Saturday’s first place showdown at Perkins Stadium pits UW-Platteville’s high-powered offense against UW-Whitewater’s punishing defense. The game shapes up to be a classic, at least on paper.
The Pioneers average 46.3 points and 529.6 yards of total offense per game. The Warhawks have only allowed seven touchdowns this season and hold their opponents to 217.3 of total offense per game.
Whitewater opened the season needing a fourth quarter rally to defeat Washington University 17-7. The Warhawks then rolled off five consecutive, lopsided wins. Last week the unbeaten Hawks knocked off fellow unbeaten UW-Oshkosh 17-14 in a defensive gem at Titan Stadium.
Platteville has run roughshod over its opponents this season with the exception of one game. Two weeks ago the Pioneers needed a touchdown in the final minute to squeeze pull out a 24-23 win at UW-Stevens Point.
The Pointers held the Pioneers high-octane offense in check for the most part. UW-Platteville entered the game averaging over 48 points and over 550 yards per game but UW-Stevens Point held them to 378 yards, while gaining 338 yards themselves.
Entering the game, UW-Platteville had not allowed a sack all season but the Pointers got to Pioneer quarterback John Kelly three times. They also picked off two of Kelly’s passes.
"For us to win on Saturday we are going to have to control the football and limit their (Platteville) possessions,” Leipold indicated on the KOOL 106.5 “Warhawk Weekly” radio show. “I would imagine that their will be quite a few more points put on the board on Saturday. They (Platteville) are not a team you are going to shut down, but we must be able to slow them down. It is going to be a big test.”
It is Homecoming and Hall of Fame Day at Perkins Stadium. It will also be the 21st renewal of the George Chryst Memorial Bowl.
Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.
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