It’s reported that after the game the Warhawks’ charter plane took off from Texas at 1 a.m. on Saturday and returned to the airport about 10 minutes later due to an engine problem. The scheduled return to Whitewater had been approximately 4 a.m., which would have make it possible for some of the team members and the Chancellor to participate in graduation at 10 a.m. Instead they spent the night at the airport awaiting a replacement plane, which arrived at about 8 a.m.
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by Chris Lindeke, Asst. Athletic Director, Strategic Communications and Branding, UW-W
Friday, December 20, 2019
UW-Whitewater Football Finishes as National Runner-Up
SHENANDOAH, Texas – The No. 7 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team fell behind early Friday night and was unable to overcome the early deficit in a 41-14 setback against No. 5 North Central (Ill.) in Stagg Bowl XLVII, the NCAA Division III national championship game, at Woodforest Bank Stadium.
Appearing in their first Stagg Bowl since 2014, the Warhawks (13-2 overall) surrendered 27 first-half points and were unable to gain any momentum during the contest.
Junior quarterback Max Meylor tallied 15 carries for 104 yards and threw for 183 yards and one touchdown. Junior running back Alex Peete posted 17 carries for 79 yards and one score, and sophomore wide receiver Tyler Holte caught six passes for 64 yards.
Senior defensive back Nate Tranel paced the defense with 11 tackles, and senior linebacker Matt Anderson collected 10 tackles. Senior defensive lineman Jordan Brand totaled nine stops, including one for a loss, and freshman linebacker Terrell Williams finished with six tackles, including one sack.
The Warhawks, who finished with 207 yards rushing in the contest, were unable to convert on two trips inside the Cardinals’ 30-yard line in the first half.
After a North Central touchdown midway through the third quarter, UW-Whitewater got on the board. Freshman wide receiver Sam DeLany returned the ensuing kickoff 65 yards, Meylor hit junior tight end Jared Zausch for a 12-yard touchdown with 4:52 to play in the period.
The Warhawks made it a three-possession game after Peete plunged in from one yard out to complete a 15-play, 92-yard drive. Meylor keyed the drive with a 44-yard run and a 27-yard pass to Holte on fourth-and-19.
Senior linebacker Jacob Erbs recovered the ensuing onside kick at midfield, but UW-Whitewater was unable to take advantage, turning the ball back over to the Cardinals (14-1).
UW-Whitewater’s 2019 run included a share of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championship and playoff wins over Monmouth (Ill.), Wartburg (Iowa), defending national champion Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) and St. John’s (Minn.).
