STAT LINE: 8 total tackles (8 solo), INT, FR, PBU
Whitaker spearheaded a defensive effort that limited Saint Francis to one touchdown and 11 first downs during a Week 11 road win in Loretto. The veteran defensive back made a game-high eight solo stops to go along with one pass break-up and two key takeaways. Six of his eight tackles dropped the opponent short of the first-down marker. With the Pioneers allowing the fewest points since a season-opening 42-3 win over Stetson, Whitaker ended a pair of SFU possessions on first down plays. First, he pounced on the football on the SFU 24-yard line after the Red flash quarterback put it on the carpet late in the first quarter. The takeaway set up a field goal that bumped the SHU lead to 10-0. Then, with SHU protecting a 16-7 advantage late in the third period, Whitaker picked off a first-down pass at the Pioneers’ 45. Two of Whitaker’s tackles against the run limited the ball carrier to modest three-yard gains. His second-down tackle of All-American receiver Kamron Lewis helped SHU force the Red Flash into a three-and-out on their second possession. In the second quarter, he forced a punt when he wrapped up Red Flash running back Joel Denley after a four-yard catch on third-and-long. His pass break-up on a 2nd-and-5 play led to another three-and-out for the Red Flash in the third quarter.