Spring Break
March toward title returns to 'Perk
'Hawks prepare for upset-minded Knights after West Coast slugfest
Chris Kuhagen
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: Sports
| |
|
There were numerous obstacles standing before the 'Hawks.
First, they had to journey to Salem, Ore., for a second round matchup against the West bracket's No. 1-seeded team, the Willamette Bearcats.
Second, they would need the No. 7-seeded Wartburg College Knights (Waverly, Iowa) to pull off an upset at No. 2-seeded Monmouth College (Monmouth, Ill.).
Lastly, add injuries to freshman first-team all-WIAC running back Levell Coppage and three other key players, and it seemed as though the defending national champions would have to continue to win on the road to return to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the fourth consecutive season.
But the 'Hawks overcame it all and will host Wartburg at noon Saturday in the quarterfinals. At stake is an opportunity to play in the national semifinals against either Mary Hardin-Baylor (Belton, Texas) or Washington & Jefferson (Washington, Penn.).
Win or lose, Saturday marks the final game at Perkins Stadium in 2008.
"I couldn't have been more pleased with how this team approached the road trip," head coach Lance Leipold said after his team outlasted the Bearcats 30-27. "We're just excited that we're still alive and have the opportunity to play back at home."
Although the 'Hawks did their part, they would still be on the road this Saturday if not for Wartburg's stunning 30-28 come-from-behind victory over Monmouth.
The Knights, who boast a seven-game winning streak, trailed 28-14 at the half before storming back to score the game's final 16 points, including the final touchdown with seven seconds left in regulation.
Junior first-team all-WIAC cornerback Troney Shumpert said he was tempted to keep an eye on the other scores but understood he had to take of business on the field.
"I took a glance at the scoreboard at the start of our game," Shumpert said. "But our game got intense, and we couldn't be worried with the other games. We had a task to accomplish."
Behind a career day from sophomore running back Antwan Anderson, who started for Coppage, the 'Hawks put up 505 yards of total offense and were off to a quick start, leading the Bearcats 21-0 at halftime.
Anderson, who rushed for 269 yards and three scores - both career highs - jump-started the offense with two touchdowns in the first quarter to give the 'Hawks an early 14-0 lead.
"His performance was outstanding, and he rose to the occasion," Shumpert said. "Antwan runs so strong and just took over the game."
Although the 'Hawks had a seemingly commanding 30-13 lead with 11:40 left in the game, the Bearcats, who also gained more than 500 yards of total offense, scored two touchdowns on their next two possessions to close within a field goal.
After the Bearcats failed to recover an onside kick, Anderson ran seven times for 46 yards to run out the remaining 3:37 and ended Willamette's previously undefeated season.
"We came out fast today and played the type of physical football we wanted to play," Leipold said. "Even though they came back, we can't lose sight that they were an undefeated team with an explosive offense."
Like Willamette, which possessed a do-it-all type athlete in senior Merbon Woo, Wartburg has an offensive threat in senior wide receiver Justin Vetter. Vetter caught the winning touchdown against Monmouth and has 1,203 receiving yards, while averaging 15.6 yards per catch.
'Hawks' senior middle linebacker Jace Rindahl, who recorded a team-high 14 tackles, said his defense was well-prepared for Woo and Willamette's high-flying offense.
"The scout team busted their tails in preparing us for Willamette, and they'll have us ready for Wartburg," Rindahl said. "There's no way we want to stop now, and it's just another step toward our ultimate goal."
Be the first to comment on this story