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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team began its national championship defense Friday night with a resounding, season-opening 73-7 victory over Waldorf (Iowa) in a non-conference contest at Perkins Stadium.
 
The Warhawks (1-0 overall) tallied 49 points in the first half, including 28 in the first quarter, en route to their 18th consecutive win. It was the most points scored by a UW-Whitewater team in the first half in more than 10 years. The team piled up 45 first-half points at Buffalo (N.Y.) State in a game last season.
 
UW-Whitewater's 73 points are its most since tallying 75 against Lakealnd in 2006. The team's 10 touchdowns tie a school record last accomplished in 2010.
 
"I'm very pleased with the way we played," UW-Whitewater coach Lance Leipold said. "I think we came out attacking and took advantage of opportunities. We were able to rotate some people in there really quickly and play a lot of people tonight. For a first game, I think it was a very good performance."
 
Eight different players scored touchdowns for the Warhawks, including freshman wide receiver Marcus Hudson (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien), who caught a pair in his collegiate debut. Sophomore quarterback Chris Nelson (Twin Lakes/Wilmot Union) tossed four touchdowns and finished 10-of-15 for 153 yards.
 
UW-Whitewater rushed for 208 yards, paced by junior running back Dennis Moore (Elgin, IL/Elgin), who registered 69 yards on eight attempts. Senior Ryan Givens (Milwaukee/Milwaukee Riverside), junior Nick Patterson (Sussex/Hamilton) and freshman Eric Wade (Mequon, Wis./Homestead) each carried at least six times and scored a touchdown.
 
The Warhawks' defense was equally as impressive, holding the Warriors (2-1) to 177 yards and just 2.9 yards per play. The defense also forced three turnovers, including sophomore Mickey Morgan (Wauwatosa/Wauwatosa West)'s 10-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the fourth quarter.
 
Senior quarterback Matt Behrendt (Westchester, IL/Nazareth Academy) orchestrated two scoring drives in the first five-plus minutes of action. The Warhawks received the opening kickoff and, following a 56-yard return by senior Marcus McLin (Delavan/Delavan-Darien), marched 44 yards in five plays as Behrendt connected with junior wide receiver Joe Worth (Hartford/Hartford Union) for an 11-yard score.
 
After a Waldorf three-and-out, Patterson rushed three straight times and capped the drive with a three-yard plunge to make it 14-0 UW-Whitewater with 9:54 on the clock.
 
The Warhawks forced another three-and-out, and after another big return by McLin, scored on a 2-yard run by Givens to make it 21-0 with 8:31 left in the first.
 
UW-Whitewater led 28-0 at the end of the quarter after a 30-yard touchdown run by Moore. Nelson found junior wide receiver Coleton Hrgich (Wheaton, IL/Wheaton North) for a seven-yard score on fourth-and-goal to make it 35-0 two minutes into the second period.
 
Nelson completed scoring passes to sophomore wide receiver Ryan Storto (Carol Stream, IL/Glenbard North) and Hudson of 21 and 13 yards, respectively, to send the Warhawks into the locker room with a 49-0 advantage.
 
Nelson found Hudson in the end zone again early in the second half and, following a 79-yard touchdown drive by the Warriors, sophomore kicker Lake Bachar (Wheaton, IL/Wheaton North) booted a 24-yard field goal to make it 59-7 with 4:31 to play in the third.
 
Wade found the end zone on a 5-yard rush at the 2:39 mark of the third quarter following an interception by junior defensive back Shawn Shillcox (Two Rivers/Two Rivers). Morgan's pick-six with 6:02 left in the contest accounted for the final score.
 
UW-Whitewater begins a stretch of four road games in five weeks next Saturday, Sept. 13, at No. 25 Franklin (Ind.). Kickoff is slated for 1:30 p.m.