Warhawks Open WIAC Schedule at Platteville

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater goes on the road for its WIAC season opener against the University of Wisconsin-Platteville, with kickoff at 6:00 Thursday in Pioneer Stadium.

Won-Lost:  Whitewater is 3-0 (W 35-0 vs. Adrian College, W 70-7 vs. Dakota State University, W 37-7 vs. Campbellsville University) and Platteville is 2-1 (W 31-2 vs. Buena Vista, W 21-17 vs. Dubuque, L 51-20 vs. Wheaton)

By the Numbers:  Platteville offensive line averages 271 pounds.  The Platteville offense will start four seniors, two juniors, four sophomores, and one freshman.  The UW-P defensive line averages 249 pounds.  The defense includes four seniors, three juniors, and four sophomores.  The Whitewater offensive line averages 289 pounds.  The offense will start seven seniors, three juniors, and one sophomore.  The UW-W defensive line averages 260 pounds.  The Warhawk defense will start six seniors, four juniors, and one sophomore. 

Non-Conference Streak:  UW-W has won eleven straight non-conference games dating back to the 31-26 loss to Mount Union in the December 20 in the 2008 Stagg Bowl.

Win Streak Longest in the Nation:  You don't often mention the University of Alabama and the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater in the same football sentence, but it applies here.  UW-W has an eighteen game win streak, through the 2009 season, dating back to the 2008 loss to Mount Union.  The win streak is the longest in NCAA football, all divisions.  The University of Alabama is also at 18 games in the BCS.  Jacksonville State is tops in the FCS with eight, and Colorado State-Pueblo leads Division II with eight.  The next longest streak in the NCAA is 17 by Boise State, and the second longest streak is ten by Ohio Northern University.

Home Streak:  Although this is not a home game, the Warhawks have won seventeen consecutive games at Perkins Stadium, dating back to a 17-16 loss to UW-Stevens Point, October 25, 2008.  UW-W will look to extend that streak when they host UW-Stout on October 9.

WIAC Streak:  UW-W has won ten consecutive games in the WIAC, dating back to a 17-16 loss to UW-Stevens Point October 25, 2008 in Perkins Stadium.

Streak Vs. Platteville:  Whitewater has won the last five times these teams have met.  It was 35-3 in 2009, 52-13 in 2008, 21-7 in 2007, 49-21 in 2006, and 63-28 in 2005.  Platteville won the 2004 meeting, in Platteville, 7-6.

Special Day:  Fans can enjoy a $10 food deal, which includes a family 4-pack of hotdogs, chips, and drinks.  There will also be interactive games and activities for kids, as well as pre-game music.  Warkhawk fans can visit http://www.uwplatt.edu/athletics/football/2010/family%20Night%20Coupon.pdf and print off a web coupon for $1 off any adult or student/child ticket to the game. 

National Polls:  UW-W is ranked first in both the AFCA and the D3football.com polls.  The Pioneers are not ranked. 

UW-W Head Coach:  Lance Leipold is in his fourth year at UW-Whitewater, his only head coaching position.  He is 45-3 (.937) during his tenure with UW-W, including a 20-1 (.952) mark in the WIAC.  The Warhawks have won Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference titles all three years (and five in a row) and advanced through the NCAA III playoffs to the Stagg Bowl all three years (and five in a row), winning national titles in 2007 and 2009. 

Platteville Head Coach:  Mike Emendorfer is in his twelfth season coaching the Pioneers.  He has a 39-73 record (.348) overall and is 19-58 (.247) in the WIAC.  The Pioneers have had one winning season in his previous eleven years.  In his previous eleven years at Platteville, his team broke 39 school records and ten WIAC marks.  In 2004, Emendorfer was named the WIAC Coach of the Year.  Prior to his head coaching position, Emendorfer served as the offensive coordinator for eight years at Hanover College in Indiana.  He was also the offensive coordinator at Quincy University and the passing coordinator at Grinnell College before going to Hanover. 

About the Pioneers:  The Pioneers are still a pass first offense.  UW-P averages 271.0 yards per game passing, 99.7 rushing.  Sophomore QB Nick Anderson is completing 54% of his passes for 258.7 yards per game.  He has thrown four touchdown passes and just one interception.  Anderson's athletic ability makes sure he has the ball in his hands a lot, also as the team's second leading rusher (in both attempts and total yards).  Wide receiver Darin Blaser is the leading target for Anderson, with 22 catches.  Wide receivers Paul Pridemore and Lee Vlasak,, yes UW-P uses a four wideout set, are home run threats, both averaging about 19 yards per catch.  The Pioneer defense is stingy against the run, allowing just 2.8 yards per attempt and 104.3 per game.  They have also played well against the passing, recording 12 sacks in three games.  Linebacker Nick Snyder leads with six tackles for a loss and 29 total tackles, and linebacker Broc Kundert and tackle Corey Marks have three sacks apiece. 

About the Warhawks:  UW-W is not giving up yards on the ground, allowing opponents just 45.3 per game.  That also figures out to 1.4 yards per rushing attempt, which means opponents would have to run the ball seven times to come close to a first down.  Lane Olson leads the team in tackles, sacks (3) and is second in tackles for a loss (4).  UW-W is piling up any stats because the coaching staff has used 19 players in all three games, seven more in two games, and sixteen more have seen action in one game.  That's slicing the playing time pie pretty thin, and building experience and confidence throughout the roster.  The same philosophy has been even more evident on offense, where UW-W is averaging 7.0 per rush and has already rushed for more than 1,000 yards after just three games.  The Warhawks are completing 66% of their passes, and the line has allowed just one sack.  QB Matt Blanchard has thrown for seven TD's and hasn't thrown an interception.  The three-headed running back position of Antwan Anderson (86.0/game, 6.0/carry), Levell Coppage (91.7/8.6), and Booker Stanley (103.3, 8.4) aren't the only ones benefitting from an offensive line that starts four seniors and a junior.

Platteville-Whitewater Last Year:  Whitewater won 35-3 at Perkins Stadium.  UW-W scored the first three times it had the ball and led 21-0 with more than ten minutes left in the second quarter.  Levell Coppage tied a school record with four rushing touchdowns among his 27 carries for 166 yards, and UW-W totaled 425 yards of offense, to 236 for Platteville.  Whitewater completed 22 of 25 passes, and linebacker Lane Olson had three QB sacks in the first half.  Anderson went 26-41 with two interceptions for UW-P, with Brandon Hertrampf catching seven for 59 yards.  Adam Brandes led Warhawk receivers with six receptions for 93 yards.  

Follow the Warhawks:  The game will be carried by long-time partner WKCH radio, 106.5 FM.  It will also be simultaneously broadcast on ESPNMilwaukee.com (540 AM) and ESPNMadison.com (100.5 FM).  Each station's website and the UW-W athletics site (www.uwwsports.com) will stream the broadcast.

Coming Up:  UW-W will return home to take on UW-Stout on Saturday, October 9 with a 3:00 kickoff in Perkins Stadium.  It is Family Day sponsored by Qdoba Mexican Grill. Tickets can be purchased at the ticket office in the Connor University Center during the week, and at the gate on game day.  Call 262-472-2222 for ticket information.