Despite my cancer, I just wanted to become emotionally invested in my Warhawks this week

                          

As many of you know, I am in my 452^nd day since being diagnosed with inoperable and incurable stage IV colorectal cancer with liver metastases. The disease has resulted in chronic fatigue and has drastically cut back on my promotion of UW-Whitewater football.

How much do I love the Warhawks? I have a book that is scheduled to be published next summer. The title of the forthcoming book is: Battling cancer through family, friends and Warhawk football: One day at a time.

I love writing about Warhawk football. It is my passion. I started the Website warhawkfootball.com at the start of the Hawks’ 2003 season. My disease forced me to step away from publishing the site two summers ago. 

Warhawkfootball.com is now in the very capable hands of Jay Perkins, the son of Forrest Perkins, the iconic former Warhawk head coach who passed away in December, 2014.

I am sad that I am unable to physically withstand the trip to Mount Union this week.  I desperately wanted to do what I’ve done for the past 29 years – to publicly promote the UW-Whitewater football program.

For the past two days I’ve been running on adrenaline.

The definition of adrenaline by the Merriam-Webster dictionary is: a substance that is released in the body of a person who is feeling a strong emotion (such as excitement, fear, or anger) and that causes the heart to beat faster and gives the person more energy.

I spent almost 10 hours yesterday writing and publishing photos on Facebook leading up to tomorrow’s showdown of Purple Powers. I intend to stay busy and posting photos for the remainder of the Warhawks drive to make it back to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the 10^th time in the past 11 years.

I sincerely hope that my writing this week will add to your excitement as the Warhawks proceed on the Road to Salem.

Will I physically be able to maintain my current pace? I draw my energy through the inspiration from Stuart Scott’s iconic ESPY speech in 2014.

"So live. Live! Fight like hell. And when you get too tired to fight, then lay down and rest and let somebody else fight for you," Stuart said near the end of his speech.

I draw my inspiration from watching Warhawk football, and to have the privilege of becoming friends with the coaches and many of the players over the years.

I’m using all my energy this week by just trying to make a difference through promotion of the Warhawks.

Thank you Stuart Scott for the inspiration you have given me.

A day at a time.

To view Stuart Scott’s ESPY speech click on the following link:

https://youtu.be/Yl_0ieqSi7Q

A Stagg Bowl berth will be on the line tomorrow in Alliance, Ohio

Over the past decade-plus UW-Whitewater and Mount Union have stood atop NCAA III football. 

Mount Union has made it as far as the semifinals 21 years in a row. Since 2005, Mount Union and UW-Whitewater have advanced to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia all but in 2012.   

Mount has won national titles in 1993, 1996, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2012. the Purple Raiders were National Runner’s-up in: 2003, 2007, 2009, 2010, 2011, 2013, 2014

The Warhawks have been the NCAA III National Champions in 2007, ’09, ’10, 11, ’13, and ’14. 

Mount Union has not lost a regular season game since October 14, 2005 when the Purple Raiders lost to Ohio Northern 20-14 in Ada, Ohio.

The Purple Raiders enter Saturday’s game as the top scoring team in Division III, averaging 55 point per game

Why are the two teams meeting in the semifinal this year? It is the result of UW-Whitewater’s 10-7 loss at UW-Oshkosh back in October. The Warhawks won the rematch last Saturday, 31-29 in quarterfinal action in Oshkosh.

Kickoff Saturday is set for 11 a.m. 

The game will be telecast live via ESPN 3 and the ESPN App.

The game can be heard live on KOOL FM 106.5 WKCH with Gary Douglas providing play-by-play and Arnie Peck giving color analysis. Pregame is 10 a.m. CST.

To listen live, click on the following link:

http://player.streamtheworld.com/liveplayer.php?callsign=WKCHFM 

A new twist to the UW-Whitewater vs. Mount Union rivalry this year

                                  

The UW-Whitewater football team practices under the lights and an amazing sky Wednesday evening

The two most dominating NCAA III football programs will meet a week early this year. Mount Union and UW-Whitewater have met in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl (NCAA III National Championship game in 2005, '06, '07, '08, 09, '10, '11, '13 and 14. This year the two teams meet in the semifinal round out in Alliance, Ohio.

We’re going to their house – and playing at their place,” Bullis indicated at last Saturday’s post game press conference. “I’m kind of embracing that idea to be honest with you.  You talk to any of our juniors and seniors, guys who have had the opportunity to have played against Mount Union. That sounds like a lot of fun. It sounds like a great opportunity and we are looking forward to the playing them on Saturday.” I’ve attended a couple of practices this week and the players are well aware to the challenge they face this week. Senior running back Jordan Ratliffe, who gained 116 yards on the ground in the Warhawks’ 43-34 in last year’s Stagg Bowl win over the Purple Raiders was asked about playing Mount in the NCAA III semifinal on Saturday after meeting them in the Stagg Bowl in nine of the past 10 seasons.

Rattliff talked about approaching Saturday’s showdown of Purple Powers no different than any other game during the season.

“We watch film, get the game plan early in the week and his week its Mount Union,” Ratliffe explained. “It is the same when we have prepared for them in previous year’s Stagg Bowls. 

At Wednesday night’s Quarterback Club radio show senior captain Joe Worth echoed his teammate’s thoughts.

“As a senior, this is incredibly exciting,” Worth told the radio audience.  “I can’t wait, it should be a lot of fun.”

The two teams played non-conference games in 2003 and 2004. Then head coach Bob Berezowitz wanted to get a feel what UW-Whitewater needed to do to get to “national elite” status. It didn't take long.

In 2005, Whitewater qualified for its first Stagg Bowl berth, the first of nine over the next decade. The Purple Raiders dominated the Warhawks in ’05 and ’06 prior to Whitewater capturing the school’s first national football title in 2007. The Hawks of won national titles in five of the next six Stagg Bowl meeting with Mount Union.

Gametime Saturday will be at 11 a.m. Saturday. The game can be seen live on ESPN 3 or the ESPN App. The game will also be broadcast on your radio home for Warhawk football on KOOL 106.5 and streamed online at 940wfaw.com.

Whitewater and Morningside put No. 1 national rankings on the line

                                                 

Two unbeaten and No. 1 ranked teams nationally will square off Thursday evening in Sioux City, Iowa. UW-Whitewater will put it's 34 game win streak on the line when takes on Morningside College in non-conference action.

Morninside is ranked No. 1 in this week's NAIA national poll.  The Mustangs will bring a 3-0 record into the showdown with the Warhawks.

Morningside leads the nation in scoring following its 49-0 shutout over Dordt (Iowa) last Saturday. The Mustangs opened the season with a 77-17 win over Sterling (Kansas), followed by an 86-10 throttling of Nebraska-Wesleyan on Saturday.

Last year Morningside was the No. 1 ranked team offensively in the NAIA.  the Mustangs averaged 55.5 points and 662 yards per game setting 12 national records along the way. The Mustangs posted an 11-2 record and reached the semifinals of the NAIA Championship Series playoffs last season. Morningside has advanced to at least the semifinals of the NAIA Championship Series each of the last three years, including an appearance in the 2012 NAIA Football National Championship Game.

Whitewater rolled 66-3 over Finlandia Saturday afternoon in the Warhawks home opener at Perkins Stadium.

Kickoff Thursday evening will b at 6:04. The game will be televised online via ESPN 3 and will be broadcast live on KOOL 106.5 Radio and also streamed live

Warhawks to open season down in the heart of Dixie

                                                       

Photo courtesy of UW-Whitewater Athletics

                                                      

The UW-Whitewater football team will open the season Saturday afternoon vs. Belhaven University down in Jackson Mississippi. The Blazers, a program since 1998, are set to begin its first year in NCAA III as a member of the American Southwest Conference.

Belhaven opened its season last weekend with a 52-23 loss to Milsaps College. Despite the loss, Belhaven quarterback Clayton Webb passed for 545 yards going 47 for 72, 3 touchdowns and 2 interceptions.

 The Blazers are coached by Hal Mumme inventor of one of the top passing offenses.
The "Air Raid" Offense is a shotgun, spread, pass-first offense designed by the Mad Genius, current head coach Hall Mumme.

With Lance Leipold and much of his staff now at FBS Buffalo (NY), the Kevin Bullis "era" gets underway for the UW-Whitewater program.

This year's team is seeking a 35th Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Championship, third consecutive NCAA III national title and seventh since 2007.
  

UW-Whitewater enters the season on a 32=game win streak, longest in college football (all divisions).

2015 Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend Set For October 2nd & 3rd

                                          

Alumni of the University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football program are invited to the 2015 Warhawk Football Alumni Weekend on October 2nd and 3rd.

The weekend will center around defending NCAA III national champion UW-Whitewater's game vs. UW-Platteville on Saturday, October 3rd at Perkins Stadium. Former head coach Forrest Perkins, who passed away last December, will be recognized with a special pregame tribute.

All former players will receive free admission to the game.

Friday evening a dinner will be held at the 831 Brewhouse (formerly Randy's).

The dinner is open to all players, families and supporters ($20 per ticket). The dinner will be at 6 pm with a social beginning at 5 pm.

Championship teams to be recognized at dinner: 1960 (55 years), 1975 (40 years), 1980 (35 years), 1990 (25 years), 2005 (10 years), 2010 (5 years).

A golf outing will be held on Friday (12-noon start) at the Whitewater Country Club ($25 including cart)

On Saturday, a pregame tailgate will be held in the Perkins Stadium parking lot. The event is sponsored by UW-Whitewater football, Quarterback Club and KOOL 106.5 (The Radio Voice of Warhawk Football since 1963)  All former players and families are invited. The event is free and will include free brats, hot dogs and beverages.

For more information CLICK HERE

Lucas Skibba returns after missing 2014 to torn ACL

                                                 

Lucas Skibba back after missing 2014 to knee injury

“Being able to get back at it feels really good,” Lucas Skibba explains

 

 Last year at this time Skibba had just been named a preseason All-American by D3football.com. The Plover native was going to be the anchor of the offensive line. Just like that, Lucas’ season was over.  A torn ACL early in training camp meant the senior would miss the entire season.

 Skibba told me early-on following his injury that he didn’t want to end his career in street clothes on the sideline.  He vowed to be back in 2015.

 Skibba petitioned the NCAA for an extra year of eligibility due to injury. The request was granted.

 Despite missing being on the playing field last season his presence was felt both on the field and in the locker room.

Last year's O-Line was the youngest for the Warhawks since I came on the scene in 1988. The entire two-deep was made up of freshman and sophomores.

 Lucas used his experience to serve as a defacto student assistant coach in helping lead the Warhawks to a second-consecutive NCAA Division 3 national championship.

 The “red shirt” senior is not ashamed to admit that he was perhaps the “biggest” cheerleader throughout “Warhawk Nation.” Whileout injured. When you are 6’3” and 285 pounds you are classified a big cheerleader.

 Skibba admits that it’s been a challenge the first couple days of training camp.

 “First practice was pretty challenging," Skibba explains. "Today (second practice) I felt like I was really getting back into it. What I notice the most is the speed of the game. It will take practice reps to feel more comfortable.

 With the entire offensive line back from last year, and with the return of Skibba, the senior says his group looks forward to the challenge of repeating as conference champions.

 “We look forward to the challenge,” Skibba told me. “We want to lead the way in establishing another great run game and have pass protection schemes (pass pro shut outs) that will protect our quarterback.”

 The UW-Whitewater offensive line has been a fan favorite over the years at Perkins Stadium. It is summed up in three words – POUND THE ROCK!

“We are the guys in the trenches,” Skibba explains. “We relish the importance of our role of doing our job well each and every play. That’s our job. Their can’t be any excuses.”

 As as been the case each and every year, their is absolutely no talk of another Stagg Bowl berth for the Warhawks.

“As we say here every week, we have to keep pressing forward  and be 1 and 0 each and every week – every opponent.” Skibba said.

 To be successful, don’t get looking at the big picture. Keep your focus, one play, one practice, one game at a time.

POUND THE ROCK