When Wabash defeated Franklin 33-14 in the first round of the 2014 NCAA DIII playoffs last Saturday, the team celebrated the victorious return to the tournament for 24 hours. After that, it was right back to business for prepare for tomorrow's game versus the defending national champion University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Warhawks.

Whitewater won last year's national championship in a runaway 52-14 victory over Mount Union in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl. The Warhawks have been a fixture at the national championship game since 2005 — failing to make the tournament only once in 2012. In that span Whitewater has won five national titles, including four of the last five Stagg Bowl contests.

The number-one ranked Warhawks have the full attention of Wabash head coach Erik Raeburn and his Little Giants team.
 
"We enjoyed the win for 24 hours, as we always tell the team to do," Raeburn said. "Then it's back to business. I've seen Whitewater play in the championship game in person against Mount Union. They're always impressive offensively and have a quick and hard-hitting defense. That's no different this year."
 
Whitewater's offensive numbers have started this season with senior quarterback Matt Berhendt. The recent pick as Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Offensive Player of the Year was also named the preseason favorite for national offensive player of the year by Lindy's College Football Preview. Berhendt has lived up to that potential. He led the WIAC at the end of regular season in completion percentage (68.4 percent) on 197-of-284 passing with only two interceptions. He's also on top of the WIAC leader board in pass efficiency (170.4) and passing touchdowns (25). Last week Berhendt threw for 213 yards and three TDs in a 17-of-21 effort against Macalester College in the opening round win by the Warhawks.
 
Berhendt has a stable of top-notch receivers, which includes preseason All-America pick Jake Kumerow. The 6-5, 205-pound senior leads UW-Whitewater with 10 TD receptions and ranks second in receptions (44) and receiving yards (707) despite missing the last four games for the Warhawks. Justin Howard has excelled this season at wideout, as well. His 60 receptions for 825 yards is the best among the Warhawks. He has also scored six touchdowns.
 
Dennis Moore paces the rushing attack for the Warhawks with 692 yards and three TDs on 105 carries. Jordan Ratliffe has totaled 586 yards and nine TDs in eight games.
 
"Their offense is very balanced," Raeburn said. "If you try to focus on taking one aspect away, they'll burn you in another. They have a very good running attack, their quarterback is an excellent passer and makes great decisions, and they have a very good receiving group. Whitewater will challenge us unlike any other team we've faced this year."
 
The task gets no easier facing the Warhawks on defense. Whitewater ranks second in scoring defense (8.0 ppg), ninth in rush defense (81.1 ypg), and 12th in total defense (263.0 ypg). Junior linebacker Justin Dischler leads the team with 66 tackles. Mykaell Bratchett has recorded 8-1/2 sacks for 57 yards including 5-1/2 sacks for 52 yards for team-best totals in both categories. Cornerback Brady Grayvold has made six of the Warhawks' 17 interceptions this season. Grayvold is also a semifinalist for the Gagliardi Award presented to the top Division III student-athlete in football.
The Little Giants will also bring a nationally-ranked defense to Saturday's second-round affair. Wabash leads DIII in rushing defense (55.9 ypg) and sacks per game (4.91), and ranks third in total defense (218.4 ypg), fourth in tackles for losses per game (10.5), and ninth in scoring defense (11.8 ppg).
 
"We won't change anything major for Saturday's game versus Whitewater," Raeburn said. "There are 16 teams still playing football right now because they've been good at doing things within their system all season long. You don't suddenly change everything just because you're playing a tough opponent or the defending national champion, or a highly-ranked team. You have to focus on executing your game plan on offense and defense."
 
Saturday's game at Whitewater kicks off at 12 p.m. Central time (1 p.m. EST). The Warhawks will provide live video and live stats. The Wabash College audio broadcast is available over the air on WNDY (91.3 FM) beginning at 11:40 a.m. CST and will be streamed live at www.wabash.edu/live.