The 8th-ranked Central College football team suffered its first loss of the season Saturday, a season ending 51-21 setback to #3 Wisconsin-Whitewater in the NCAA quarterfinals in a game heard live on 92.1 KRLS.

Central’s Brody Klein blocked a punt on the opening drive of the game and scooped it up for a touchdown, before the Warhawks marched down the field to tie the game.  The Dutch offense then got the ball for the first time, and answered with a touchdown for the record books, as Blaine Hawkins connected with Jeff Herbers on a four-yard strike, his 62nd touchdown of the season, an all-time all-divisions NCAA record.

Whitewater answered with three straight touchdowns to build a 27-14 lead, but Hawkins hit Herbers again just before the half to make it 27-21.

Unfortunately for Central faithful, the final 30 minutes was all Whitewater.  They used a punishing running game and put constant pressure on Hawkins as they pulled away with a 24-0 second half performance.

Hawkins’ two touchdown passes gave him 63 for the season.  He also tied the all-time all-divisions career touchdowns responsible for record with 178, 148 through the air and 30 on the ground.

Central finished 12-1 on the season, while Whitewater advances to next week’s national semifinal against Mary Hardin Baylor.  Defending champion North Central will battle Mount Union for the other spot in the title game.

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