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Submit Your Favorite Perkins Stadium Memory
As part of the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the opening of Perkins Stadium, the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Department of Intercollegiate Athletics presents the "Perkins Stadium at 50" series Presented by UW Credit Union, a look at some of the most memorable moments and games in the history of the stadium.
On Nov. 12, 2005, the Warhawks clinched their first undefeated regular season since 1997 and put the finishing touches on their Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship season with a 35-16 victory over UW-River Falls at Perkins Stadium.
The win also completed UW-Whitewater's first 10-0 regular season since 1990.
"I'm so happy for these guys," Head Coach Bob Berezowitz told the Janesville Gazette following the game. "They won't realize what this means to be 10-0 for probably another 10 to 15 years."
The Warhawks led 20-0 through the first 20 minutes of regulation after a pair of touchdown runs by quarterback Justin Jacobs and a 1-yard rushing score by fullback Travis Reuland.
The Falcons tallied two of the next three touchdowns in the contest, drawing to within 28-16 at the 5:41 mark of the third quarter.
UW-Whitewater eventually sealed the game on Jacobs' 21-yard touchdown pass to Pete Schmitt with just over three minutes remaining in the fourth quarter.
Jacobs, who broke Berezowitz's 39-year-old record for passing yards in one season during the first half and eventually finished the season with a then-record 3,556 passing yards, finished with 179 yards and one touchdown, and ran for two touchdowns. Running back Justin Beaver totaled 30 carries for 145 yards and one touchdown, and wide receiver Derek Stanley caught four passes for 75 yards.
Robb Widuch and A.J. Raebel collected 22 and 20 tackles, respectively, to lead the Warhawks' defense, which held UW-River Falls to 3.4 yards per play. Victor Wippenfurth recorded eight tackles and returned an interception 41 yards.
One week later, UW-Whitewater began its run in the NCAA Playoffs, eventually finishing as national runner-up. The Warhawks hosted their first postseason game since 1997 on Nov. 19, 2005, downing Central (Iowa) 34-14.
UW-W advanced to the quarterfinals for the first time since becoming a member of NCAA Division III with a 34-7 win over St. John's (Minn.) in the second round. The team traveled to Linfield (Ore.) in the third round, posting a thrilling 44-41 triumph, and punched its ticket to the Stagg Bowl with a 58-6 win over Wesley (Del.) in the semifinal, which was played at Perkins Stadium.
