Chicago, Ill. — The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team cruised to a 37-0 win over Saint Xavier in the Warhawks’ first road test of the season.
After getting it done with the ground game a week ago, the Warhawks showcased their prowess in the passing game Saturday. UWW registered 243 yards on 22-27 – an average of 11 yards per completion – through the air adding three passing TDs. UW-Whitewater’s defense was suffocating in the game — allowing just six first downs and holding the Cougars to just 107 yards of total offense in the shutout.
Tyler Vasey put the Warhawks ahead late in the first quarter. The shifty receiver hauled in a short pass just outside the 30, cut back to the inside and then bounced it to the far side to scamper into the endzone untouched. Seth Adams split the uprights for the 7-0 UWW lead.
A 68-yard return on the ensuing kickoff gave the Cougars great field position at the UWW 20, but the stifling Warhawk defense was up to the task. On 3rd and 11, the pocket collapsed, and UW-Whitewater chased the SXU quarterback to his right. A lofted ball toward the goal line had the fans on the edge of their seats when Dom Beres dove in front of the receiver for a phenomenal interception just outside of the endzone.
In the second quarter, Adams extended the lead with his boot. The sophomore drilled a 52-yard field goal to cap a 12-play, 42-yard drive that took over six minutes and pushed the margin to 10-0.
The UWW defense held on the next drive forcing a punt and giving the Warhawks good field position with less than four to go before the break. Justin Klinkner and the offense didn’t need much time to find the endzone. Klinkner found Blake Haggerty for a 20-yard gain and then took it up the middle on a designed run for five more. On 2nd and 5 from the SXU 28, Klinkner was flushed out of the pocket to his left. He scrambled away from the pressure, throwing off of his back foot to find a wide-open Haggerty in the endzone. Adams’ point after made it 17-0.
The Warhawk defense continued to smother the Cougar offense, refusing to allow a first down as SXU turned the ball over on downs at their own 28. Klinkner found Haggerty on the first play of the UW-Whitewater drive for a 15-yard gain. Collin Fritts hauled in the next pass for five more down to the SXU 8. Klinkner punched it on a delayed quarterback keeper. Adams’ extra point was tipped but still sailed through the uprights for a 24-0 Warhawk lead.
UW-Whitewater continued to tack on points in the second half. Adams hit from 33-yards out to extend the gap to 27-0. Patrick Lippe hauled in a touchdown catch through good coverage from 11 yards out to cap a 14-play, 99-yard drive and push the lead to 33-0. The Warhawks capitalized on a Jayden Fowler interception with a 34-yard field goal from Seth Adams to round out the scoring in the contest.
Klinkner was 20-24 for 227 yards and 3 touchdowns through the air. He added another TD with his feet. His top target was Vasey who hauled in 7 catches for 92 yards including a touchdown grab. Klinkner spread the ball around completing passes to 10 different Warhawks in the game.
Adams registered another perfect game with his boot hitting 3-3 for field goals and all 4 point after attempts.
Defensively, Ethan Gallagher paced the Warhawks with seven tackles including 1.5 tackles for a loss adding a quarterback hurry. He teamed up with Lucas Sadler for a sack.
UW-Whitewater will be back on the road next Saturday with a big game at Mary Hardin-Baylor in Belton, Texas.
