Related Links:
Game Notes (PDF)
Live Stats
Live Audio (courtesy of WKCH – Kool 106.5 FM)
Live Video
D3football.com
Warhawk Football Pregame Social (Saturday in Franklin, Ind.)
 
The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team continues non-conference play this Saturday at Franklin College. Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time in Franklin, Ind.
 
Saturday's game is a rematch of the second round of last year's NCAA Division III Playoffs. The Warhawks defeated the Grizzlies 33-3 on Nov. 30 at Perkins Stadium. It was UW-Whitewater's fourth victory over Franklin in four games, including three postseason contests.
 
The Grizzlies (0-1 overall) dropped their opener, 42-35, at 2013 NCAA qualifier Illinois Wesleyan last Saturday.
 
"We've had a chance to play them in the regular season and postseason, and we have a lot of respect for what (head coach) Mike Leonard does there," UW-Whitewater coach Lance Leipold said Wednesday in a conference call with reporters. "If there's a benefit to a match-up like this, it's that we've been there recently. We know it's going to be a good challenge even though they came up a little short last Saturday."
 
The Warhawks (1-0 overall) were voted the nation's unanimous No. 1 team in the D3football.com Top 25 for the second straight polling week following a 73-7 victory over Waldorf (Iowa) in the team's season-opener last Friday at Perkins Stadium.
 
UW-Whitewater jumped out to a 28-0 first-quarter lead and by halftime racked up 49 points, the most by the program in one half in more than a decade. The team's 73 points for the game were the most since putting up 75 in its 2006 season opener against Lakeland.
 
The Warhawks also tied a school record with 10 touchdowns, including five through the air, four on the ground and one defensive score, a 10-yard interception return by sophomore defensive back Mickey Morgan (Wauwatosa/Wauwatosa West) with 6:02 to play in the contest.
 
Sophomore quarterback Chris Nelson (Twin Lakes/Wilmot Union) led the passing game with 153 yards and four touchdowns, including two to freshman wide receiver Marcus Hudson (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien). Sophomore wide receiver Ryan Storto (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) led the receiving corps with five receptions for 65 yards and a touchdown, while junior wide receiver Joe Worth (Hartford/Hartford Union) totaled four receptions for 68 yards and a score.
 
Four different running backs crossed the goal line for UW-Whitewater, including junior running back Dennis Moore (Elgin, IL/Elgin), who paced the team's balanced rushing attack with eight carries for 69 yards.
 
Defensively, the Warhawks held the Warriors to just 177 yards, forced three turnovers and tallied eight tackles for loss, including three sacks. Sophomore defensive lineman Yuri Pogosyan (Mequon/Homestead), sophomore defensive back Vince Mason (Green Bay, Wis./Green Bay Southwest) and freshman linebacker Matt Seitz (Hartland, Wis./Arrowhead) posted four tackles apiece.
 
UW-Whitewater coach Lance Leipold noted that the team went deep into its bench, giving its reserves valuable game experience. He pointed specifically to the linebackers, the quarterbacks, the receiving corps and the offensive line.
 
"We had a chance to get those new linebackers in there and play quite a few of them in game situations," Leipold said. "Offensively, it was a chance to play (sophomore quarterback) Chris Nelson (Twin Lakes/Wilmot Union) a lot in the first half. I think that will pay dividends for us down the road, whether it be this year or next year.
 
"The reserve receivers had a chance to make plays. We had a few drops, but they got a chance to gain confidence as the game went on. I also feel very confident about, as far as development, our second offensive line. They got to play a lot of football."
 
Franklin has made three consecutive appearances in the second round of the NCAA Playoffs, and has won six of the last seven Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference championships. The Grizzlies entered the 2014 season with a 54-16 mark over the past six years.
 
Senior quarterback Grant Welp leads the offense, which returns nine of 11 starters from a year ago. Welp, who is in his first season as the starter under center following the departure of All-American Jonny West, threw for 303 yards, three touchdowns and one interception at Illinois Wesleyan.
 
"The thing about it is he's a senior, so he's been there," Leipold said. "He's taken all those reps and been in all those meetings. I would expect that he'll take another jump in his performance from game one to game two, like many players do after they get their first start under their belt."
 
The Grizzlies also return five of their top six receivers from a season ago, including wide receivers Zach Cole, Jonny Hession and tight end Dylan Jenney, who each caught at least five passes and one score last Saturday.
 
"It will be a big test for the guys (in our secondary)," Leipold said. "It doesn't mean you're going to slow them down, but you've got to tackle well. A lot of times in controlled passing games, you've got to make sure they're not getting those extra yards after the catch."
 
Defensively, Franklin is led by junior linebackers Lucas Windell and Jeremiah Windell, who combined for 20 tackles, including three for a loss, last Saturday.