Oct 14, 2011
This Week's Game
The Warhawks host UW-Stout in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference contest at 7:00 p.m. on Friday (yes Friday), October 14 at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater, Wisconsin. With a number of special events planned, the game has been dubbed "Friday Night Lights."
Last Year
UW-W won 30-7 October 9, 2010 in Perkins Stadium before a WIAC record crowd of 12,189. If this had been golf it would have been a long drive contest. Stout controlled the opening kick for 8:50 and seventeen plays, but failed to score when Richard Marteney's 25 yard field goal attempt hit the post. After a scoreless first quarter the Warhawks finally got on the board midway through the second on a Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) to Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) four yard pass. Stout came right back, holding the ball for 7:09. Facing a first and goal from the one, QB Ross Carey attempted a sneak, fumbled, and offensive tackle Tyler Butzler recovered the ball in the end zone for the tying score. Whitewater used 14 plays to go 75 yards, ending with Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown)'s 22 yard field goal with seven seconds left, to take a 19-7 lead into halftime. The Warhawks scored on the first drive of the second half, this time going 80 yards, with Blanchard hooking up with Rusch again, the 24 yard scoring play putting Whitewater in front 26-7 after a failed PAT. Two Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) runs in the third quarter, one for 31 yards and the other four, ended the scoring. The UW-W defense limited Stout to 61 yards on the ground on 26 rushes. UW-W, after rushing for 54 yards in the first half, totaled 255 on the ground on 40 carries. Coppage accounted for 163 yards, 143 of those coming in the second half. UW-W wide receiver Adam Brandes (Burlington/Catholic Central) led both teams with ten catches. Linebacker Lane Olson (Racine/Horlick) had nine tackles, and Jon Baldwin (Spring Grove, IL/Richmond Burton) recorded a pair of sacks. Stout's Carey went 17-35 for 177 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions, with six of those tosses to tight end Patrick Mengelkoch. Blue Devil linebacker Ryan Pearcy, led both teams with 14 tackles, six of them solo.
The Series
UW-Whitewater's record all-time vs. UW-Stout: 42-10-2
The current streak: UW-Whitewater has won the last 9 games
When it started: 1948, UW-Stout defeated UW-Whitewater 21-20
Most points scored by UW-W: 67 in 1974
Most points scored by UW-ST: 43 in 1998
Shutouts by UW-W: 8
Shutouts by UW-ST: 2
Longest win streak by UW-W: 12 (1987-1998)
Longest win streak by UW-ST: 2 (multiple times)
Fewest points combined: 0 (0-0 in 1957)
Purple Streak
UW-Whitewater has maintained the longest win streak in college football in any division (FBS, FCS, NCAA II, NAIA). The Warhawks have won 35 consecutive games. They also have streaks of 23 in a row on the road, 23 straight at Perkins Stadium, 19 consecutive non-conference contests, 19 WIAC games, and 10 in the NCAA III playoffs.
In The Polls
UW-Whitewater continues to be ranked number one in both the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association polls this week. UW-Stout is not ranked.
The Coaches
Whitewater's Lance Leipold, in his fifth year, has compiled a record of 62-3, including 24-1 in the WIAC. In his first head coaching opportunity, Leipold has earned national Division III coach of the year honors three out of the four years and was named WIAC Coach of the Year the last two. Clayt Birmingham is in his second season as UW-S head coach. The Blue Devils went 6-4 overall and 4-3 (third) in the league in Birmingham's first year. Birmingham was the defensive coordinator at Stout from 2007-2009 before taking over as head coach in 2010. In five seasons previous to coaching at Stout, Birmingham coached at Division II Emporia State in Kansas from 2001-2003, 2005-2006 as the defensive coordinator, as well as working individually with the defensive line and defensive backs.
UW-Stout Notes
The Blue Devils are 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the WIAC after a 22-19 win on the road at UW-Stevens Point. The Blue Devils scored twice in the fourth quarter for the come from behind win. Senior QB Ross Carey connected with Josh Peterson on a 72 yard TD off a gadget play and Eric Brown ran 13 yards for the winning points. DB Jason Brenner picked off a Pointer pass at the four with time winding down to prevent what could have been the winning points. Carey went 19-37 with two interceptions, with Peterson and Mike Gervanek both collecting five passes for a combined 188 yards. Paul Bernier carried the ball 17 times for 96 yards.
UW-S is putting the pieces together for a winning team. The defense is second in the WIAC in sacks, second in opponents' third down conversions, and second in red zone defense. Lineman Ryan Ericksen is fourth in the league in sacks (0.62/game), and linebacker Ryan Pearcy leads the WIAC in tackles, averaging 11.2 per game. Pearcy also ranks 30th in the NCAA III national stats. Stout's offense can go to the run, with Paul Bernier averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, or the pass, where Josh Peterson is seventh in the league in both receptions (19) and receiving yards per game (55.4). And Stout's special teams have been productive, with sophomore kicker Richard Marteney fifth in WIAC scoring, and fifth in Division III with 1.8 field goals per game. The Stout punt team is nineteenth in D3 in net yards, 35.96.
UW-Whitewater Notes
The Warhawks are 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the WIAC after a 42-10 win on the road at UW-River Falls last week. UW-W led 28-7 at the half, and a Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) to Tyler Huber (Mukwonago/North Prairie) 60 pass play on the opening play from scrimmage in the second half made it 35-7. Blanchard went 20-29 for 277 yards, with Huber leading the team with eight receptions. The Warhawk defense limited UW-RF to six yards rushing in the game.
The team is first in the conference in both scoring offense (402.) and scoring defense (9.0). Whitewater is also averaging 471.8 yards a game on offense, while allowing only 210.8 yards a game on defense, both totals good for first in the conference. The Warhawks also lead the WIAC in rushing offense, rushing defense, pass efficiency, turnover margin, pass defense efficiency, first downs, opponent first downs, opponent third down conversion, sacks against, fourth down conversion, time of possession, and opponent fourth down conversion. In the NCAA III stats, UW-W's offense is fourteenth in yards and seventeenth in points, and the Warhawk defense is sixth in yards and eighth in scoring. Blanchard is seventh in passing efficiency (176.06), and sophomore placekicker Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) is fifth in field goals (1.8/game).
Coppage leads the WIAC in rushing with 586 total yards, 117.2 yards per game, and nine touchdowns. Backfield mate Desmin Ward (Milwaukee/Hamilton) is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has scored six touchdowns. Coppage is now only 491 rushing yards away from breaking current team and conference records in rushing, set by former Warhawk Justin Beaver, at 6,584 yards. Blanchard is first in the conference in pass efficiency and completion percentage with 176.2 and 69.4 respectively, with 1,106 passing yards, nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Warhawks have three of the top four scorers in the WIAC with running back Coppage at 54 points, kicker Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) with 51 points, and Ward with 36 points. Kindler is 9-11 on field goals, with his only misses coming from 49 and 50 yards. Linebacker Greg Arnold (Big Bend/Mukwonago) leads UW-W with 28 total tackles. Defensive linemen Zack Cook (Necedah/Necedah) and Jake Keeser (Fort Atkinson/Fort Atkinson) are each in the top five in the conference in sacks, with fellow lineman Casey Casper (Dousman/Kettle Moraine) on the list for fumbles forced.
UW-Whitewater
Passing: Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) 78-112, .696, 222.6/game, 9 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) 99-586, 117.2/game, 5.9/att, 9 TD
Receiving: Tyler Huber (Mukwonago/North Prairie) 24-439, 87.8/game, 18.3/att, 5 TD
Field Goals: Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) 9-11
Punting: Kris Rosholt (Reedsburg/Reedsburg) 18-669, 37.2 avg
Defense: Greg Arnold (Big Bend/Mukwonago) 28 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss
Kyle Wismer (Spring Grove, IL/Richmond-Burton) 21 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 passes broken up, 3 passes defended, 1 blocked kick
UW-Stout
Passing: Ross Carey 78-162, .481, 175.6/game, 3 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Paul Bernier 69-317, 63.4/game, 4.6/att, 1 TD
Receiving: Josh Peterson 19-277, 55.4/game, 14.6/att, 2 TD
Field Goals: Rick Marteney 9-12
Punting: Mike Scherr 16-591, 36.9 avg
Defense: Ryan Pearcy 56 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumbles
Aaron Kobes 42 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up, 2 passes defended
By The Numbers
UW-Whitewater
Offensive Line (5 players) Averages: 287 Pounds
Defensive Line (4 players) Averages: 252 Pounds
Offense, Class Breakdown: 6 seniors, 5 juniors
Defense, Class Breakdown: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores
UW-Stout
Offensive Line (5 Players) Averages: 272 pounds
Defensive Line (4 players) Averages: 248 pounds
Offense, Class Breakdown: 6 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore
Defense, Class Breakdown: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
Special Note
Friday's game has been designated "Friday Night Lights." The contest will feature a special pregame tailgate for students, free light-up thundersticks, and a post-game fireworks display.
What's Coming Up
The Warhawks will travel to UW-Oshkosh for a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference matchup Saturday, October 22 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for UW-W home games are sold at the University Center ticket office Monday-Friday during normal business hours. Tickets are also sold at Perkins Stadium on game day. Call 262-472-2222 for ticket information.
For More Info
Tom Fick, UW-W sports information: 262-472-1147 or fickt@uww.edu
UW-Whitewater football web site: http://uwwsports.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football
WIAC football web site: http://wiacsports.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football
Jim Thies, UW-River Falls sports information: 715-425-3846 or james.g.thies@uwrf.edu
UW-River Falls football web site: http://www.uwrfsports.com/index.aspx?path=football
NCAA III football web site: http://www.ncaa.com/sports/f
The Warhawks host UW-Stout in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference contest at 7:00 p.m. on Friday (yes Friday), October 14 at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater, Wisconsin. With a number of special events planned, the game has been dubbed "Friday Night Lights."
Last Year
UW-W won 30-7 October 9, 2010 in Perkins Stadium before a WIAC record crowd of 12,189. If this had been golf it would have been a long drive contest. Stout controlled the opening kick for 8:50 and seventeen plays, but failed to score when Richard Marteney's 25 yard field goal attempt hit the post. After a scoreless first quarter the Warhawks finally got on the board midway through the second on a Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) to Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) four yard pass. Stout came right back, holding the ball for 7:09. Facing a first and goal from the one, QB Ross Carey attempted a sneak, fumbled, and offensive tackle Tyler Butzler recovered the ball in the end zone for the tying score. Whitewater used 14 plays to go 75 yards, ending with Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown)'s 22 yard field goal with seven seconds left, to take a 19-7 lead into halftime. The Warhawks scored on the first drive of the second half, this time going 80 yards, with Blanchard hooking up with Rusch again, the 24 yard scoring play putting Whitewater in front 26-7 after a failed PAT. Two Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) runs in the third quarter, one for 31 yards and the other four, ended the scoring. The UW-W defense limited Stout to 61 yards on the ground on 26 rushes. UW-W, after rushing for 54 yards in the first half, totaled 255 on the ground on 40 carries. Coppage accounted for 163 yards, 143 of those coming in the second half. UW-W wide receiver Adam Brandes (Burlington/Catholic Central) led both teams with ten catches. Linebacker Lane Olson (Racine/Horlick) had nine tackles, and Jon Baldwin (Spring Grove, IL/Richmond Burton) recorded a pair of sacks. Stout's Carey went 17-35 for 177 yards, no touchdowns or interceptions, with six of those tosses to tight end Patrick Mengelkoch. Blue Devil linebacker Ryan Pearcy, led both teams with 14 tackles, six of them solo.
The Series
UW-Whitewater's record all-time vs. UW-Stout: 42-10-2
The current streak: UW-Whitewater has won the last 9 games
When it started: 1948, UW-Stout defeated UW-Whitewater 21-20
Most points scored by UW-W: 67 in 1974
Most points scored by UW-ST: 43 in 1998
Shutouts by UW-W: 8
Shutouts by UW-ST: 2
Longest win streak by UW-W: 12 (1987-1998)
Longest win streak by UW-ST: 2 (multiple times)
Fewest points combined: 0 (0-0 in 1957)
Purple Streak
UW-Whitewater has maintained the longest win streak in college football in any division (FBS, FCS, NCAA II, NAIA). The Warhawks have won 35 consecutive games. They also have streaks of 23 in a row on the road, 23 straight at Perkins Stadium, 19 consecutive non-conference contests, 19 WIAC games, and 10 in the NCAA III playoffs.
In The Polls
UW-Whitewater continues to be ranked number one in both the D3football.com and American Football Coaches Association polls this week. UW-Stout is not ranked.
The Coaches
Whitewater's Lance Leipold, in his fifth year, has compiled a record of 62-3, including 24-1 in the WIAC. In his first head coaching opportunity, Leipold has earned national Division III coach of the year honors three out of the four years and was named WIAC Coach of the Year the last two. Clayt Birmingham is in his second season as UW-S head coach. The Blue Devils went 6-4 overall and 4-3 (third) in the league in Birmingham's first year. Birmingham was the defensive coordinator at Stout from 2007-2009 before taking over as head coach in 2010. In five seasons previous to coaching at Stout, Birmingham coached at Division II Emporia State in Kansas from 2001-2003, 2005-2006 as the defensive coordinator, as well as working individually with the defensive line and defensive backs.
UW-Stout Notes
The Blue Devils are 3-2 overall and 1-1 in the WIAC after a 22-19 win on the road at UW-Stevens Point. The Blue Devils scored twice in the fourth quarter for the come from behind win. Senior QB Ross Carey connected with Josh Peterson on a 72 yard TD off a gadget play and Eric Brown ran 13 yards for the winning points. DB Jason Brenner picked off a Pointer pass at the four with time winding down to prevent what could have been the winning points. Carey went 19-37 with two interceptions, with Peterson and Mike Gervanek both collecting five passes for a combined 188 yards. Paul Bernier carried the ball 17 times for 96 yards.
UW-S is putting the pieces together for a winning team. The defense is second in the WIAC in sacks, second in opponents' third down conversions, and second in red zone defense. Lineman Ryan Ericksen is fourth in the league in sacks (0.62/game), and linebacker Ryan Pearcy leads the WIAC in tackles, averaging 11.2 per game. Pearcy also ranks 30th in the NCAA III national stats. Stout's offense can go to the run, with Paul Bernier averaging 4.6 yards per attempt, or the pass, where Josh Peterson is seventh in the league in both receptions (19) and receiving yards per game (55.4). And Stout's special teams have been productive, with sophomore kicker Richard Marteney fifth in WIAC scoring, and fifth in Division III with 1.8 field goals per game. The Stout punt team is nineteenth in D3 in net yards, 35.96.
UW-Whitewater Notes
The Warhawks are 5-0 overall and 2-0 in the WIAC after a 42-10 win on the road at UW-River Falls last week. UW-W led 28-7 at the half, and a Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) to Tyler Huber (Mukwonago/North Prairie) 60 pass play on the opening play from scrimmage in the second half made it 35-7. Blanchard went 20-29 for 277 yards, with Huber leading the team with eight receptions. The Warhawk defense limited UW-RF to six yards rushing in the game.
The team is first in the conference in both scoring offense (402.) and scoring defense (9.0). Whitewater is also averaging 471.8 yards a game on offense, while allowing only 210.8 yards a game on defense, both totals good for first in the conference. The Warhawks also lead the WIAC in rushing offense, rushing defense, pass efficiency, turnover margin, pass defense efficiency, first downs, opponent first downs, opponent third down conversion, sacks against, fourth down conversion, time of possession, and opponent fourth down conversion. In the NCAA III stats, UW-W's offense is fourteenth in yards and seventeenth in points, and the Warhawk defense is sixth in yards and eighth in scoring. Blanchard is seventh in passing efficiency (176.06), and sophomore placekicker Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) is fifth in field goals (1.8/game).
Coppage leads the WIAC in rushing with 586 total yards, 117.2 yards per game, and nine touchdowns. Backfield mate Desmin Ward (Milwaukee/Hamilton) is averaging 5.2 yards per carry and has scored six touchdowns. Coppage is now only 491 rushing yards away from breaking current team and conference records in rushing, set by former Warhawk Justin Beaver, at 6,584 yards. Blanchard is first in the conference in pass efficiency and completion percentage with 176.2 and 69.4 respectively, with 1,106 passing yards, nine touchdowns and only two interceptions. The Warhawks have three of the top four scorers in the WIAC with running back Coppage at 54 points, kicker Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) with 51 points, and Ward with 36 points. Kindler is 9-11 on field goals, with his only misses coming from 49 and 50 yards. Linebacker Greg Arnold (Big Bend/Mukwonago) leads UW-W with 28 total tackles. Defensive linemen Zack Cook (Necedah/Necedah) and Jake Keeser (Fort Atkinson/Fort Atkinson) are each in the top five in the conference in sacks, with fellow lineman Casey Casper (Dousman/Kettle Moraine) on the list for fumbles forced.
UW-Whitewater
Passing: Matt Blanchard (Lake Zurich, IL/Lake Zurich) 78-112, .696, 222.6/game, 9 TD, 2 INT
Rushing: Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) 99-586, 117.2/game, 5.9/att, 9 TD
Receiving: Tyler Huber (Mukwonago/North Prairie) 24-439, 87.8/game, 18.3/att, 5 TD
Field Goals: Eric Kindler (Germantown/Germantown) 9-11
Punting: Kris Rosholt (Reedsburg/Reedsburg) 18-669, 37.2 avg
Defense: Greg Arnold (Big Bend/Mukwonago) 28 total tackles, 4 tackles for loss
Kyle Wismer (Spring Grove, IL/Richmond-Burton) 21 total tackles, 2 tackles for loss, 3 passes broken up, 3 passes defended, 1 blocked kick
UW-Stout
Passing: Ross Carey 78-162, .481, 175.6/game, 3 TD, 7 INT
Rushing: Paul Bernier 69-317, 63.4/game, 4.6/att, 1 TD
Receiving: Josh Peterson 19-277, 55.4/game, 14.6/att, 2 TD
Field Goals: Rick Marteney 9-12
Punting: Mike Scherr 16-591, 36.9 avg
Defense: Ryan Pearcy 56 total tackles, 3.5 tackles for loss, 1 INT, 1 pass defended, 1 forced fumbles
Aaron Kobes 42 total tackles, 5.5 tackles for loss, 1.5 sacks, 2 passes broken up, 2 passes defended
By The Numbers
UW-Whitewater
Offensive Line (5 players) Averages: 287 Pounds
Defensive Line (4 players) Averages: 252 Pounds
Offense, Class Breakdown: 6 seniors, 5 juniors
Defense, Class Breakdown: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 3 sophomores
UW-Stout
Offensive Line (5 Players) Averages: 272 pounds
Defensive Line (4 players) Averages: 248 pounds
Offense, Class Breakdown: 6 seniors, 4 juniors, 1 sophomore
Defense, Class Breakdown: 5 seniors, 3 juniors, 2 sophomores, 1 freshman
Special Note
Friday's game has been designated "Friday Night Lights." The contest will feature a special pregame tailgate for students, free light-up thundersticks, and a post-game fireworks display.
What's Coming Up
The Warhawks will travel to UW-Oshkosh for a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference matchup Saturday, October 22 at 1:30 p.m. Tickets for UW-W home games are sold at the University Center ticket office Monday-Friday during normal business hours. Tickets are also sold at Perkins Stadium on game day. Call 262-472-2222 for ticket information.
For More Info
Tom Fick, UW-W sports information: 262-472-1147 or fickt@uww.edu
UW-Whitewater football web site: http://uwwsports.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football
WIAC football web site: http://wiacsports.com/index.aspx?tab=football&path=football
Jim Thies, UW-River Falls sports information: 715-425-3846 or james.g.thies@uwrf.edu
UW-River Falls football web site: http://www.uwrfsports.com/index.aspx?path=football
NCAA III football web site: http://www.ncaa.com/sports/f