Related Links:2015 D3football.com All-Region TeamsUW-Whitewater Football Playoffs Central Eight members of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team were selected All-West Region by D3football.com.
Senior linebacker
Justin Dischler (Milwaukee/Pius XI), senior defensive back
Ryan Winske (Omro/Omro) and junior offensive lineman
Austin Jones (Madison, Wis./Memorial) garnered first team accolades. Senior running back
Jordan Ratliffe (Milwaukee/Milwaukee Vincent), junior offensive linemen
Tony Koepnick (Sussex/Hamilton) and
Spencer Shier (Pardeeville/Portage) and junior defensive lineman
Brandon Tamsett (Waterford/Waterford-Union) earned second team honors. Junior wide receiver
Marcus Hudson (Delavan, Wis./Delavan-Darien) was tabbed third team all-region.
All eight players have helped the No. 5 Warhawks (12-1 overall) reach the NCAA Division III Playoffs national semifinals, where they'll face top-ranked Mount Union (Ohio) Saturday at 11 a.m. Central Time.
Dischler is now a two-time first team all-region selection. He ranks third on the team with 72 tackles, including 4.5 for a loss and two sacks. He also enters Saturday's game with three interceptions, five passes defended and a forced fumble.
Winske, who plays an integral role in setting the defense, leads the secondary with 73 tackles, including 3.0 for a loss. He is tied for the conference lead with five interceptions and is second on the team with 10 passes defended.
Jones, Koepnick and Shier comprise three-fifths of the Warhawks' starting offensive line. The three first-time all-region honorees help UW-Whitewater maintain a balanced offense, which averages 231.9 rushing yards per game and 215.9 yards per game. Behind the offensive line, the Warhawks have thrown a nation-low two interceptions and have allowed just 1.23 sacks per game.
Ratliffe enters the weekend ranked seventh in the nation in rushing yards (1,615) and touchdowns (23), and averages 6.2 yards per carry. He has six 100-yard rushing performances for the year, including four straight entering Saturday's semifinal.
Tamsett leads the team's defensive line with 42 tackles, including 7.0 for a loss and 3.5 sacks. He has helped UW-Whitewater allow just 98.1 rushing yards per game, good for first in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference and 15th in NCAA Division III.
Hudson has emerged as the Warhawks' top target at wide receiver. He leads the team in receptions (54), receiving yards (942) and receiving touchdowns (9). He ranks among the league's top 10 in yards, touchdowns, yards per game (72.5) and yards per reception (17.4).
All eight players were selected All-WIAC in November. Ratliffe, Dischler, Winske, Hudson, Koepnick, Shier and Tamsett were named to the first team. Jones was a second team honoree.
