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Three-man attack sparks Warhawks

If UW-Whitewater makes another run at its sixth straight appearance in the NCAA Division III national championship game, it's three-headed rushing attack will have thousands of footprints marking the way.

Levell Coppage, Booker Stanley and Antwan Anderson, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference's third-, fifth- and sixth-leading rushers, respectively, have helped the Warhawks to a 4-0 record.

The No. 1-rated Warhawks, who are 1-0 in the league, take on one of their main challengers Saturday when they host UW-Stout at Perkins Stadium. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m.

The Warhawks have been off since their 49-17 victory at UW-Platteville last Thursday night.

UW-Oshkosh leads the conference with a 2-0 mark, with Whitewater, Stout and Eau Claire tied at 1-0. While Whitewater was the favorite to win its sixth straight conference title, the Blue Devils were the third choice among conference sports information directors before the season.

The Warhawks and Blue Devils are 1-2 in several league statistical categories, including total defense and scoring offense.

First-year coach Clayt Birmingham has a Stout team that is scoring an average of 31.8 points per game, while allowing just 11.2.

"I'm very impressed in what they're doing," Warhawk coach Lance Leipold said. "They've won a lot of close games."

The Blue Devils average 419 total yards, including 224 passing. Junior quarterback Ross Carey has completed 64 percent of his passes for seven touchdowns.

Craig Warminski is averaging 60.8 yards rushing, and also returns kickoffs on punts

Linebacker Trevor Fiege has 18 solo and 14 assisted tackles to lead the Stout defense.

Leipold said the Blue Devils mix up their defensive fronts, which puts pressure on the offensive line to make correct blocking calls.

"They switch from four-man to three-man fronts, and they do it very well," Leipold said. "In nickel-type situations, they'll use three down linemen and five linebackers. You have to cover lots of assignments."

The Warhawks have displayed enough firepower to make any defense sweat, helped by Coppage, Stanley and Anderson.

Coppage ranks third in the WIAC, averaging 102.2 yards per game and 7.4 per carry. Stanley is fifth, averaging 101 and 8.8, while Anderson is sixth at 79.8 and 5.5.

The Warhawks top the league in rushing with an average of 324.5, which leaves second-ranked Stout far behind at 191.5.

Combined with the passing of quarterback Matt Blanchard, the Warhawks are ranked No. 1 in the nation in total offense at 575 yards per game.

Keeping three talented backs happy could be a challenge, but Leipold says everything is running smoothly.

"What is equally important is the attitude of these three guys has been outstanding," Leipold said. "They get along well, and it's great to watch them enjoy their success."

As the season moves along, spreading the carries among three backs will pay major dividends.

Blanchard ranks first in the conference in passing, averaging 250 yards a game while completing 72 percent of his passes for 10 touchdowns.

"He's more comfortable back there," Leipold said. "He has more confidence, and the coaches are feeling in sync with him, and what he's doing well."

The Warhawk defense ranks first in scoring average, holding opponents to an average of 7.8 points and 192.2 total yards per game. Linebacker Lane Olson has 10 solo and 14 assisted tackles.

Two areas of concern for Leipold are penalties and special teams' play.

The Warhawks had 11 penalties against Platteville, and freshman Eric Kindler is just 1 of 7 in field-goal attempts, including one that was blocked. In addition, the Warhawks had a punt blocked at Platteville.

"The kicking game is not where it was," Leipold said. "We've had two kicks blocked. That's not acceptable. We have to do a better job, and I'm very confident those things will be corrected."

Saturday's game is Family Day. The forecast is for sunshine with temperatures in the mid-70s.