Warhawks overcome injuries with quality play from backups

The UW-Whitewater bench looked more like a MASH unit during the second half of Saturday's game at Oshkosh.

Hawks All-American middle linebacker Greg Arnold entered the game with a high ankle sprain. He lasted just three plays before being sent to the sideline due to the injury.

For the second straight week back-up Cole Klotz responded by registering 8 tackles including 3 tackles for a loss.

Hawks center Grant Poenitsch finished the game with crutches on the sideline.

”One of the prerequisites of playing offense line for Whitewater is the ability to play more than one of the OL positions,” Leipold told Arnie Peck on the postgame interview portion of the KOOL 106.5 game broadcast.

With the Poenitsch injury, Joe Hanson stepped in for Poenitsch.

"Joe hasn't practiced one snap as a center since back in training camp," Leipold said. "For Joe to be able to step in and play a "new" postion was a big key for us."

Cornerback Sam Overton was forced from the game after having his “bell rung” making a tackle.

Luke Menzel also was injured and did not return.

“There were a lot of guys that had to step up and increase their role,” Leipold indicated in his postgame interview. “It was a major reason why we were able to win the game. That is what good football teams do – that is what championship football teams do.”