Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
The No. 2 ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team posted its 27th consecutive win at Perkins Stadium Saturday with a 35-21 triumph over Morningside (Iowa), the No. 2 ranked team in the NAIA.
Clinging to a 28-21 advantage early in the fourth quarter, the Warhawks (3-0 overall) created a crucial turnover and converted a touchdown four plays later to take a two-possession lead.
The Mustangs (2-1) drove into UW-Whitewater territory before senior defensive back Colin Buck intercepted an underthrown pass inside the Warhawks' 10-yard line for his third pick of the season and the fourth Morningside turnover of the contest.
On the second play of the ensuing drive, senior quarterback Chris Nelson hit junior wide receiver Marcus Hudson, who made his season debut Saturday, for a 55-yard gain into Mustang territory.
Two plays later, Nelson connected with Hudson again, this time from 34 yards, for a touchdown to make it 35-21 with 9:49 left in the fourth quarter.
UW-Whitewater held Morningside to a three-and-out on the next possession. After downing a punt at the Mustangs' 1-yard line, senior defensive linemen John Flood and Brandon Tamsett combined for a sack on fourth down in Warhawk territory to seal the win with 1:41 to play.
Nelson finished 9-of-21 passing for 234 yards and four touchdowns. Hudson posted four receptions for 142 yards and a score, and junior tight end Tony Gumina collected five receptions for 66 yards and a touchdown.
Sophomore running back Drew Patterson registered 20 carries for 85 yards, including a five-yard touchdown to put UW-Whitewater on the board midway through the first quarter and a 56-yard catch on a screen play with 4:39 left in the first.
Senior defensive back Bennett Young recorded a team-best 11 tackles and returned his first career interception 43 yards to set up Patterson's first score. Senior defensive back Vince Mason and junior linebacker Matt Seitz totaled eight stops each.
The Mustangs got on the board on a touchdown with 13:55 on the clock in the second quarter to get within 14-6.
After the defense held on fourth down on consecutive possessions in its own territory, Nelson hit sophomore wide receiver Canton Larson for a 42-yard score to make it 21-6 with 4:23 left.
Morningside found the end zone again with less than one minute to play in the first half to cut its deficit to 21-13 heading into the locker room.
UW-Whitewater opened scoring in the third quarter. After a 33-yard run by Ware, Nelson hit Gumina for a 10-yard score to make it 28-13 with 12:09 remaining.
After a punt pinned the Mustangs inside their own 10-yard line, quarterback Trent Solsman found Tanner VerSteeg for a 93-yard touchdown down the sideline to cut it to one possession with 3:26 left in the period.
The teams exchanged empty possessions before Buck's interception gave the Warhawks, who have yet to allow a point in the fourth quarter of a game this season, the momentum for good.
UW-Whitewater opens Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play next Saturday at 10th-ranked UW-Platteville. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m.