois. 2 are former Mount Union players out of the state of Florida. UW-Whitewater’s roster also includes one player each from Alabama, Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, and Minnesota.

On aspect of this year’s roster that catches the eye of immediate area of Whitewater fans is players that grew up and played high school football in Whitewater, Fort Atkinson, or nearby Cambridge.

Fort Atkinson’s Jake Keeser (DT) and Jaren Borland LB), Cambridge’s Cory Robinson (WR) and Whitewater’s Louissaint Minett (DE) are all returning veterans and expected to play major roles in this season’s team.
Another former Whitewater Whippet, Nick Romani (FB) is part of the 2011 100-player roster.

The Warhawks open the season on the road Saturday at 6 p.m. vs. UW-La Crosse.

7th Annual Back to the 60's Weekend set for September 16th and 17th

Attention UW-Whitewater students and Alumni from back in the 1960s. The 8th Annual Back to the 60s Weekend is set for September 16th and September 17th. The on campus event is being held in conjunction with the UW-Whitewater football team’s home opener vs. Campbellsville University (Kentucky) at Perkins Stadium.

Events on Friday, September 16 include:
11 a.m. - Golf at the Whitewater Country Club
6 p.m. - Seafood buffet at Randy's Restaurant

Events on Saturday, September 17th include:
10 AM: Pregame social at the Coulhart Family Pavillion adjacent to Perkins Stadium
12-Noon: UW-Whitewater vs. Campbellsville University football game at Perkins Stadium
3 PM-6 PM: Post game social with live music

Jim Miller is in charge of the event For more information CLICK HERE

Go Hawks!

UW-Whitewater freshmen get a crash course in the meaning of "being purple"

(Adjacent photo courtesy of UW-Whitewater athletics)

The 2011 UW-Whitewater freshman class are NOW officially Warhawks. Thursday afternoon’s Hawkfest followed by R U Purple inside Perkins Stadium is flat-out, one of the most unique ways of getting incoming students to be "proud to be purple."

The R U Purple event Thursday night was designed to introduce U-Dub-Dub freshmen to what it means to be a UW-Whitewater Warhawk.

On a hot, humid pre-Labor Day Thursday evening, a steady stream of UWW freshman students burst through the entrance to Perkins Stadium, running through a human pathway that stretched across the Perkins Stadium FieldTurf. They were slapping hands with faculty, staff and students to blaring music and rousing cheers.

“All they know is that it’s tradition here on campus, and it starts with them, but they don’t know anything else,” Kim Moistner-Bartlett, assistant dean of student life and the First Year Experience program indicated during the Thursday night “Welcome to UW-Whitewater” event.

The “U-Dub-Dub” event is part of the university’s approach to freshman orientation that started in 2008. The program focuses on creating connections, something previous freshman classes lacked, said Kim Simes of the First Year Experience program.

The First Year Experience staff realized they needed to start with pride.
“Our program, our goals are all about helping students feel like they have a connection here at UW-Whitewater and ultimately that this is home to them,” Simes said.

R U Purple has had a very unique conclusion in each of its four years. The “frosh” file out of the Perk and march over to Warhawk Drive adjacent to Williams Center. The reason? To paint the street leading to Perkins Stadium PURPLE!

Let me ask one more time – R U Purple?

To UWW freshman: R U Purple?

It has been a wild couple of days if you were driving on or near the UW-Whitewater campus. It is “move-in” week on campus – and U-Dub-Dub is doing it with a color-coded system. Each dorm has been designated a color and color-coded signs and orange construction cones permeated streets on campus Wednesday.

Campus will get even wilder Thursday as Club U-Dub-Dub is throwing its annual “welcome to campus” party for 2011 freshman students.

Coming up late Thursday afternoon will be Hawk Fest that will take place between 5:15 and 6:30 p.m in the Young Auditorium parking lot. The event will include 30-plus exhibitors from area businesses & UW-W offices, Eurobungy, Canoe Races, Speed Pitch, dunk tank featuring the 2011 Hawk Squad, carnival games, PRIZES, sno-cones and much, much more!!

From 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. incoming freshman earn “Warhawk wings” by participating in R U Purple. The event starts in Williams Center and winds its way to Perkins Stadium.

To view a video on Hawk Fest and RU Purple CLICK HERE

Samplawski and McCollom to miss season due to injury

UW-Whitewater officially released its 2011 regular season roster Wednesday afternoon.

The biggest surprise is two names missing from the roster. Aaron Samplawski and Steve McCollom spent the recent training camp on the sidelines with a foot cast and on crutches.

Samplawski, a senior out of Horicon, was shifted from cornerback to wide receiver last year. His biggest impact has come as a kick returner. Aaron is already the all-time leader in kick-off returns in the UWW record book with 1611 yards on 64 career returns.

McCollom was shifted from quarterback to safety prior to last season. The Michigan native responded by finishing second on the team with five pass interceptions. He also finished sixth on the team in 2010 with 50 tackles.

While their was a chance that both players could have returned from injury late in the season – both players agreed that sitting out the season and was the wisest action.