Boro head coach Rob Edwards had talked about preparing his players for a “different atmosphere” and they were switched on from the start as they scored with the game’s first meaningful attack.
Having waited 26 games to score his first Boro goal in the win over Ipswich Town on Friday, former Plymouth Argyle man Whittaker wasted no time in doubling his account as he swept Delano Burgzorg’s ball beyond Owls goalkeeper Joe Lumley, brought in on an emergency seven-day loan from Bristol City.
Lumley was then lucky not to concede a penalty when he took a heavy touch and brought down Tommy Conway after the forward had stolen in ahead of him – but referee Thomas Kirk did not give it.
But with saves close to half-time to deny Conway and Burgzorg, Lumley just about kept Wednesday in the game.
The Owls debutant made even more saves in the second half, including a brilliant push over from Alan Browne’s close-range volley and coming out on top in a one-on-one with substitute Kaly Sene.
Boro were deserved winners, but their goalkeeper Sol Brynn had been called into a a couple of stops early in the second half at the other end as the home side chased an unlikely equaliser.
But while the margin was narrow, these two teams continued the contrasting fortunes of their seasons, with Boro enjoying their best start to a campaign since 1991.
