Salem Stadium

Football

Round Five ... Whitewater and Mount Union in National Championship

UW-Whitewater will face Mount Union College in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III championship game, Saturday, December 19 at 10:00 (Central) in Salem Stadium in Salem, Virginia.   UW-W Championship Central Site
 
Won-Loss: UW-Whitewater is 14-0 overall. UW-W earned its NCAA berth by winning the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference with a 7-0 record. Mount Union is 14-0 overall. Mount Union earned its NCAA berth by winning the Ohio Athletic Conference with a 9-0 record.
 
This Season: UW-W defeated Dickinson State 38-3 (7-4), Midland Lutheran 58-0 (6-5), Puget Sound 42-7 (0-9), UW-Platteville 35-3 (3-7), UW-Eau Claire 38-14 (6-4), UW-Stout 38-3 (8-2), UW-River Falls 38-14 (3-7), UW-Stevens Point 41-12 (7-3), UW-Oshkosh 40-7 (4-6), UW-La Crosse 58-21 (5-5), Lakeland College 70-7 (6-5),Illinois Wesleyan University (10-2), Wittenberg University 31-13 (12-1) and Linfield College 27-17 (13-1) last Saturday.  Whitewater is 10-0 at home and 4-0 on the road. Whitewater's opponents have a combined record of 86-60 (.593). Mount Union defeated St. John Fisher 52-10 (6-3), Ohio Northern 30-10 (8-2), Muskingum 45-14 (4-6), Baldwin-Wallace 30-0 (3-7), Capital 28-21 (7-3), Heidelberg 44-14 (4-6), Wilmington 56-0 (1-9), John Carroll 56-7 (3-7), Otterbein 58-7 (8-2), Marietta 56-0 (3-7), Washington & Jefferson 55-0 (9-2), Montclair State 62-14 (10-2), Albright 55-3 (11-2), and last week Wesley 24-7 (13-1). Mount Union is 9-0 at home and 5-0 on the road. Mount Union's opponents have a cumulative record of 90-59 (.604).
 
By the Numbers: UW-W's offensive line averages 281 pounds. It matches up with Mount Union's defensive line that averages 293 pounds. On the other side of the ball, the UW-W defensive front averages 267 pounds versus a Purple Raider offensive line that averages 246.  UW-W starts three seniors and no freshmen on offense, and seven seniors and no freshmen on defense. Mount starts eight seniors and no freshmen on offense, and nine seniors and no freshmen on defense.

Get Out Your Purple: Both teams use the same shade of purple as their primary color, and both use black, white and grey/silver to accent. While this is an advantage if you're strolling the parking lot and looking for the best food before the game, it is tough to know who to high five. 
 
The Coaches: Whitewater's Lance Leipold, in his third season, is 41-3 overall and 19-1 in WIAC play. Mount Union head coach Larry Kehres, in his twenty-fourth season as the Purple Raiders' head coach, owns a 275-21-3 record overall, 192-8-3 in NWC play.
 
Whitewater-Mount Union, Part Cinco: This is, as you have no doubt heard until your ears bleed, the fifth consecutive year that these teams have earned their way to Salem. In 2005 Mount won 35-28. In 2006 Mount won 26-16. Whitewater won 31-21 in 2007. Mount won the 2008 game 31-26. 
 
Common Opponent: Nope.
 
Mount Union Last Week:  Mount defeated Wesley 24-7 in Alliance, Ohio. Wesley pulled within 10-7 in the third quarter, and was still within three early in the fourth before the Purple Raiders put two touchdowns on the board to close it out. The big news in the game was an injury that took MU QB Kurt Rocco out in the first half. Wide receiver Cecil Shorts, the guy who caught two TD passes to put Whitewater on its heels last year, moved to the QB spot and directed the win. No matter where he plays, Shorts is someone to reckon with. As the Wesley coach pointed out, with Shorts at QB it just means that a great player handles the ball every play. That isn't a put down for Rocco however, who leads Division III in passing efficiency and completes more than 70% of his passes (a la Jeff Donovan (Wauwatosa/East), who is third in passing efficiency.) Shorts attempted just two passes, didn't complete either, but he did rush for 98 yards after catching two of Rocco's three completions before he moved behind the center. The MU defense limited Wesley to 196 total yards and forced four turnovers. Mount also registered five sacks.
 
Mount Union and Whitewater in the NCAA Stats: You can cover both teams by saying they are among the top five in ... then pick your category.  This is the unmovable defense against the unstoppable offense, on both sides. 
 
In the Polls:  Surprise! Not. This matchup isn't news to anyone who follows Division III football. These teams have been 1-2 (Mount, WW) in both national polls, American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com, since the preseason polls.
 
Tickets/Schedule:   This is yet. Like all the holiday sales, this is your last chance for 2009. Advance tickets are being sold at UW-Whitewater until 12:00 noon Wednesday, Dec. 16th (262)-472-2222
$7.00 for Students ($7.00 on game day)
$12.50 for Adults ($15.00 on game day)
After Wednesday, tickets can be ordered by calling: Salem Civic Center (540)-375-3004 
 
 
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Whitewater Season Synopsis:
One repetition, one player, one practice, one game at a time. That credo has been drilled in since, appropriately, day one.
 
Robbie Ustruck (West Allis/Hale), Matt Weber (Oregon/Oregon), Garth Coats (Evansville/Evansville), Mark Gawronski (New Berlin/Eisenhower), Grant Murray (Waukesha/Homestead). One group. Even the most die-hard Warhawk fans, parents excluded, would be hard pressed to name UW-Whitewater's starters on the offensive line. But without the “pound the rock” mantra of this group other names would appear in fewer headlines.
 
The Warhawks rank fourth in scoring offense and fourth in offensive yardage in NCAA III statistics. UW-Whitewater is also third in passing efficiency, not in small part as a result of giving the fourth fewest sacks in Division III. UW-W is about to break school records for points, touchdowns, first downs, yards rushing and total offense, among others.
 
But it would be unfair to say the group has a Rodney Dangerfield complex. They have earned respect. Weber, Coats and Ustruck were First Team All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, and tight end John Novak (Michigan City, IN/Michigan City), an integral part of the unit, was an honorable mention selection. Weber and Ustruck were also named D3football.com First Team All-West Region.
 
Talented players have thrived in partnership with the guys up front. Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford), just a junior, owns the UW-W record for career receptions, is less than a football field away from the school's career yardage mark, and is likely to break the WIAC mark for catches before the season ends. Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) is making a bid to become just the second player in school history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season (the other being former Gagliardi Trophy winner Justin Beaver who accomplished the feat twice). As he completes his sophomore season, Coppage is already seventh on UW-W's career rushing list. Jeff Donovan (Wauwatosa/East), the WIAC Offensive Player of the Year, is tied for third in career touchdown passes and season TD's thrown, both ironically with the man that recruited him, former Warhawk quarterback and former head coach Bob Berezowitz. One successful part of the team.
 
While one unit, the offense, has been re-writing the record book, another has been content to turn the ball back to their offensive brethren. The Warhawk defense is second in scoring defense and fifth in total defense in Division III. All-American Anthony White (Milwaukee/Bay View) has climbed into fifth place in career sacks in the school record book and defensive back Troney Shumpert (Milwaukee/Bay View) has lived up to his preseason All-American recognition. Both were joined by linebacker Kyle Supianoski (Tama, IA/South) on the WIAC First Team Defense. Five teammates joined them as second team or honorable mention picks.

One more. The Warhawks were also fortunate to have a Davenport, Iowa native walk on to campus four years ago. Placekicker Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption), already a three-time All-American, is the most prolific scoring kicker in NCAA – any division, history. 
 
The Warhawk coaching staff has always said there is one more. One more session in the weight room, one more play that can be executed better, one more piece of video to watch. Now, as the 2009 season draws to a close, there is just one. 
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University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Notes
·          Senior placekicker Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption) is a finalist for the Fred Mitchell Award. In its inaugural season, the Mitchell Award will recognize the top placekicker from Division II and Division III, combined.
·          Schebler is the all-time kick scoring leader in NCAA history, all divisions. He has amassed 462 points, surpassing the previous record of 433 held by Art Carmody of the University of Louisville (2004-2007). Schebler also holds nine school records and six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference records. 
·          UW-W has compiled a 69-5 record since the start of the 2005 season. In that span the Warhawks are 39-1 in the WIAC and have won 39 of 40 games in Perkins Stadium.
·          UW-W is 17-3 in NCAA playoff games in Perkins Stadium, and 16-0 since the start of 2005.
·          Head coach Lance Leipold fits the job description. Forrest Perkins, for whom UW-W's stadium is named, coached the team from 1956 to 1984.   His quarterback on the 1966 team that went to the NAIA championship game was Bob Berezowitz. Berezowitz joined Perkins' staff as an assistant and, in 1985, took over the program.   Leipold played quarterback for Berezowitz, and then served as an assistant coach, in the mid-80's. His career came full circle when he took over when Berezowitz retired after the 2006 season. 
·          Whitewater has been among the NCAA III attendance leaders for years. UW-W was second in Division III in 2008 with an average of 5,387 fans per game. That season included a WIAC record crowd of 11,028 for an October 4 game versus UW-La Crosse. The school has been among the top twenty in Division III attendance eleven times since figures became available in 1994.
·          The Warhawks have four All-Americans on their roster (not including any 2009 honors). Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption) was a second team pick by both D3football.com and the AP in 2006, was first team D3 in 2007, and was second team on both D3 and AP in 2008. RB Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) was a D3 Third Team pick last year, and DL Anthony White (Milwaukee/Bay View) and DB Troney Shumpert (Milwaukee/Bay View) were D3football.com honorable mention selections last year.
·          Sophomore RB Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) in the record book: school and WIAC record for rushing touchdowns (53), breaking the mark held by former Warhawk Justin Beaver. Fifth in UW-W record book for career yards (3,461), and just the third back in school history to rush for 2,000 yards in a season (Justin Beaver did it in 2005 and 2007).

_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
 
Rushing Touchdowns (Career) - WIAC
Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) – holds UW-W and WIAC records for Rushing TD's with 53
1.   Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) (2008-present)………………….53
2.   Justin Beaver (2004-2007)………………………..44
3.    Andy Moriarty (2003-2007)…….....................42

Receptions (Career) - WIAC
Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) – 190 career receptions (UW-W All-time leader)
1.    Scott Burnoski (2001-04) .....................................195
2.    Cody Childs (2003-06) ........................................  193
T3. Brian Gallick (2003-06) ......................................    190
T3. Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) (2007-present)………....................      190

Receiving Yards (Career) - UW-Whitewater
Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) – 2,585 career receiving yards
1.     Derek Stanley (2003-06)……........................2,621
2.     Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) (2007-present).........................2,585
3.     Jim Leszczynski (2002-05)............................2,547

Receiving Yards (Season) - UW-Whitewater
Adam Brandes (Burlington/Catholic Central) – 960 season receiving yards; Jordan Wells (Elgin, IL/Elgin) – 941 season receiving yards
1.     Derek Stanley (2005)……………...….………1,328
2.     Jim Leszczynski (2005)…………….......…...1,217
3.     Derek Stanley (2006)……………...….……… 1,141
4.     Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) (2008)………………………….   .1,133
5.     Neil Mrkvica (2007)…………………………......988
6.     Adam Brandes (Burlington/Catholic Central) (2009)…………………....….....960
7.     Anthony Talton (1991)...………………......…..952
8.     Jordan Wells (Elgin, IL/Elgin) (2009)……………………….…...  941
9.     Steve Tenhagen (2001)…………...……….......914
10.   Jerry Young (1979)………………...………........871

Receptions (Season) - UW-Whitewater
Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) – 64 season receptions, Jordan Wells (Elgin, IL/Elgin) – 59 season receptions
1.      Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) (2008) ………………….……....85
2.      Jim Leszczynski (2005).………………..……80
3.      Neil Mrkvicka (2007)…..…………..…….…...71
4.      Steve Tenhagen (2001)……...………….…..65
5.      Aaron Rusch (Hartford/Hartford) (2009)…………………………...64
T6.    Richard Newton (1995)…………………….…63
T6.    Derek Stanley (2006)...............................63
8.      Roger Gename (1974)……………………...…60
9.      Jordan Wells (Elgin, IL/Elgin) (2009) …………………….….... 59
10     Dick Bilda (1972)……………………………......57

Rushing Yards (Career) - UW-Whitewater
Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) – 3,461 career rushing yards
1.     Justin Beaver (2004-07)...................................6,584
2.     Chad Wurth (2000-03).....................................4,301
3.     Travis Talton (1987-91) ...................................3,783
4.     Spencer Johnson (1992-94)........................3,739
5.     Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) (2008-present)..................3,461
6.     George Rainey (1984-87)...........................3,385
7.     Eddie McKennie (1994-97).........................3,354
8.     John Damato (1995-97)..............................2,852
9.     Mike R. Miller (1981-84)..............................2,693
10.   Bill Roper (1971-73).....................................2,254

Rushing Yards (Season) - UW-Whitewater
Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) – 2,000 season rushing yards
1.     Justin Beaver (2007)......................................2,455
2.     Justin Beaver (2005)......................................2,420
3.     Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park)(2009)....................................2,000
4.     Spencer Johnson (1994)................................1,697
5.     Travis Talton (1988).......................................1,599
6.     George Rainey (1987)....................................1,567
7.     John Damato (1997).......................................1,474
8.     Levell Coppage (Oak Park, IL/Oak Park) (2008)...................................1,461

Passing Touchdowns (Career) - UW-Whitewater
Jeff Donovan (Wauwatosa/East) – 44 career TD's
1.     Justin Jacobs (2003-06)......................................80
2.     Ty Grovesteen (1996-98)....................................48
T3. Bob Berezowitz (1963-66).....................................44
T3.   Jeff Donovan (Wauwatosa/East) (2006-present)..............................44

Passing Touchdowns (Season) - UW-Whitewater
Jeff Donovan (Wauwatosa/East) – 27 season TD's
1.     Justin Jacobs (2006)...........................................36
2.     Justin Jacobs (2005)...........................................35
T3.   Bob Berezowitz (1966)………………………… .........27
T3.   Jeff Donovan (Wauwatosa/East) (2009)………………...…………........  27

                                            Quarterback Sacks (Career) - UW-Whitewater
Anthony White (Milwaukee/Bay View) – 22.5 career sacks
1.     Tony Azarian (1977-80)…………………….………31
2.     Tom Stuebe (1977-79)…………………….………..31
3.     Ryan Kleppe (2003-06)...................................30
4.     Ryan Ogrizovich (2004-07) .............................23
5.      Anthony White (Milwaukee/Bay View) (2006-09)….............................22.5
 
 
TEAM RECORDS…SEASON
Most Touchdowns:  83 in 2005, Currently have 80
Most Points:  617 in 2005, Currently have 597, our 617 is WIAC record
Most Yards Rushing:  3,292 in 2009, Currently have 3,292, WIAC record is 4,034--River Falls, 2000
Most Yards Passing: 4,079 in 2005, Currently have 3,585, WIAC record is 5,248--Stevens Point, 1987
Most Pass Completions: 258 in 2009
Most First Downs:  359 in 2005, Currently have 331, our 359 in 05 is the WIAC record
Most First Downs Rushing: 163 in 2007, Currently have 153
Most First Downs Passing:  165 in 2009
Most Total Offense:  7,367 in 2005, Currently have 6,877
Best Rushing Average:  6.11 in 1997, Currently have 5.75
Best Passing Percentage: .625 in 1979, Currently is .725
 
 
 
Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption) in the Record Books
 
 
 
   Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption) – Davenport, IA/Assumption             Height: 6'                Weight: 182
Year
Pat Made/Attempt
Field Goal
Made/Attempt
1-19
20-29
30-39
40-49
50+
2006
68/70
181/212
0/0
10/11
6/7
2/2
0/1
2007
36/37
213/274
0/0
6/7
9/9
4/8
2/3
2008
58/64
225/296
4/4
4/4
9/13
5/8
0/0
2009
78/80
137/168
1/1
3/3
6/8
3/4
0/0
 Career
240/251
74/93
5/5
23/25
29/35
14/21
2/4
 27 yds, 34 yds, 37yds, 36 yds, 42 yds, 28 yds, 23 yds, 27 yds, 37 yds, 39 yds, 29 yds, 27 yds, 24 yds, 23 yds, 49 yds, 25 yds, 24 yds, 36 yds
2 50 yds, 23 yds, 32 yds
3 35 yds, 29 yds, 52 yds, 21 yds, 42 yds, 33 yds, 41 yds, 52 yds, 34 yds, 23 yds, 46 yds, 31 yds, 37 yds, 40 yds, 32 yds, 35 yds, 22 yds, 29 yds, 25 yds, 39 yds, 32 yds
4 21 yds, 42 yds, 43 yds, 50 yds, 42 yds, 41 yds
5 26 yds, 35 yds, 20 yds, 47 yds, 45 yds, 18 yds, 34 yds, 18 yds, 31 yds, 19 yds, 42 yds, 24 yds, 46 yds, 36 yds, 19 yds, 32 yds, 41 yds, 36 yds, 38 yds, 25 yds, 21 yds, 31 yds
647 yds,39 yds, 34 yds, 42 yds, 33 yds, 42 yds, 39 yds
7 23 yds, 40 yds, 32 yds, 45 yds, 35 yds, 18 yds, 22 yds, 35 yds, 39 yds, 46 yds, 35 yds,
8 33 yds
 
Last Updated December 12, 2009
 
 
 
UW-Whitewater Records
Career Extra Points Attempted (243) First
Career Extra Points Made (232) First
Career Field Goals Attempted (93) First
Career Field Goals Made (80) First
2006 Season Extra Points Attempted (70) Second
2008 Season Extra Points Attempted (64) Fourth
2009 Season Extra Points Attempted (80) First
2007 Season Extra Points Attempted (37) Tenth
2006 Season Extra Points Made (68) Second
2008 Season Extra Points Made (58) Fourth
2009 Season Extra Points Made (78) First
2007 Season Extra Points Made (34) Ninth
2006 Field Goals Attempted (21) Fourth
2007 Field Goals Attempted (27) Second
2008 Field Goals Attempted (29) First
2006 Field Goals Made (18) Third
2007 Field Goals Made (21) Second
2008 Field Goals Made (22) First
2009 Field Goals Made (13) Fifth
All Time Longest Field Goal (52 yds) Tied First,September 15, 2007 vs. St. Cloud State University
All Time Longest Field Goal (52 yds) Tied First, October 13, 2007 vs. UW-Oshkosh
All Time Longest Field Goal (49 yds) Seventh, December 09, 2006 vs. Wesley College

 
WIAC Logo
WIAC Records
All WIAC – 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009                                                                  
Career Points Scored (459) First
Career Field Goals Attempted (93) First
Career Field Goals Made (80) First
Career Extra Points Made (232) First
2008 Season Points Scored (124) Fifth
2007 Season Points Scored (99) Twenty-Fifth
2006 Season Points Scored (122) Seventh
2008 Season Field Goals Attempted (29) First
2007 Season Field Goals Attempted (27) Third
2006 Season Field Goals Attempted (21) Seventh
2008 Season Field Goals Made (22) First
2007 Season Field Goals Made (21) Second
2006 Season Field Goals Made (18) Fourth
2009 Season Extra Points Made (78) Second
2008 Season Extra Points Made (58) Fourth
2007 Season Extra Points Made (36) Twenty-Fifth
2006 Season Extra Points Made (68) Second
2007 Longest Field Goal Made (52) Tied Third accomplished twice
 
 
NCAA
 
NCAA Division III kick scoring record holder (459), previously held by Art Carmody (433) of Louisville (2004-2007)
First all-time in kick scoring for all NCAA divisions -Jeff Schebler (Davenport, IA/Assumption) (459)



Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Honors
 
Named First Team unanimous Offense All-WIAC in 2006
Named First Team unanimous Offense All-WIAC in 2007
Named First Team unanimous Offense All-WIAC in 2008
Named First Team unanimous Offense All-WIAC in 2009
 
All-Region Honors
 
Named First Team D3Football.com All-West Region in 2006
Named First Team D3Football.com All-West Region in 2007
Named Second Team D3Football.com All-West Region in 2008
Named First Team D3Football.com All-West Region in 2009
All-American Honors
 
Named Second Team D3Football.com All-American in 2006
Named Second Team Associated Press College Division All-American in 2006
Named First Team D3Football.com All-American in 2007
                                    Named Second Team D3Football.com All-American in 2008
                                    Named Second Team Associated Press College Division All-American in 2008
                                    Named First Team AFCA Division III in 2009

Other Honors 
 
            Helped UWW win Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship (2006-2009)
Helped UWW earn NCAA championship tournament berths (2006-2009)
Helped UWW advance to NCAA championship game of Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (2006-2009)
Helped UWW win the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in 2007
2009 Fred Mitchell Placekicking Award finalist for September
2009 Fred Mitchell Placekicking Award finalist for October
2009 Fred Mitchell Placekicking Award finalist for November
2009 Gagliardi Trophy semi-finalist 2009



 
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