The Warhawk seniors pose with their families prior to the game against Carleton
UW-Whitewater defeated Carleton 69-7 on Saturday in its season opener. UWW scored 55 unanswered points across nine scoring drives after the game was 14-7 in the first quarter.
The UW-Whitewater faithful came out to Perkins Stadium to celebrate the seniors and the Warhawks gave them a show setting numerous records in the season-opener. Darrick Hill (Stoughton, Wis./Stoughton) set the program records for the longest run from scrimmage and longest touchdown run (98-yards), the Warhawks set the record for total offense in a single game (762 yards) – also ranked fourth in WIAC history – and UWW tied the single game record for passing touchdowns with six.
UWW’s offense turned three long plays into first-quarter touchdowns, with Hill’s record-breaking 98-yard run and Justin Klinkner (Two Rivers, Wis./Two Rivers) connecting with Jacques Brooks (Franklin, Wis./Franklin) for an 84-yard score. After Carleton made it 14-7, UWW answered on its next possession when Klinkner found Tyler Vasey (Crystal Lake, Ill/Prairie Ridge) for a 61-yard touchdown. The Warhawks finished the quarter ahead 21-7 after totaling 290 yards of offense.
In the second quarter, UWW put up 21 points, with Klinkner throwing two 18-yard touchdown passes to Brooks and Tommy Novotny (Milwaukee, Wis./Marquette) adding a 32-yard touchdown run. The defense held Carleton without a first down in the quarter and forced three punts, including a stop for a loss by Noah Moris (Union Grove, Wis./Union Grove) on third down. UWW entered halftime ahead 42-7.
UW-Whitewater scored on each of its first three possessions of the third quarter, adding touchdown passes of 25 yards from Klinkner to Vasey and 34 yards from Cole Warren (Roscoe, Ill./Hononegah) to Kade Sainz (Goshen, Ind./North Ridge) before Hunter Liszka (St. Charles, Ill./St. Charles North) hit a 25-yard field goal. The defense kept Carleton scoreless in the quarter and produced two fumble recoveries, with Drew Kortz (Freedom, Wis./Freedom) forcing one recovered by Josh Lambert (Downers Grove, Ill./Downers Grove North) and Jayden Daniel (Glen Ellyn, Ill./Glenbard West) forcing another recovered by Ashton Maney (Three Lakes, Wis./Three Lakes). UWW finished the quarter ahead 59-7.
Maney’s interception at the UWW 45 with 13:33 left led to a five-play, 55-yard drive, capped by Jayveon Gold’s (Milwaukee, Wis./Whitnall) 20-yard touchdown run and Grant Urban’s (Frankfort, Ill./Lincoln-Way East) extra point for a 69-7 lead. Earlier, Urban made a 25-yard field goal, and the Warhawks finished the fourth quarter with 90 rushing yards while holding Carleton scoreless.
Klinkner completed 20 of 23 passes for 366 yards and five touchdowns. Brooks caught six passes for 145 yards including three touchdowns. Vasey added nine receptions for 123 yards and two touchdowns. Hill rushed eight times for 129 yards and one touchdown.
The Warhawks return to Perkins Stadium next Saturday for a 1 PM kickoff against St. Xavier.
Editor’s note: This report is from the UW-W Athletics website.
