Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks whip Wesley Wolverines, 27-7

Five INTs wing UWW into sixth straight D-3 championship against Mt. Union

Dover, DE - Wisconsin -Whitewater (13-0) held Wesley (11-1) to -7 rushing yards and picked off five Justin Sottilare passes to win the D-3 Nationals semi-final game to advance to next weekend's National Championship against Mt. Union for the sixth year in a row, 27-7.  It's one and done for the Wolverines who have reached this point in the playoffs several times over the past few years, but it's deja vu' for the Warhawks making Salem, VA at traditional final stop to the end of their season.  For Collegefootballfan.com, next weekend will be our third straight at a game in The First State when we see Delaware host Georgia Southern in the FCS National Semis.  This will be our 400th game since we started this adventure back in 1979, and the Delaware Blue Hens will be an appropriate team to see as they were the first team we watched back on September 8, 1979 when we saw them defeat the Rhode Island Rams in Kingston, RI.  Read this week's Salvos for more on that.

  Wesley hung in with UWW in the first half trailing only 10-7 at the half.  Eric Kindler's partially blocked 20-yard FG went through the uprights for a 3-0 lead after their first possession.  Wesley took the lead before the end of the period on a 38-yard TD pass from Sottilare to Matt Barile. Dan Tyron's kick made it 7-3. 

   The Warhawks re-took the lead early in the second when Lee Brekke connected with an open Adam Brandes who dove with the ball within the right pylon to put UWW ahead, 10-7.  Both defenses held the offenses in check for the remainder of the period with interceptions.  LB Jeff Morgan picked off two for the Wolverines sandwiched around DB Jared Kiesow's pick for the Warhawks.  Time expired to end the final possession.

     There was no halftime entertainment at this D-3 game, but during the action we were entertained by "Crazy Uncle Frank." That's what it read on back of his jersey.  He wore a Wolverine batting helmet and beat on a toy drum to get his fellow Wolverine fans up for the game.  Guest Game Analyst Steve Ciesla and I parked conveniently on the street as there was no time for tailgating.  At Wesley, there is a designated tailgate lot for $20.  the money covers the cost of security.  We went to Buffalo Wild Wings nearby afterward to check out Army-Navy and other FCS action.

     Wesley's first drive of the second half was thwarted by Steve McCollom's INT of a pass hung up high caused by the intense pressure coming from UWW's defensive line.  The next Wolverine possession ended with a tipped pass plucked by Matt McCulloch to set the Warhawks up at WC's 24.  With 3:25 left in the period, Levell Coppage ( 27 for 146 yards, 2 TDs) burst in from the one to give UWW a 17-7 lead.  Steve pointed out that most of Coppage's yards were picked up in workmanlike fashion as he slithered and bounced through tacklers on most of his carries.  He'd' get his longest run for 32 yards later in the fourth.   Matt Barile returned the ensuing kickoff out to the 49 for the Wolverine's, his second long return of the day.   However, Sottilare's next pass broke any hope of a Wolverine comeback.  LB Greg Arnold stepped in front of his pass at about his own 23 and rambled and wove his way all the way down to the Wesley one.  With 3:01 left, Coppage burst through a hole to extend the Warhawk lead, 24-7.  Three of the four last Wolverine passes were picked off by UWW.

    The next WC possession turned the ball over on downs.  Head Coach Mike Drass's sideline looked forlorn at this point.  They probably never trailed in any game in the fourth.   Crazy Uncle Frank quieted down and his toy drum was beaten no more.  From their own 33, Wisconsin-Whitewater drove to the 11 where Eric Kindler successfully booted a 28-yard FG to take a 27-7 lead with ten minutes left.   A vendor sold  big pretzels,  two for $7, and a couple of kids tried to sell their leftover hot chocolate inventory as Wesley fans started to leave the bleachers.  The intense Warhawk rush made Sottilare's next pass look like a punt, and Kiesow pulled in his second INT on his own nine.  The previously undefeated Wolverines finished their season one and done.

     Lance Leipold's defending champion Warhawks now travel to Salem, Virginia next Saturday for the sixth straight year to face the Mt. Union Purple Raiders for the D-3 national title game.  They look to even that series 3-3, but under Leipold, UWW is 2-1.  In addition to last year's victory, the Warhawks also won in 2007.  Larry Kehres's Raiders took this game against the Warhawks in 2005, 2006 (when we were there), and 2008.  They go for their 11th national Championship since 1993, all under Kehres.  The six consecutive title games between these two schools extend their NCAA record for the most consecutive title games played between two schools in any sport.  It's a credit to both programs.  This isn't easy.  The kickoff is set for 3:30 on Saturday on ESPN HD.  We hope to catch some of it after attending the FCS between Georgia Southern and Delaware at 12 noon. 

Extra points:  Without TV coverage, this game was over in less than two and one-half hours!

Scott D. Miller Stadium sits in between a cemetery and a trucking company.  We did pass several WC buildings on the way to BWW after the game.  The weather was cool and calm for a December playoff game.