Top-ranked Whitewater breaks it open in 2nd quarter in shutout of Grizzlies
| Steve Morris was all alone
for his only catch of the day, a 25-yard touchdown that got the
scoring started. Photo by Ralph Greenslade for D3sports.com |
FRANKLIN, Ind. – Top-ranked and two-time defending NCAA Division III football champion Wisconsin-Whitewater scored four touchdowns in the second quarter and stifled the Grizzlies' offense in a 45-0 decision at Faught Stadium today.
The Warhawks, ranked No. 1 in the D3football.com Top 25 poll, improved to 2-0, claiming their 32nd straight victory. The Grizzlies, 21st this week in the same ranking, dropped to 1-1.
Whitewater rolled up 473 yards of total offense, including 307 on the ground, while the Warhawks' defense forced four Franklin turnovers – two of which led to touchdowns – and limited the Grizzlies to 198 total yards. FC gained just 40 yards rushing.
After senior quarterback Matt Blanchard hit sophomore receiver Steve Morris with a 25-yard touchdown pass late in the opening quarter, the Warhawks tacked on four TDs in the second period.
Junior running back Desmin Ward scored on a 2-yard run, senior tailback Levell Coppage ran in for touchdowns of 15 and five yards and Ward reached the end zone again on a one-yard play.
Whitewater tallied the only touchdown of the second half when Blanchard rolled out and connected with junior fullback Bernie Tamsett on a 2-yard scoring toss. Sophomore kicker Eric Kindler rounding out the visitors' scoring barrage with a 31-yard field goal early in the fourh quarter.
Coppage rushed 18 times for 119 yards and two scores and Ward ran for 71 yards and two TDs on 17 carries. Blanchard completed 13 of 18 passes for 128 yards and two TDs. Junior wide receiver Tyler Huber had five receptions for 55 yards.
Franklin sophomore quarterback Jonny West (Avon, Ind./Speedway H.S.) completed 18 of 36 passes for 158 yards with a pair of interceptions. Senior Logan Worley (Indianapolis, Ind./Warren Central H.S.) made five catches for 44 yards.
Senior linebacker David O'Rourke (Evansville, Ind./Memorial H.S.) made 14 total tackles, senior safety Tyler Huls (Salem, Ind./H.S.) had 11 total tackles and sophomore linebacker Sanchez Tate (Merrillville, Ind./H.S.) had 10.
