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Undefeated Warhawks meet undefeated Wittenberg on Saturday

WHITEWATER — Something has to give in Saturday's NCAA Division III quarterfinal football game between Wittenberg University and UW-Whitewater.

The second-ranked Warhawks (12-0) are fourth in the country in scoring with a 45.08 per-game average.

Wittenberg (12-0) has the top-ranked scoring defense in Division III. The Tigers are allowing only 7.0 points per game, and have not allowed more than 17 points in any game this season.

"It's a great storyline, no doubt about it," Whitewater coach Lance Leipold said. "After watching their defense on film, it's pretty easy to see why they've been so successful.

"What sticks out is how every guy seems to run around and make plays."

Although Leipold knows the Tigers are the biggest threat yet to an unprecedented fifth straight trip to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, he loves the way the Warhawks are playing. Whitewater has outscored its two playoff opponents, 115-14, and seems to be on a collision course with Mount Union.

"The games get bigger and bigger each week," Leipold said. "But our focus remains the same. Our job is to maintain consistency, and to treat this game as a step along the way.

"And all week, we're going to continue talking about a sense of urgency and maintaining our concentration level."

As dominating as Whitewater has been offensively, and Wittenberg defensively, there isn't much of a dropoff on the other side of the ball for both teams. Whitewater is third in scoring defense with a 8.17 per-game scoring average, and Wittenberg is 15th in scoring offense with a 38.67 per-game average.

Tiger quarterback Aaron Huffman became the school's all-time passing leader earlier this season and holds virtually every Wittenberg passing record. Huffman's 6,307 career passing yards broke the 45-year-old mark of 5,575 set by NCAA Hall of Famer Charlie Green (1961-64).

After missing all but two games last season, Huffman returned for his senior season and is seventh nationally in passing efficiency at 166.3.

"They're undefeated for a reason," Leipold said of the Tigers. "They do a lot of things well, on both sides of the ball, and don't beat themselves.

"As has been the case for us all season, it will be important to come out early and set the tone."

The Warhawks counter with an offense that is as balanced as any in the country. Running back Levell Coppage is third in D3 with a 147-yard per-game average, while senior quarterback Jeff Donovan is third in passing efficiency at 184. Senior Jeff Schebler is the NCAA Division III all-time leading scorer for placekickers, and the Warhawks are fourth overall in total offense (501.17).