The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team opens postseason play Saturday against St. Norbert in an NCAA Division III Playoffs first round matchup at Perkins Stadium. The Warhawks are making their 10th NCAA appearance in the last 11 years, and the program's 13th overall. They were one of six at-large, or Pool C, selections. The Green Knights are making their 12th trip to the national tournament after earning an automatic bid by winning the Midwest Conference.

UW-Whitewater (9-1 overall) rolled up a season-high 595 yards of offense, including 338 on the ground, in a 63-14 victory over UW-Stout in its regular season finale last Saturday at Perkins Stadium. The defense held the Blue Devils to just 215 total yards, including 80 on the ground, and allowed just 5-of-17 on third-down conversions. The win was the Warhawks' 23rd straight at home. UW-Whitewater's 17 seniors were recognized prior to the contest.

The Warhawks moved up one spot to fifth in the D3football.com Top 25 this week, and stayed at eighth in the American Football Coaches Association poll. UW-Whitewater was ranked No. 1 in the nation in the preseason by D3football.com, second by Lindy's Sports and third by The Sporting News. 

St. Norbert (10-0) claimed its 16th Midwest Conference championship last Saturday, defeating Monmouth (Ill.) 16-7 in the conference title game. The Green Knights, who claimed the MWC North Division championship to earn a berth in the contest, were outgained 368-302 in total yards and 23-9 on first down, but forced five turnovers and didn't commit a miscue. St. Norbert took a 10-0 lead through three quarters, and Spenser Thompson-Meyers kicked a pair of field goals in the final seven minutes to seal the win.

SERIES

Saturday's game is the 31st between the two teams. UW-Whitewater leads the all time series 18-9-3, and has won the last five meetings between the two teams. The Warhawks and Green Knights last met in the first round of the 2013 NCAA Playoffs, when UW-Whitewater claimed a 31-7 victory at Perkins Stadium en route to its fifth national championship.

WHAT'S NEXT

The winner of Saturday's contest moves on to the second round on Nov. 28 to play the winner of the first round game between Lakeland and sixth-ranked host Wheaton (Ill.).

NOTABLE

• After falling in their first three home postseason games (1988, 1990, 1997), the Warhawks have won 30 consecutive NCAA Division III Playoff contests at Perkins Stadium.
• UW-Whitewater has scored 60 or more points in four games this season, the most in school history. The Warhawks tallied 60 points twice in 1998, 2005 and 2010.