Warhawks Face Off Against Football Legend in NCAA Playoffs

Strategic Insights -

UW-Whitewater will host St. John's in the NCAA Division III second-round playoff game on Saturday, featuring a clash of two undefeated teams, each with a storied history in college football. The Warhawks will be led by coach Bob Berezowitz, the longest-tenured coach in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while St. John's will be led by the all-time winningest coach in college football history, John Gagliardi, who boasts a career record of 432-117-11. The game will pit two high-powered offenses against each other, with the Warhawks averaging 507 yards and 41.9 points per game, just a shade under the Johnnies' 43.5.

Key Takeaways:

  • UW-Whitewater will face off against St. John's in the NCAA Division III second-round playoff game, pitting two undefeated teams against each other.
  • Coach Bob Berezowitz has the longest tenure in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while John Gagliardi is the all-time winningest coach in college football history with a record of 432-117-11.
  • The Warhawks' potent offense will face off against the Johnnies' high-octane defense, with both teams boasting high-scoring averages.
  • Justin Beaver, the record-setting running back from UW-Whitewater, has been selected as one of 10 finalists for the Gagliardi Award, which recognizes the most outstanding Division III football player.
  • Beaver's impressive résumé includes setting school records for rushing yards (1,745) and attempts (306), as well as earning a 3.62 grade-point average as a physical education major.
  • The game will be a meeting of two storied programs, with the Warhawks looking to break St. John's possession of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference trophy.

Statistics:

  • John Gagliardi's career record: 432-117-11
  • Coach Bob Berezowitz's record: 142-70-4
  • Justin Beaver's rushing yards: 1,745
  • Justin Beaver's attempts: 306
  • Justin Beaver's touchdowns: 18 (tied for the mark)
  • UW-Whitewater's average yards per game: 507
  • UW-Whitewater's average points per game: 41.9
  • St. John's' average points per game: 43.5

Sources:

  • "Berezowitz and Beaver on facing off against the greats" by Jason McMahon, The Capital Times (exact citation not available)
  • "Warhawks face St. John's in NCAA playoffs" by Jason McMahon, The Capital Times (exact citation not available)
  • "Gagliardi named all-time winningest coach in college football" by Jason McMahon, The Capital Times (exact citation not available)