WHITEWATER — Warhawks running back duo Tamir Thomas and Brian Stanton showed off their knack for making plays in Saturday’s 34-7 win against the John Carroll University Blue Streaks at Perkins Stadium.
“I was pretty confident in our offense being able to have success today and control the football,” UW-Whitewater football coach Jace Rindahl said.
The two backs consistently weaved through traffic, bouncing off defenders, in order to stay on their feet. Their contributions allowed the Warhawks to open up the passing attack using play-action quarterback rollouts.
The Warhawks cashed in on their first two drives of the game with the bulk of plays going to their backs.
Seven of the Warhawks’ first 11 offensive plays went to Thomas, who capped off the 11-play drive with a 1-yard TD. In the first half, Thomas took 11 carries for 67 yards with two touchdowns.
While Thomas was ripping off big runs, it was Stanton who had the longest run of the first half with a 56-yard score.
“It felt great,” Stanton said. “Really gave me a big boost of confidence knowing that I can do it. I feel like I prepared really well. Same as the whole team.”
The back was denied another 50-yard run when he was forced out of bounds at the 27-yard line on a drive that ended with a 28-yard field goal from Jackson Fox to put the Warhawks up 17-0 with five minutes left in the second quarter.
Whitewater’s last points of the first half came with just 27 seconds to go in the half.
On a drive that started on their own 13-yard line, quarterback Jason Ceniti ran up the middle for 20 yards to move the chains. After an incomplete pass, Ceniti found wide receiver Nick Wind on second down for a 31-yard gain. He then connected with Wind once again to set up the 11-yard rushing score from Thomas.
“I thought all around the board we did what we needed to win,” Ceniti said.
Whitewater’s passing attack was just as effective as their running. Ceniti looked sharp, whether in rollouts or firing away passes from within the pocket. The offense was able to consistently rely on their senior quarterback to make the right plays.
“He’s so committed to this team and his teammates, and he works so hard,” Rindahl said.
With the departure of wide receiver Tommy Coates, the Warhawks’ go-to man last year, Ceniti and the team have been tasked with replacing his production.
Wind caught a touchdown to go with his three receptions and 51 yards and transfer Blake Haggerty caught five passes for 79 receiving yards.
John Carroll had a tough time moving the ball. The offense turned the ball over twice with a fumble and interception.
Had the Warhawks not allowed a fourth-quarter score, it would have been the Blue Streakers’ first time being shutout since 2007 in a game against Mount Union.
“There were a lot of positives but (we) can’t get too high or excited because we’ve got to get better,” Rindahl said.
The team is sure to enjoy the win before shifting their focus to next week when they head on the road for a matchup against Roosevelt University on Saturday Sept. 14.
UW-WHITEWATER 34,
JOHN CARROLL UNIVERSITY 7
John Carroll 0 0 0 7 — 7
Whitewater 14 10 0 10 — 34
First quarter
W — Thomas 1-yard rush (Fox kick). W — Stanton 56-yard rush (Fox kick).
Second quarter
W — Fox 5 28-yard Field Goal. W — Thomas 11-yard rush (Fox kick).
Fourth quarter
W — Wind 11-yard pass from Ceniti (Fox kick). W — Fox 24-yard Field goal. JCU —Montgomery 4-yard pass from Semptimphelter (Schuler Kick).
Team stats — First downs: WW 24, JCU 14. Total offense: WW 449, JCU 226. Rushing: WW 41-286, JCU 29-79. Yards passing: WW 153 JCU 147. Passes (comp-att-int): WW 14-28-0. JCU 18-34-1. Fumbles-lost: WW 0-0, JCU 1-1. Penalties: WW 2-27, JCU 5-50
Individual statistics — Rushing: WW, Stanton 10-123. JCU, Sullivan 10-26. Passing (comp.-att.-yards-int.): WW, Ceniti 14-25-153-. JCU, Semptimphelte 18-34-147-1. Receiving: WW, Haggert 5-79. JCU, Montgomery 5-45
Local News
Comments / 0