OnMilwaukee.com Sports Weekend Preview: December 11-13, 2009

In four years, Jeff Donovan has walked onto the field at Perkins Stadium many, many times.

Few, though, will be as memorable -- or important -- as tomorrow.

Donovan, UW-Whitewater's senior quarterback, will take to the home field one last time in an NCAA Division III semifinal against Linfield.

The No. 2 Warhwaks come into the game on a roll, owners of a 13-0 record and have lost just once in their last 18 games (last year's championship). Since head coach Lance Leipold took over the program prior to the 2007 season, Whitewater is 40-3 and 19-1 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play.

They start three seniors on offense and eight on defense and are averaging 44 points on 493.2 yards a game while holding opponents to 8.5 points on 236.8 yards per game.

Last week, the Warhawks turned a 14-13 halftime lead into a 31-13 victory over Wittenberg behind 125 yards from running back Levell Coppage and a 236-yard, two-touchdown

Linfield, though, is no slouch, either.

The Wildcats roll into Whitewater with a 12-0 record and ranked No. 5 in the nation by D3Football.com.

The two teams have met once before, in a 2005 quarterfinal game played in McMinnvile, Ore. It was a game to remember as the two teams combined for 1,609 yards in a 44-41 Whitewater victory.

Kickoff is set for Noon at Perkins Stadium in Whitewater.

In other weekend action:

FRIDAY

BEACH PARTY ON ICE
The Admirals take on San Antonio tonight and, despite the temeratures, are hosting a beach party. The Boat Drunks will play before and after the game in the Bradley Center Atrium.
milwaukeeadmirals.com

UW-MU, PART I
It's a Badger State battle tonight at the Al McGuire Center as Marquette plays host to Wisconsin at 7 p.m.
gomarquette.com
uwbadgers.com

SATURDAY

ONE LAST STEP
As mentioned above, Whitewater takes on Linfield with a Stagg Bowl berth on the line. If you can't make it to the game, listen live online:
uwwsports.com

STATE SHOWDOWN
Wisconsin and Marquette renew their rivalry for the 116th time when they tip off at the Kohl Center in Madison. The Golden Eagles (8-2) are coming off a 71-51 victory over Milwaukee while No. 23 Wisconsin is licking its wounds after an 88-84 loss at UW-Green Bay Wednesday night. The 4 p.m. game will be broadcast by ESPN2.
gomarquette.com
uwbadgers.com

LOOK OUT FOR THE WOODCHIPPER
It's off to Fargo for the Milwaukee Panthers, who take on North Dakota State tonight at 7 p.m.
uwmpanthers.com

GET YOUR KIXX
Catch the Wave and Philadelphia tonight at the U.S. Cellular Arena at 6 p.m.
milwaukeewave.com

WHO'S GONNA WIN IT?
The Bucks try to get back to .500 tonight when Portland blazes a trail into the Bradley Center at 7:30 p.m. Fans 14 and under recieve a free Bucks Fan Pack.
bucks.com

SUNDAY

DA BEARS
Can the Packers make it a season sweep against the Bears? We'll find out at Noon, when Green Bay and Chicago collide for the 179th time. FOX will carry the broadcast with Thom Brennaman and Brian Billick handling the call.
packers.com