Warhawks Prepare for top-Ten Clash with Pioneers in 32nd George Chryst Memorial Bowl
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A highly anticipated matchup awaits football fans this Saturday as the ninth-ranked UW-Whitewater Warhawks host the eighth-ranked UW-Platteville Pioneers at Perkins Stadium for the 32nd annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 PM, and the game will also serve as the Warhawks’ annual Homecoming celebration, with the 2025 UW-Whitewater Athletic Hall of Fame Class set to be recognized at halftime.
national Rankings Set the Stage
Both teams enter the contest boasting extraordinary national rankings. The Warhawks currently hold the ninth position in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) poll and eighth according to D3football.com. The Pioneers are closely behind, ranked eighth by the AFCA and ninth by D3football.com,promising a competitive contest between two of the nation’s elite Division III programs.
A historic Rivalry
The series between UW-whitewater and UW-Platteville represents the longest-standing rivalry for the Warhawks against any Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) institution. This Saturday’s game will mark the 117th meeting between the two programs, a tradition dating back to 1895. Throughout their storied history, UW-Whitewater has dominated the series, holding an overall record of 85-27-4.
As 1993, the annual contest has been known as the George Chryst Memorial Bowl-honoring the longtime and successful head coach of UW-Platteville. The Warhawks also maintain a commanding lead in the bowl series record, with 27 wins to the Pioneers’ 4.
Recent Performances
UW-Whitewater demonstrated a powerful second-half performance in their most recent outing, securing a decisive 34-2 victory over UW-Stout. After a slow start with only three points in the first half, the Warhawks erupted for 14 points in the third quarter and 17 in the fourth. the defense proved particularly dominant, limiting the Blue Devils to a mere single yard rushing throughout the entire game. Quarterback Justin Klinkner efficiently completed 8 of 16 passes, contributing both a passing and rushing touchdown. Ty Schultz delivered a standout performance with a 75-yard rushing touchdown, while Brian Stanton added another rushing score. Collin Fritts secured the lone receiving touchdown for the Warhawks. On the defensive front, Karsten Libby led the team with 10 tackles, supported by interceptions from Ethan Gallagher and Deven Magli.
UW-Platteville also secured a victory in their last game, defeating their opponent with a strong first-half showing. The Pioneers established an early lead with 21 unanswered points and maintained control for the remainder of the contest. Their offense proved potent on the ground, amassing 284 rushing yards while holding their opponents to just 49. Quarterback Nathan Uselding completed 12 of 16 passes for 171 yards and three touchdowns. Uselding and Blake Bangston each contributed rushing touchdowns,while Trevor Syse was a key target in the passing game,hauling in five passes,including two for touchdowns. Defensively, Ollie Hughes led the Pioneers with seven tackles, including two for a loss, and Elijah Krantz and Logan Drone each recorded sacks.
how to Tune In
Fans can catch all the action live on the WIAC Network. Live statistics will be available through the UW-Whitewater Athletics website. For those in the Whitewater/Janesville area, the game will be broadcast live on 105.9 FM The Hog, and can also be streamed online at www.1059thehog.com.
