The Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks are champions once again.
Since Lance Leipold took over the the program in 2007, the Warhawks have done nothing but win football games.
The team’s sixth championship -- all under Leipold’s watch -- came Friday in Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl XLII when the Warhawks once again beat the Mount Union Purple Raiders 42-34 to claim the program’s second straight Division III national championship.Since 2006, Mount Union has lost 6 games. All 6 losses have been to UW-Whitewater in D-III title game.
— ESPN Stats & Info (@ESPNStatsInfo) December 20, 2014
Leipold will leave the program in style.As the fastest coach ever at any level of college football to reach 100 wins, Leipold was tabbed as the next head coach of the Buffalo Bulls. It’s a big jump in competition for a Division III head coach, but Leipold just must be the exception if his early success as a head coach is any indication.
Whitewater’s Lance Leipold finishes 109-6 in 8 yrs. As many D3 titles (6) as losses. Post-season mark: 34-1. #Badgers
— Jeff Potrykus (@jaypo1961) December 20, 2014
The two teams combined for 1,168 total yards and seven turnovers.
Mount Union shot itself in the foot with five turnovers. Quarterback Kevin Burke -- the only two-time winner of the Gagliardi Trophy as the top player at the Division III level -- threw four interceptions. He only threw five the entire season before Friday’s effort.
Wisconsin-Whitewater quarterback Matt Behrendt, meanwhile, received plenty of help as he completed 26 of 38 passes for 365 yards and four touchdowns.
Warhawks wide receiver Jake Kumerow was the best player on the field. The 6-5 target was nearly unstoppable throughout the contest and finished the game with eight receptions for 130 yards. Dennis Moore added 108 yards only on two catches. Finally, running back Jordan Ratliffe proved to be a workhorse with 24 carries for 116 yards.
Wisconsin-Whitewater’s offensive production along with Mount Union’s turnovers were the recipe for yet another Warhawks championship.
After meeting each other in the Stagg Bowl nine out of the last 10 years, Wisconsin-Whitewater has now gotten the best of Mount Union six out of the last seven times.
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) December 20, 2014