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The top-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team resumes play in the NCAA Division III Playoffs this Saturday against No. 14 Wabash (Ind.) in a second round contest set for a 12 p.m. kickoff at Perkins Stadium.
 
The winner of Saturday's game will take on the winner of the No. 13 St. John's (Minn.)/No. 5 Wartburg (Iowa) game in the national quarterfinals on Dec. 6 at a time and location to be determined following second round play.
 
The Warhawks (11-0 overall) enter Saturday's game on a 28-game winning streak, the longest in all of college football regardless of division. UW-Whitewater reached the second round thanks to a 55-2 victory over Macalester (Minn.) last Saturday at Perkins Stadium.
 
The Little Giants (10-1), an at-large qualifier out of the North Coast Athletic Conference, defeated Franklin (Ind.) 33-14 in a first-round home game. Wabash is making its sixth appearance in the NCAA Playoffs in the last 10 years, reaching the quarterfinals in 2007 and 2011.
 
In the only other meeting between the two teams all time, the Warhawks downed the Little Giants 47-7 in an NCAA quarterfinal contest on Dec. 1, 2007, in Whitewater.
 
The game is memorable to head coach Lance Leipold and other members of the coaching staff as it was played during a massive snowstorm.
 
Saturday's forecast currently calls for a high of 40 degrees and a 10 percent chance of precipitation.
 
"Those was the worst conditions I've ever been in during a game," Leipold said. "I was amazed the way our guys played that day given the conditions and how the field ended up. It was like we were playing cricket at the end, and we had to paint the lines orange. We hope the conditions are better (this Saturday) so we can just go out there and play."
 
Saturday's game features two of the nation's top defenses. UW-Whitewater ranks second in scoring defense, ninth in rushing defense and 12th in total defense, while Wabash ranks ninth, first and third in the same categories, respectively.
 
Last Saturday against Franklin, the Little Giants totaled six sacks for a loss of 51 yards. Wabash leads the nation in sacks (4.91 per game) entering play this Saturday, led by NCAC Defensive Player of the Year Cody Buresh and first team All-NCAC selection Ethan Buresh, who each have 11.
 
Leipold said balance will be key to keeping the Little Giants' front line at bay.
 
"It's a combination of blitzes and line stunts," Leipold said. "They play aggressively and with good speed in all areas. We have to keep them a little more honest and be more balanced with what we're doing."
 
Both teams also rank among NCAA Division III's top 20 in scoring offense and first downs.
 
Wabash is led by running backs Tyler Holmes and Mason Zurek, both first team all-conference picks. Holmes leads the Little Giants with 1,088 rushing yards, while Zurek averages 6.8 yards per carry and leads the team with 11 touchdowns. The duo enters Saturday's game with a combined 1,846 yards and 21 touchdowns.
 
Quarterback Michael Putko has thrown for 1,745 yards, 21 touchdowns and just three interceptions. His top receiving targets include Drake Christen (71 rec., 935 yds., 9 TDs) and Houston Hodges (49 rec., 651 yds., 8 TDs).
 
"I think you have to stop their running game," Leipold said. "If you can't slow that down, you're in for a long day.
 
"They have a quarterback who can make things happen in the zone read and three really good receivers, with two that have put up some good numbers in Christen and Hodges. It's a pretty diverse offense with a lot of weapons."
 
Players and coaches know they are in for a challenge against a talented Wabash contingent.
 
"I think both teams are well-balanced with skill players that are productive in a lot of different areas," Leipold said. "On Sunday, they grabbed the attention of our staff and they have our utmost respect."
 
Click here for the UW-Whitewater football game notes.