UW-Whitewater running back Ty Schultz scores one of his four rushing touchdowns during a 51-10 home victory over UW-Eau Claire earlier in WIAC play. Schultz scored four times on the ground, tying the single-game school record and he may be crucial Saturday against DePauw (Ind.) in a NCAA Division III playoff game on what may be a snowy field at Perkins Stadium.
UW-Whitewater running back Ty Schultz scores one of his four rushing touchdowns during a 51-10 home victory over UW-Eau Claire earlier in WIAC play. Schultz scored four times on the ground, tying the single-game school record and he may be crucial Saturday against DePauw (Ind.) in a NCAA Division III playoff game on what may be a snowy field at Perkins Stadium.
OLIVIA ZINANNI/UWW SPORTS COMMUNICATIONS
WHITEWATER — This week, the UW-Whitewater football team has two responsibilities eating as much food as they can on Thursday, and preparing to host DePauw (Ind.) University in a NCAA Division III second round playoff game that kicks off at noon on what will likely be a snowy field at Perkins Stadium on Saturday, Nov. 29.
The Warhawks boast an 8-2 overall record and a 5-2 WIAC record. They also went 4-1 at Perkins Stadium.
The Tigers make the trip from Greencastle, Ind. and bring a 9-1 overall record with them. They won seven out of eight games in the North Coast Athletic Conference and went 6-0 on the road.
“They are a really good football team and they are well coached,” Whitewater coach Jace Rindahl said.
The Warhawks and Tigers have faced just one time on the football field. Whitewater dominated, winning 45-0 in the second round of the playoffs. That matchup took place Nov. 27, 2021 at Perkins Stadium.
DePauw coach Brett Dietz — who was named head coach in Jan. 2020 — was standing on the sidelines. Almost exactly four years later, he’ll have the chance to claim revenge.
Rindahl wasn’t shy about complimenting the Tigers. He said the quarterback and a wide receiver have built a really good connection.
Tigers’ sophomore quarterback Scott Ballentine piled up 2,684 passing yards and boasts a TD–INT ratio of 30–3. His brother, senior wide receiver Robby Ballentine, made 83 catches for 1,172 yards and 15 TDs.
Rindahl said that this “presents a challenge.”
“They have numerous all-conference players,” Rindahl said. “Their entire offensive line is all-conference. So that’s a really good offensive team.”
Tigers’ running back Caden Whitehead is second in the NCAC in total rushing yards with 587 on 126 carries. His 11 total rushing TDs lead the conference.
As a defense, DePauw sacked the quarterback 34 times. That puts them eight in NCAA Division III football. Its 266 sack yards is second.
Whitewater quarterback Justin Klinkner is in charge of navigating the pocket. As a passer, he ranks seventh in the WIAC with a total 1,677 passing yards.
Klinkner’s been dangerous as a runner, though. He’s ninth in the WIAC with 449 total rushing yards. In Whitewater’s last game, a 24-7 road win against Oshkosh, he completed 12 of 21 passes for 94 yards and a trio of TDs. Klinkner also took 18 carries for 65 yards.
Although he is just a freshman, Rindahl is confident in Klinkner. He’s also aware the Tigers will be gearing up to stop Klinkner and the rest of Whitewater’s prolific rushers.
“They’re a good football program,” Rindahl said. “So, they’ll know what we want to do. They’re going to make us left-handed, so to speak. They’re going to do everything to take our rushing attack away and try to make us as an offense beat them by throwing the ball.”
The Warhawks’ 210.2 total rushing yards per game ranks second in the WIAC. UW-River Falls ranks first with about 17 more per game.
Out of all the WIAC teams, Rindahl said DePauw reminds him most of Platteville.
“They have a lot of Platteville similarities from wanting to run the ball, but they also have a really good passing attack,” Rindahl said.
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