Advertisement
Coppage, a freshman, was the focal point of UW-La Crosse’s defense heading into Saturday’s game. To neutralize Coppage, the Eagles believed, would be to neutralize the Warhawks.
Coppage blew that to pieces by running for 176 yards and three touchdowns in Whitewater’s 31-0 victory over UW-L at Perkins Stadium.
Warhawks fans aren’t saying “Justin Beaver who?” yet, but it might just be a matter of time.
“I can tell teams are getting to know me,” Coppage said. “The o-line did great today like always, and we were able to pound the rock.”
Coppage scored on touchdown runs of 4, 1, and 3 yards and broke a 54-yard run in the second quarter. He averaged 6.5 yards per carry.
Coppage, at 5-foot-8 and 180 pounds, earned the Warhawks’ starting running back job in the preseason. That was the easy part. The challenge was living up to his predecessor, 2007 Gagliardi Trophy winner Justin Beaver, the heart and soul of Whitewater’s national title team.
“How does it feel coming in after Beaver?” Coppage said, repeating a question he’s heard dozens of times this fall. “It’s tough. He’s a great guy who did great things for this program. I’m still trying to be myself, also.”
That might be good enough for Whitewater for a long time.
“After game one, everyone questioned if we’d be able to run the football,” Warhawks coach Lance Leipold said of Coppage’s 24-carry, 68-yard debut. “But to watch (Coppage) mature is great. Everyone is starting to see what his athletic abilities are and why he’s the guy we’ve gone to. He’s quick and he’s a competitor. He’s got a bright future.”
Coppage followed his so-so first game with 220 yards and a touchdown against Eau Claire.
“It’s definitely slowing down for me and I’m getting more comfortable reading things,” Coppage said.
BRIGHT SPOT: If there was a positive for the Eagles on Saturday, it was their pass defense. Cornerback Matt Winney had an interception and strong safety Dustin Drath made 11 tackles. Whitewater quarterback Jeff Donovan completed 10 of 13 passes for 94 yards and no touchdowns.
QUOTE: “Whitewater is playing with great confidence right now and we’re trying to get that,” Eagles coach Larry Terry said. “We just don’t have it yet.”
