Football is ready for homecoming

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Ky McCombe

Senior Quarterback Max Meylor (7) attempts to throw the ball across the field in Perkins Stadium, Fall 2021.

Sam Strash, Sports Journalist

The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team is slated to host the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Blugolds on Saturday, Oct. 30 at Perkins Stadium.

Warhawks’ fans are in for a treat.

In the last 17 years (excluding 2020, when no games were played), the two programs have faced each other 18 times. UWW won each of those 18 games, outscoring the Blugolds by a whopping 651-117, including six shutouts. This averages out to a 36-7 win for the Warhawks in every matchup since 2003.

Talk about pure dominance.

Whitewater enters this game 6-0 (as of 10/20/2021), ranked 3rd in the latest national power rankings by D3FOOTBALL.com. They are 4-0 at Perkins Stadium this season, outscoring opponents 187-41 at home. They are also 3-0 against conference opponents this season.

Eau Claire is 3-3 this season (as of 10/20/2021), losing their last two games in a row, both at home, to UW-Stout and UW-River Falls. Two of UWEC’s losses this year, though, have come by four points or less, a testament to their mental toughness against opponents.

The Warhawks have spent much of their time on offense running the ball. Out of their 370 plays from scrimmage, over 60% of them (223 attempts) have been running plays. Led by senior running back Alex Peete, UW-W has scored 14 touchdowns on the ground.

Despite the team’s running prowess, the Warhawks have also dominated in the passing game. Senior quarterback Max Meylor is tied for 12th in the nation in passing touchdowns (18) and is also 50th in the nation in passing yards (1441). 

This goes without mentioning senior receiver Ryan Wisniewski, Meylor’s main target throughout the season, who ranks 33rd in the country in receiving yards per game (95.6, 478 total yards). He also accounts for over 25 percent of completed passes from Meylor. With a three-headed monster in Meylor, Peete, and Wisniewski, UWEC faces a massive uphill battle on defense.

Speaking of defense, UW-W has one of the best defenses in all of Division III football. That being said, the Warhawks are facing a UWEC offensive line that has only allowed four sacks all season long.

The game will be played at 1 p.m. Oct. 30 at Perkins Stadium. Tickets can be purchased in advance by clicking the link on the UW-W football website next to the game on their online schedule. Tickets will also be available at the ticket windows on game day at the stadium.