Royal Purple

Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Joe Whiteside: Ellensburg Daily Record Warhawks running back Levell Coppage scampers in for one of his four touchdowns against Puget Sound. Coppage ran for 102 yards in the 'Hawks 60-7 win.

When the UW-La Crosse Eagles (0-3) take the field Saturday at 1 p.m., they'll try do what no team in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference has done in nearly four years: Beat the Warhawks.

The 'Hawks (3-0, 1-0 WIAC) last conference loss came at the hands of the Eagles on Nov. 13, 2004, when they dropped a 35-10 decision in their season finale.

"We recognize they will be the best team we have played so far," 'Hawks defensive coordinator Brian Borland said. "They've had the lead in numerous games but have just come up a little short. We know they're a dangerous team."

On Saturday, the 'Hawks return to Perkins Stadium for the first time since Sept. 5, and they'll try to extend several impressive winning streaks. The 'Hawks have won 22 consecutive games against WIAC opponents, 16 straight overall and 26 straight at Perkins Stadium. For perspective, that means no UW-Whitewater student on the four-year plan has seen the 'Hawks lose at home.

'Hawks offensive coordinator Jim Zebrowski said Saturday's game presents one of the best rivalries in Division III football.

"Justin Beaver was always excited to play in this game, because this rivalry is like Ohio State and Michigan," Zebrowski said. "Last year, the UW-La Crosse game was the turning point in our season. We were down 28-10 and coming off a recent loss at St. Cloud. But then we scored 25 unanswered and have never looked back."

The 'Hawks didn't find much resistance in extending their streak last Saturday in their final non-conference tune-up of the year in Tacoma, Wash., as they crushed previously undefeated Puget Sound, 60-7. Freshman Levell Coppage led the offensive outburst with 102 rushing yards and four touchdowns, and junior quarterback Jeff Donovan added a touchdown run of his own before the starters were pulled midway through the third quarter.

'Hawks head coach Lance Leipold said the dominant performance gave the younger players a chance to gain valuable experience.

"Any time players get a chance to get good experience, it helps," Leipold said. "We played three quarterbacks, and many of our younger players came in and contributed heavily. Getting a lot of players into the game builds depth, which will help us down the line."

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