The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team continues postseason play Saturday at Wheaton in an NCAA Division III Playoffs second round matchup at McCully 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 Thunder is making its ninth trip to the national tournament after earning an automatic bid by winning the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin.


Saturday's game will be broadcast live locally on Kool 106.5 FM WKCH and online at 940wfaw.com, with Gary Douglas (play-by-play) and Arnie Peck (analysis) on the call. Wheaton will also provide coverage via live statistics and live video.

UW-Whitewater rushed for a season-best 412 yards, the team's most in one game since 2010, and forced five turnovers en route to a 48-0 triumph over previously unbeaten St. Norbert last Saturday in a first-round contest at Perkins Stadium. Playing on a snow-painted field, the Warhawks recorded 492 yards of total offense and stymied the Green Knights' offensive attack. UW-Whitewater finished with four sacks and held a five-minute advantage in time of possession.

The Warhawks are ranked fifth in the latest D3football.com Top 25 and eighth in the most recent 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. 

Wheaton tallied 14 points in the first 1:02 of its first-round NCAA contest, finishing with 291 rushing yards while forcing five turnovers in a 55-6 home victory over Lakeland. Running backs Jackson Fain and Sola Olateju collected two touchdowns apiece and two others also rushed for at least 61 yards for the Thunder, which held Lakeland to just 69 yards of total offense. Wheaton also finished with 14 tackles for a loss, including eight sacks.

SERIES

Saturday's game is the third between the two teams. UW-Whitewater leads the all time series 3-0, with all contests being played between 1935-37.

WHAT'S NEXT

The winner of Saturday's contest moves on to the quarterfinal round on Dec. 5 to play the winner of the second round game between Ohio Northern and third-ranked host UW-Oshkosh.

NOTABLE
 

• The Warhawks are unbeaten (7-0) in NCAA Division III Playoffs true road games all time. UW-Whitewater last played in a postseason true road game on Dec. 14, 2013, when it defeated Mary Hardin-Baylor 16-15 in a thrilling contest in Belton, Texas. The Warhawks went on to capture their fifth national championship in seven years.
• Despite the school's close proximity to Illinois, this is UW-Whitewater's first playoff game against an opponent from the state since 2010, when it defeated North Central 20-10 in a quarterfinal game.