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!