The No. 3 University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team fell behind by double digits in the first half Saturday and was unable to cut into the deficit in a 24-7 setback against No. 2 Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) in a semifinal of the NCAA Division III Playoffs at Perkins Stadium.
 
The Warhawks (13-1 overall), who were playing in their 13th semifinal round in the last 16 years, conclude the season following their 38th Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and 17th appearance in the NCAA Division III Playoffs.
 
The Crusaders (14-0) totaled 309 yards through the air and held the ball for nearly 12 minutes in the fourth quarter to maintain their lead.
 
UW-Whitewater was held to 64 yards rushing and 271 yards of offense, and was limited to 5-of-15 conversions on third down.
 
Max Meylor (Mt. Horeb, Wis./Mt. Horeb) finished 23-of-32 passing for 207 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Holte (Elgin, Ill./St. Edward Central Catholic) caught six passes for 91 yards and one touchdown, and Alex Peete (Ringwood, Ill./Johnsburg) rushed for 43 yads and tallied 38 yards receiving.
 
Mark McGrath (Lisle, Ill./Lisle) led the defense with 10 tackles, while Shane McGrail (Plainfield, Ill./North) finished with eight stops, including 1.5 for a loss. Thomas Wojnowski (Oak Creek, Wis./Oak Creek) and Kyle Koelblinger (Crystal Lake, Ill./Prairie Ridge) collected seven tackles apiece.
 
After a scoreless first quarter, Mary Hardin-Baylor completed a 14-play, 82-yard drive in the end zone to take a 7-0 advantage with 13:00 on the clock.
 
After a UW-W turnover, the Crusaders scored another touchdown with 9:46 on the clock to double their advantage.
 
Following a UMHB field goal, the Warhawks drove 80 yards in 12 plays as Meylor hit Holte over the middle for a 9-yard score with 1:01 remaining in the second quarter.
 
Mary Hardin-Baylor scored on its first drive of the third quarter, punching it in on fourth and goal from the 1-yard line for a 24-7 advantage with 6:31 to play in the period.
 
UW-Whitewater was unable to get back in the scoring column the rest of the way.