UW-Oshkosh linebacker James Taraboi (Sr. • Cedarburg) will represent the NCAA Division III in a football game against the Tec Monterrey All Stars on Saturday (Dec. 19) in Atizapan de Zaragoza, Mexico. Kickoff to the Tazon de Estrellas (Bowl of the Stars) is set for noon (CST).

The NCAA Division III all-star team consists of 52 players, including linebacker Ryan Leis, quarterback Kyle Paulson, running back Cory Sartorelli and tight end Brett Schreiner of UW-Eau Claire, free safety Bryan Blum of UW-Stevens Point and defensive end Marcus Ball and cornerback Kendall Wade of UW-Stout. The squad, guided by former La Salle University (Pa.), Delaware Valley College and Widener University (Pa.) head coach Bill Manlove, began practicing for the game on Monday (Dec. 14) in Atizapan de Zaragoza.

A total of 70 players were selected to the Tec Monterrey all-star team. The squad is led by legendary coach Frank Gonzalez, who has won 13 national championships during a 24-year career at Campus Monterrey.

Tec Monterrey is the premier private university system in Mexico, with over 30 campuses around the country. This year's Tec Monterrey all-star team includes players from at least five of those campuses.

Saturday's game will air live via a webcast on GlobalFootball.com. The viewing fee is $5.

Taraboi is the third UW-Oshkosh player to participate in an all-star football game in Mexico. Previous UW-Oshkosh participants were wide receiver Jon May in 1998 and tight end Bob Docherty in 2005.

Taraboi started all 10 games this past season and earned All-WIAC first team honors after totaling 145 tackles, the second-highest total in UW-Oshkosh history. He also compiled 92 solo tackles, 53 assisted tackles, 14.5 tackles for a loss, 3.5 quarterback sacks, three forced fumbles, two pass interceptions and one recovered fumble. Taraboi currently leads the NCAA Division III in both total tackles per game (14.5) and solo tackles per game (9.5).

Taraboi counted at least nine tackles in every contest during the 2009 campaign. He racked up 13 or more tackles in each of the final eight games, including a career-best 21 in a 31-29 loss to Ohio Dominican University. During a 23-20 win over UW-Platteville, Taraboi tallied a career-high 13 solo tackles (16 overall). He also notched 10 tackles, two forced fumbles and one pass interceptions in the Titans’ 31-13 victory over Huntingdon College (Ala.).

In 2008, Taraboi received All-WIAC second team honors after totaling 73 tackles, including 39 solo and five for a loss. As UW-Oshkosh's placekicker, Taraboi booted a 26-yard field goal with no time remaining to give the Titans a 17-16 win over Ohio Dominican University.

Taraboi compiled 46 tackles in 2007 and four in 2006.

Taraboi's 35-game UW-Oshkosh career featured 268 tackles, including 164 solo, 26 for a loss and eight quarterback sacks. He also forced four fumbles and intercepted three passes.

Patrick Mengelkoch hauled in all three UW-Stout touchdowns as the Blue Devils ran for 213 yards in their 27-24 victory over the UW-Oshkosh football team on Saturday (Nov. 14) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Stout (8-2/5-2 WIAC) got five receptions and 69 yards from Mengelkoch, who caught a touchdown pass in each of the first, second and fourth quarters. Craig Warminski paced the ground game with 25 carries for 121 yards as he eclipsed 1,000 yards on the season. Quarterback Kyle Provos threw for 131 yards and ran for 41 more.

Each team turned the ball over on downs on its opening possession of the contest. On their second drive, the Blue Devils marched 86 yards in 10 plays, including a pair of 18-yard runs from Warminski. Mengelkoch then posted a touchdown reception from 12 yards out late in the first quarter for a 7-0 lead.

Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) broke off a 14-yard run as the Titans (4-6/2-5 WIAC) answered with a scoring drive of their own. UW-Oshkosh appeared to find the end zone on a completed flea-flicker, but a penalty wiped out the play. Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) came in and drilled a career-long 37-yard field goal to make it 7-3 with 13:49 to play in the first half.

Warminski got right back to work by returning the ensuing kickoff to the Blue Devils’ 45-yard line. A 33-yard run by Carlos Concepcion set up Kyle Martin, who converted a 25-yard field goal for a 10-3 lead.

UW-Stout put together a 70-yard drive to score once again before halftime. Provos ran for 19 yards to convert one third down, which he followed up with a 10-yard completion to Adam Winberg on 3rd-and-5. With 6:21 remaining in the second quarter, Mengelkoch got free over the middle for an 18-yard touchdown to give the Blue Devils a 17-3 advantage.

Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) jump-started the Titans’ running game out of the locker room. He ripped off gains of 13 and 22 yards before picking up four on fourth-and-one. Two plays later, Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) found Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) in the end zone for a 10-yard score.

The teams exchanged punts on the next two possessions, but the Blue Devils got the upper hand with a 35-yard return by Warminski. He added an 11-yard run on the drive, which also included a 27-yard grab from Mengelkoch. Martin knocked through a 22-yard attempt midway through the third period to go up, 20-10.

Needing a score, the Titans moved down the field with the short passing attack. The strategy failed when Weissman threw an interception in the end zone on an option play. UW-Oshkosh’s defense made up for it on the next snap when Andy Kremel (Jr. • Waukesha) recovered a UW-Stout fumble. For just the second time this season, Weissman ran into the end zone from 14 yards out to cut the Titans’ deficit to 20-17. Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) entered the game for an injured Wara and made a crucial block on Weissman’s touchdown.

A Wegner interception set up the Blue Devils just 22 yards from pay dirt. On 3rd-and-8, Provos again hit Mengelkoch for a 10-yard touchdown. The scoreboard showed a 27-17 tally with 10:44 to play.

The UW-Oshkosh offense stepped up, reeling off an 88-yard drive to remain in the contest. Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago), who marked the third-most receptions in school history with 12, caught passes for gains of 10 and eight yards. After a roughing-the-passer penalty gave the Titans a fresh set of downs, Roach spun in for a 21-yard touchdown with 6:50 on the clock.

Nate Heard (Jr. • Milwaukee) made a crucial pass deflection to end the Blue Devils’ next drive on fourth down. A Budiac catch kept UW-Oshkosh on the field during a fourth down, but once the Titans reached the 50-yard line, Wara was intercepted by Kendall Wade to seal the outcome.

The Titans racked up 209 rushing yards, including 94 on 17 attempts by Weissman and 54 on seven carries by Roach. Wara ran for 45 yards in addition to his 22-of-31 accuracy for 144 yards through the air. Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) totaled 51 yards on six catches for UW-Oshkosh, which finished with 406 yards on offense.

UW-Stout amassed 344 total yards as it converted 6-of-13 third downs to the Titans’ 8-of-17. The Blue Devils got 12 tackles from Ryan Pearcy and two sacks from Marcus Ball, while James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) topped UW-Oshkosh with 15 stops. Taraboi concludes the season with 145 tackles for the second-highest total in school history.

UW-Oshkosh aims for a 5-5 season record and its fifth consecutive win over UW-Stout when the Titans host the Blue Devils on Saturday (Nov. 14). Kickoff for the last game of the year is set for 2 p.m. at Titan Stadium.

In last season’s meeting between these two squads, UW-Oshkosh used a late interception and fourth-and-one stop to pull out a 9-7 victory. Including that contest, the Titans’ last five WIAC wins have come by a combined 11 points. UW-Stout (7-2/4-2 WIAC) enters this matchup with its best team since 2000. The Blue Devils are looking to win in Oshkosh for just the second time in the past 20 years, with the Titans owning a 30-21-1 edge in the all-time series.

UW-Stout comes in riding a three-game winning streak, including last Saturday’s 43-10 triumph over UW-Platteville. Two interceptions returned for touchdowns and a blocked punt helped the Blue Devils to a 26-point halftime lead. After opening 2009 with four consecutive wins, UW-Stout dropped back-to-back games against UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater.

Craig Warminski is the focus of UW-Stout’s rushing attack, which averages more than 220 yards per game. He has eight touchdowns on the ground and needs 64 more yards to crack 1,000 for the year. The passing game is directed by Ross Carey, who has nine touchdowns and an average of 125 yards per contest. Patrick Mengelkoch tops all Blue Devil receivers with 27 catches, 287 yards and three scores.

After taking on UW-Whitewater’s conference-leading defense last week, the Titans (4-5/2-4 WIAC) have another challenge with UW-Stout’s second-rated unit. The Blue Devils surrender 281 yards per game, led by Marcus Ball, Adam Churchill and Trevor Fiege. Ball tops the WIAC with 7.5 sacks, while Churchill owns four interceptions and Fiege 50 tackles.

UW-Oshkosh’s defensive unit owns a pair of experienced playmakers. James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) will conclude a stellar season that has seen him rack up 130 tackles to rank first in the NCAA Division III. In the secondary, Nate Heard (Jr. • Milwaukee) has picked off four passes while topping the league with 1.5 passes defended per game. The Titans have posted 21 takeaways and lead the conference with a +8 turnover margin.

Despite struggling in last week’s 40-7 loss to the second-ranked Warhawks, UW-Oshkosh’s offense averages nearly 400 yards per contest. Three Titans have at least 375 yards rushing, with Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) owning 506, Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) totaling 474 and Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) scampering for 376. Wara has completed 65 percent of his passes on the year for 1,453 yards and nine touchdowns. In the receiving department, five Titans have grabbed 20 or more receptions, including 345 yards and four touchdowns by Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh).

Levell Coppage ran for 209 yards and Jeff Donovan completed 29-of-33 passes as the UW-Whitewater offense rolled during a 40-7 win over the UW-Oshkosh football team on Saturday (Nov. 7) in Whitewater.

The Warhawks (9-0/6-0 WIAC) clinched their fifth consecutive league title with the victory. Donovan threw for 229 yards, while Coppage tallied three touchdowns among his 27 carries for UW-Whitewater, which entered the contest ranked second in the NCAA Division III. The Warhawks’ 520 offensive yards and 31 first downs included 12 receptions for 90 yards by Jordan Wells.

UW-Oshkosh (4-5/2-4 WIAC) marked its touchdown with 2:54 to play in the game. Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) entered the huddle and found Ben Rosandick (Sr. • Pittsville) for a gain of 18 yards. Paul Coburn (Jr. • Sussex) then took a pass 75 yards to make the score 33-7.

The Titans’ Logan Heyden (Jr. • Kenosha) intercepted a pass to stop a Warhawk drive in the red zone during the opening quarter. UW-Whitewater got there again on its next possession with runs of 15 and 11 yards by Coppage. After a 3rd-and-13 conversion on a catch by Adam Brandes, Coppage raced in from five yards out for a 7-0 lead.

Coppage broke free for gains of 11, 8 and 7 yards during the Warhawks’ next scoring drive, which covered 89 yards on 14 plays. His second touchdown came on a six-yard run for a 14-0 advantage with 5:34 to play in the first half.

Brandes posted a pair of catches for first downs as UW-Whitewater added three more points before the break. With two seconds on the clock, Jeff Schebler drilled a 35-yard field goal to go up, 17-0. The Warhawks turned in figures of 244 yards, 18 first downs and 7-of-7 third-down conversions during the opening 30 minutes.

UW-Oshkosh accounted for four first downs in the opening half as it totaled 75 yards. The Titans’ highlights were an 11-yard reception from Matt Haass (Jr. • Brownsville) in the first quarter and a 14-yard run by Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) during the second.

An 11-yard touchdown pass from Donovan to John Novak put UW-Whitewater ahead, 23-0, midway through the third quarter. Schebler missed the extra point opportunity, but he got another chance to score soon after. With 13:57 to play, he connected on a 39-yard field goal to make it 26-0.

Two UW-Oshkosh drives came up empty in Warhawk territory during the final period. The Titans failed on fourth down to give the ball away at the UW-Whitewater 28 with 13:30 left. After a 41-yard completion from Wara to Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh), UW-Oshkosh turned it over on downs at the Warhawks’ 19-yard line in the final seven minutes.

Coppage did it all on a two-play possession during the fourth quarter. On the first play of the drive, he ran for six yards. He then sprinted away for a 66-yard touchdown on the next snap to increase the Warhawks’ lead to 33-0 with 9:57 remaining.

After the Titans got on the scoreboard, Aaron Samplawski brought back the ensuing kickoff 60 yards. UW-Whitewater turned that special teams effort into a C.J. Miller eight-yard touchdown run for the final points with 52 seconds to play.

UW-Oshkosh finished with 309 yards of offense, including 145 through the air on 19-of-30 attempts by Wara. He also topped the squad with 34 yards on eight rushes, while Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) added 21 yards on six carries. Weissman was the Titans’ leading receiver with four catches for 30 yards.

James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) led all players with 16 tackles in the contest, in addition to the 14 stops by Jack Breese (So. • Kewaskum). UW-Whitewater was led by the seven tackles of Kyle Supianoski. Each team committed four penalties in the game.

UW-Oshkosh faces its toughest challenge of the season when it travels to UW-Whitewater on Saturday (Nov. 7) for a 1 p.m. kickoff. The Warhawks are 8-0 (5-0 WIAC) this season and ranked second in the NCAA Division III by both the American Football Coaches Association and D3football.com.

UW-Whitewater has posted a 63-5 record the past five seasons, including victories in 32 of its last 33 WIAC games. This year’s squad leads the league in both scoring offense (41 points per game) and scoring defense, allowing just seven points per contest. UW-Whitewater's defense is the conference’s top unit against both the run and the pass as it surrenders an average of 223 yards.

Levell Coppage surpassed the 1,000-yard barrier for the season during a 41-12 victory over UW-Stevens Point on Oct. 31. He finished the game with 199 yards and three touchdowns to up his yearly total to 19 scores. Jeff Donovan has completed 72 percent of his passes and thrown 16 touchdowns this season en route to averaging 245 yards per game. On the receiving end of his passes are two of the top four receivers in the conference, including Aaron Rusch and his 42 catches for 586 yards and five scores.

UW-Oshkosh (4-4/2-3 WIAC) dropped a wild 44-35 contest to UW-Eau Claire last Saturday (Oct. 31). Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) put up big numbers with his totals of 358 passing yards, 64 rushing yards and three touchdowns. He hit on his first 12 passes of the contest to achieve a school-record 21 straight completions. Brother Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) was his leading receiver, racking up eight catches for 98 yards and two touchdowns.

Nate Wara has nine passing touchdowns on the year and averages 164 yards through the air. His top target has been Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago), who has 26 grabs, while Juston Wara owns 25 catches, 288 yards and three touchdowns. The Titan running game has amassed 186 yards per contest with a three-headed attack. In addition to Nate Wara’s 342 yards, Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) has added 498 yards with eight touchdowns.

UW-Whitewater’s success has a lot to do with its ability to stay on the field. The Warhawks have converted all 10 of their fourth-down attempts this season. The Titans, who own the WIAC’s best turnover margin (+7), will look to take the ball away as often as possible.

UW-Oshkosh’s James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) leads the NCAA Division III with 114 tackles, while Nate Heard (Jr. • Milwaukee) tops the league with 12 passes defended. The Warhawks’ defense is led by the 50 tackles of Kyle Supianoski.

Three blocked kicks and a fumble deep in its own territory haunted the UW-Oshkosh football team during a 44-35 Halloween loss to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Oct. 31) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Eau Claire (4-4/2-3 WIAC) took advantage of a UW-Oshkosh fumble with a six-yard touchdown drive to tie the score at 14-14 in the second quarter. The Blugolds then turned a blocked punt into another seven points during the fourth period to up its lead to 41-28.

UW-Oshkosh (4-4/2-3 WIAC) got a career performance from Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh), who completed his first 12 passes of the contest. Wara finished the contest by completing 36-of-46 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 18 times for 64 yards.

David Goodman found the end zone three times in a game that featured 11 touchdowns and 902 yards of offense. He hauled in a 32-yard score with 1:28 to play in the first half to cut the Blugolds’ deficit to 28-26. His 38-yard touchdown grab early in the third period gave his team a 34-28 advantage. Following a blocked punt inside the UW-Oshkosh 10-yard line, Goodman caught a two-yard touchdown pass to extend UW-Eau Claire's lead to 41-28 with 6:59 to play.

UW-Oshkosh got a pair of huge plays from Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh) to remain in the game late. Braasch converted a fourth down with a nine-yard grab before breaking free for a 39-yard pass play. Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) then completed the 86-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to cut UW-Eau Claire's lead to 41-35 with 3:37 left.

UW-Eau Claire recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and got a 22-yard run by Cory Sartorelli. He then drilled a 32-yard field goal with 1:34 on the clock for the game’s final points. Sartorelli paced all runners with 117 yards and two scores on his 33 carries.

Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) got the scoring started just 2:53 into play when he pulled in a 20-yard pass from Nate Wara. Juston Wara caught eight passes in the game for 98 yards and two scores.

Each team added a rushing touchdown before the end of the first period. Roach scampered in from 10 yards out to give UW-Oshkosh a 14-0 lead. Less than three minutes later, Sartorelli capped a 69-yard drive with an eight-yard score. The Titans led 14-7 after one quarter of play.

The game’s momentum turned when Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) fumbled a snap early in the second period. The Blugolds pounced on the opportunity and took over six yards from the goal line. Spencer Kehoe caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Paulson to equal the score at 14.

After Nate Wara sprinted for 20 yards on 3rd-and-8, he connected with Juston Wara for a 26-yard pass and a five-yard touchdown. The score gave the Titans a 21-14 lead with 10:21 to play in the second quarter. Nate Wara had a pass dropped on the possession to end his streak of consecutive completions at 21, including nine from last Saturday's (Oct. 24) game against UW-Platteville.

UW-Eau Claire used some Halloween trickery to pull closer on its next opportunity. Austin Neu completed a 17-yard pass to Goodman on a fake punt to keep the drive alive. Paulson added a 17-yard run to set up Sartorelli, who took the ball into the end zone from two yards out to cut the Blugolds' deficit to 21-20.

The Titans used several quick screen passes to wide receivers in the first half as they upped their advantage. Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) caught a 14-yard pass late in the second quarter to reach the red zone. Paul Coburn (Jr. • Sussex) then reached up for a 10-yard touchdown catch to give the Titans a 28-20 lead with 1:54 to play before the break.

Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) tried to add to the Titans’ 7-0 advantage in the first quarter, but his 34-yard field goal was blocked. His attempt from 32 yards just before halftime was also blocked, this time by Andy Neumann. Neumann was second on the Blugolds in tackles with eight, including two quarterback sacks.

It was the third time this season UW-Oshkosh amassed more than 500 yards as it totaled 527 to the Blugolds’ 375. Paulson finished with 213 yards and four touchdowns through the air, while Goodman (98 yards), Kehoe (80 yards) and Brett Schreiner (40 yards) each posted five pass receptions for UW-Eau Claire.

Third-down conversions belonged to the Titans, who were successful on 10 of their 17 opportunities. UW-Eau Claire reached the sticks on just 2-of-10 attempts, but it played smart by committing just one penalty. UW-Oshkosh was charged with nine penalties in the game.

Kalan Stittleburg recorded 11 tackles to pace a Blugold defense that tallied five quarterback sacks. James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) counted 15 tackles and Cameron Heilman (Jr. • Port Washington) 10 and one forced fumble.

UW-Oshkosh visits defending WIAC champion UW-Whitewater next Saturday (Nov. 4).

A pair of quick-strike offenses will square off when UW-Oshkosh faces UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Oct. 31) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. The Titans kick off their only night home game of the year at 7 p.m.

UW-Oshkosh (4-3/2-2 WIAC) and UW-Eau Claire (3-4/1-3 WIAC) own the two lowest time of possession totals in the league. The Blugolds boast a pass/rush combo that rivals any other in the WIAC. Kyle Paulson has a conference-best 15 touchdown passes in addition to his 253 yards per game. Cory Sartorelli has hit paydirt 11 times while rushing for 96 yards per contest. The receiving group is led by Spencer Kehoe, who has 464 yards, and Brett Schreiner, who has six scores. Ryan Leis tops the UW-Eau Claire defense with 45 tackles.

The Blugolds fell behind, 22-0, as they dropped last week’s (Oct. 24) contest to UW-Stout by a score of 36-15. UW-Eau Claire had just 40 rushing yards in the loss. After opening conference play with defeats to UW-Stevens Point and UW-Whitewater, the Blugolds topped UW-Platteville, 34-26, on Oct. 17. They went 1-2 before WIAC action, including a 52-45, double-overtime win at Hope College (Mich.).

Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) scampered in for a four-yard touchdown with 35 seconds to play as the Titans won, 23-20, at Platteville last Saturday (Oct. 24). UW-Oshkosh also got a fourth-down rushing score by Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) in the final period. Including that victory, the Titans’ last five WIAC wins have come by a combined 11 points. UW-Oshkosh earned a 31-29 triumph over UW-River Falls on Oct. 10 for its first league victory.

The Titans’ running attack includes Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate), who has 410 yards and a 6.2-yards-per-carry average. Roach also contributes in the backfield as he posts 145 all-purpose yards per game, ranking first in the WIAC. Completing 62 percent of his passes, Wara owns 950 yards and six touchdowns through the air. Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) tops the squad with 22 catches on the season.

UW-Oshkosh has been able to win some tight games because of its conference-leading +8 turnover margin. Nate Heard (Jr. • Milwaukee) lists first in the league with four interceptions, as does James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) with 99 tackles. Taraboi’s average of 14 stops per game is the best mark in all of the NCAA Division III. The Titans look to improve in the penalty department, where they have been charged with a WIAC-high 72 yards per game.

UW-Oshkosh invites all area children to attend its upcoming football game on Saturday (Oct. 31) at 7 p.m. against UW-Eau Claire.

Children have the opportunity to experience a college football game as the Titans host NCAA Football’s 15th annual “Take A Kid to the Game” program presented by Coca-Cola and sponsored by other Corporate Champions, AT&T and Pontiac.

Kids, ages 12 and younger, will receive a free ticket with the purchase of a full-priced adult ticket, to watch the Titans at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Oshkosh is one of more than 200 schools across the nation that is hosting a game in this campaign focused on allowing youth the opportunity to attend college football games. The Take A Kid to the Game® program is entering into its 14th year in the promotion of collegiate athletics.

Tickets are currently available for this event and will be on sale the day of the game. In addition to the game the athletic department will be holding a Halloween costume contest for all in attendance who dress up. The winners will receive savings bonds of $100, $50, and $25 compliments of the UW-Oshkosh Credit Union.

The Take A Kid to the Game program is one of the national promotions of NCAA Football, the marketing arm of college football. NCAA Football represents a coalition of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, the National Association of Collegiate Directors of Athletics and the Conference Commissioners Association.

Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) found the end zone from four yards out with 35 seconds left to give the UW-Oshkosh football team a 23-20 comeback win over UW-Platteville on Saturday (Oct. 24) in Platteville.

The touchdown capped a 12-play, 78-yard drive in the contest’s last four minutes. Roach also had runs of nine and 20 yards on the possession, which featured four completions for 32 yards by Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh). The Pioneers tossed four incomplete passes in the final seconds to end the game.

In a battle that included seven first-half turnovers, the Titans (4-3/2-2 WIAC) wore down the Pioneers’ (3-4/1-3 WIAC) defense with their running game. Wara posted 86 yards on 17 carries, while Roach added 71 yards on 14 rushes and Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) 57 yards on nine attempts. UW-Oshkosh got touchdowns on its last two drives as it outscored UW-Platteville, 13-0, in the fourth quarter.

Five of the game’s first six possessions ended with a punt before UW-Platteville started a drive in Titan territory. Joe Burkeland hauled in a 16-yard catch to set up Jimmy Spehn, who posted a touchdown reception from 19 yards out. The Pioneers’ score put them up, 7-0, with 1:42 left in the first quarter.

UW-Oshkosh got its offense rolling with runs of 19 and 22 yards by Weissman. A penalty and a sack killed that threat, but the Titans’ defense stepped up just plays later. Nate Heard (Jr. • Milwaukee) picked off a pass and returned it 25 yards for the touchdown. The extra point equaled the score at 7 with 12:39 on the second-quarter clock.

The Titans had four turnovers in the opening half, while the Pioneers had three. UW-Oshkosh’s first giveaway set up a 36-yard field goal by Tony Smidl for a 10-7 advantage. A Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) interception allowed another Smidl attempt, but his 30-yard try was no good midway through the second period.

Another Titans’ fumble put UW-Platteville in position to increase its lead before halftime. The Pioneers’ 63-yard drive included a 15-yard run from Chad Roscoe and a pass interference penalty on UW-Oshkosh. Travis Nelson hauled in a 12-yard touchdown catch 56 seconds before the break to take a 17-7 lead.

Wara accounted for all but seven yards during the Titans’ first offensive score. He ran five times to set up Andy Lindsay’s (So. • Howard) 27-yard field goal. The kick made it a 17-10 figure with 7:12 left in the third quarter.

A poor punt by UW-Oshkosh put the Pioneers just 37 yards from the end zone. John Kelly recorded a pair of seven-yard runs, but the Titans’ defense surrendered only a field goal of 32 yards by Smidl with 1:10 to play before the final period.

Wara ignited the Titans’ offense with a pair of 11-yard runs during a 77-yard touchdown drive. He also connected with Steve Levonowich (Sr. • Kenosha) and Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) for pass plays of 18 yards. Facing fourth-and-goal at the one, Wara took it himself for the rushing touchdown. UW-Oshkosh’s extra point try was blocked to keep the tally at 20-16 with 12:02 remaining.

UW-Oshkosh totaled 320 yards of offense, with Wara completing 13-of-22 passes for 92 yards. Budiac topped all pass catchers with five grabs, while the Pioneers’ Spehn posted a game-high 49 receiving yards. UW-Platteville’s 297 yards included 146 through the air (16-32 attempts) from Mitch Shadley and 48 on the ground (19 carries) by Chad Roscoe.

The Pioneers, who were led by the seven tackles each of Ross Mueller and Randy Langer, committed nine penalties for a total of 102 yards. The UW-Oshkosh defense held UW-Platteville to 4-of-17 conversions on third down, thanks to another 16 tackles and one sack from the top tackler in the NCAA Division III, James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton). Cameron Heilman (Jr. • Port Washington) chipped in with 11 stops for the Titans.

The UW-Oshkosh football team hopes its improved offense can avenge last year’s shutout when it travels to UW-Platteville on Saturday (Oct. 24). The Titans (3-3/1-2 WIAC) and Pioneers (3-3/1-2 WIAC) will kick off at 2 p.m.

UW-Platteville posted a 28-0 victory in the 2008 meeting as Joe Burkeland completed his first 13 passes. The Pioneers took control of the contest with three long touchdown drives during the third quarter. In the all-time series dating back to 1911, UW-Platteville owns a 47-42-4 edge.

Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) and Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) lead the Titans’ backfield as the two combine for 5.8 yards per carry. Roach leads the team with 380 yards and five touchdowns on the ground, while Weissman has 353 yards and one score. Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) has 858 yards and six touchdowns passing as he likes to spread the ball around. UW-Oshkosh boasts seven players with at least 11 receptions, including a team-high 17 by both Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) and Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago).

UW-Oshkosh’s past four games have been decided by a touchdown or less, including last week’s 24-17 loss to UW-Stevens Point. The Pointers’ Jared Jenkins was too much in the passing game, as he grabbed 13 passes for 189 yards. Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) put together the Titans’ best receiving total of the year with 113 yards of his own. UW-Oshkosh is playing a road game for just the second time since Sept. 5.

A nine-point lead in the third quarter was not enough for the Pioneers last week, since UW-Eau Claire ran off three straight touchdowns for a 34-26 victory. Mitch Shadley connected on 22 of his 39 passes for 288 yards in the defeat. Kicker Tony Smidl converted four attempts to tie a UW-Platteville record with his 28th career field goal. The Pioneers started the year 2-0 before knocking off UW-La Crosse, 26-13, on Oct. 10 to improve to 3-2.

The UW-Platteville offense ranks eighth in the WIAC with 291 yards per game. At quarterback, Nick Anderson has 726 yards, two touchdowns and seven interceptions, while Shadley owns 564 yards and four scores. Brandon Hertrampf is the team’s leading rusher with 64 carries for 173 yards. Owning 32 catches and 348 yards, Aunton Terry paces all Pioneer receivers. Tom Bruins highlights the defensive unit with 64 tackles.

The Titans own the best turnover margin (+9) in the WIAC, partially thanks to the top tackler in the nation. James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) leads the NCAA Division III with an average of nine solo tackles per game. His 14 total stops per contest list second in the country, while he has added three sacks and two interceptions.

Jared Jenkins had two spectacular one-handed grabs among his 13 catches for 189 yards to help UW-Stevens Point knock off the UW-Oshkosh football team, 24-17, on Saturday (Oct. 17) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

A 61-yard snatch and run by Jenkins converted a third down and put the game away in the final five minutes. UW-Oshkosh (3-3/1-2 WIAC) had a chance late, but Nate Wara’s (Fr. • Oshkosh) pass was intercepted by Joe Mleziva with 1:46 to play.

The Pointers’ (4-2/3-0 WIAC) Jared Beckwith threw for 306 yards on 25-of-37 attempts, while Garrett Medenwald ran for 130 yards on 28 carries. Medenwald had a 14-yard run to set up Beckwith, who rushed in from three yards out for a 7-0 lead in the first quarter.

UW-Oshkosh came right back with a nine-play drive to tie its Homecoming game. After Nate Wara connected with Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) for 20 yards, Paul Coburn (Jr. • Sussex) hauled in a 25-yard touchdown over the middle on the opening play of the second quarter.

Medenwald carried four times on the ensuing UW-Stevens Point drive. He also caught a pass for 10 yards to reach the red zone. The Pointers went up, 10-7, on a 25-yard field goal by Andrew Clohan.

The next three possessions resulted in punts before Jenkins posted gains of 10 and 26 yards. The 73-yard march, which included a 21-yard Keith Ingram run, ended with a one-yard touchdown rush from Joe Francar. The tally with 3:41 to play gave UW-Stevens Point a 17-7 halftime advantage.

The Titans had a field goal attempt blocked late in the second quarter before both offenses struggled in the third. UW-Oshkosh got a key defensive stop when Jack Breese (So. • Kewaskum) recovered a Jenkins fumble at his own four-yard line.

Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh) converted 3rd-and-14 with a 21-yard reception to get something going. Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) followed with a pair of runs for 24 yards before Steve Levonowich (Sr. • Kenosha) took a pass for 29 more. The 81-yard drive concluded when Coburn won a jump ball for a nine-yard touchdown. The Titans pulled within 17-14 with 21 seconds remaining in the third period.

Beckwith locked on to Jenkins and Aaron Leonhardt during the middle of the final quarter. Leonhardt made four catches during the Pointers’ 18-play drive that covered 80 yards. Jenkins’ sixth grab of the possession came on 4th-and-2 from the four-yard line. He hauled in the pass on an out route and fought into the end zone for the 24-14 lead with 7:13 to play.

Juston Wara stretched the defense for a 50-yard reception when UW-Oshkosh got it back. The play put the Titans at the one-yard line, but they couldn’t cash it in. Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) booted a 22-yard field goal with 5:18 remaining to count the final points.

UW-Oshkosh totaled 96 yards on the ground, led by 71 on nine carries from Weissman. Nate Wara connected on 17-of-24 passes for 190 yards, while Juston Wara pulled in five receptions for 113 yards.

James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) added to his conference-leading tackle total with 16 stops, including two for a loss, one sack and a forced fumble. The Titans also got nine tackles and two fumble recoveries by Breese. John Jones recorded nine stops to lead UW-Stevens Point.

The Pointers owned the time of possession with a 37:37-22:23 disparity. They outgained UW-Oshkosh, 487-328, while converting nine of their 16 third downs. UW-Stevens Point upped its advantage to 60-40-8 in the all-times series, which is the 14th longest in NCAA Division III history.

With each team coming off a tight victory, it should be a good battle when UW-Oshkosh and UW-Stevens Point meet on Saturday (Oct. 17). The Titans’ homecoming contest has a kickoff of 1:30 p.m. at Titan Stadium.

UW-Oshkosh (3-2/1-1 WIAC) posted a 31-29 win against UW-River Falls last week (Oct. 10). The Titans took advantage of 137 rushing yards by Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) and an offensive fumble recovery score from Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh). In its first two contests, UW-Oshkosh won by 18-plus points before dropping its next two games by seven or less.

Roach has 369 yards and five touchdowns on the ground for the Titans, who have tallied at least 25 points in every game. Quarterback Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) has 668 yards and four touchdowns passing, in addition to 176 yards and four scores rushing. Both Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) and Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) have 15 catches to pace UW-Oshkosh. The defensive unit features James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton), who has a WIAC-leading 67 tackles, including eight for a loss, and two interceptions.

The Pointers (3-2/2-0 WIAC) pulled out a 7-6 win against UW-Stout in a defensive struggle last week. Jared Jenkins caught a 24-yard touchdown pass during the third quarter for the deciding score. In the conference opener, UW-Stevens Point won 48-33 thanks to 447 yards and five touchdowns passing by Jared Beckwith.

The WIAC’s most dynamic duo is Beckwith and Jenkins, who have hooked up 46 times for 688 yards and nine touchdowns through five games. Beckwith guides the passing attack with 1,287 yards and 11 scores while completing 64 percent of his throws. UW-Stevens Point gets 263 of its 344 yards per game through the air, but Mike Ferron tops the run game with 59 carries for 187 yards. Joe Mleziva has 48 tackles to pace the Pointers’ defense.

In 2008, UW-Stevens Point maintained its national ranking with a 34-33 overtime triumph against the Titans. Beckwith fired 59 passes and racked up 470 yards, but it was the defense that stymied a Titans’ two-point try to end the game. McClelland tossed three touchdowns of his own, including a 71-yard connection with Roach, in the loss. The Pointers hold a 59-40-8 edge in the all-time series, which began 103 years ago.

Wide receiver Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh) did not catch a pass, but he took a teammate’s fumble 45 yards for the go-ahead score in UW-Oshkosh’s 31-29 win over the UW-River Falls football team on Saturday (Oct. 10) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

In a 7-7 game during the second quarter, Matt Haass (Jr. • Brownsville) fought for the first down on a 3rd-and-18 screen pass. At the end of the run, the ball came loose and Braasch picked it up at the UW-River Falls’ 45-yard line. He sprinted to the end zone to go in front, 14-7, with 3:56 to play before halftime.

The Titans’ defense intercepted three passes during the second half to seal the victory. UW-Oshkosh (3-2/1-1 WIAC) also rushed for 246 yards in the contest, including 137 on 19 carries by Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield). Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) had 67 yards passing, 64 yards rushing and two touchdowns.

Wara spun his way free for a 13-yard run to set up his scoring throw during the first quarter. Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) hauled in his third reception of the drive for the four-yard touchdown to tie the score at 7. UW-River Falls posted the game’s first points on a Taylor Edwards nine-yard run the previous possession.

The Falcons (2-3/0-2 WIAC) got a 27-yard field goal by Chad Blair 42 seconds before intermission to cut their deficit to 14-10.

UW-Oshkosh’s Nate Heard (Jr. • Milwaukee) picked off Ryan Luessenheide on the opening possession of the third period. Roach rushed for gains of 17 and 12 as the Titans capped the 50-yard drive with a four-yard scoring run from Wara.

Edwards, who registered UW-River Falls’ first 13 carries, ran four times when the Falcons got the ball back. They answered with a Ryan Hansen 19-yard touchdown catch with 6:14 remaining in the third quarter. Hansen snatched the ball in the corner of the end zone and managed to stay inbounds. The two-point try failed to keep the Titans’ lead at 21-16.

Runs of 36 and nine yards by Wara on the ensuing drive made sure UW-Oshkosh stayed in front. The longer of the two rushes converted a third down and put the Titans at the 12-yard line, where Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) carried twice to paydirt. His seven-yard touchdown made it a 28-16 contest with 4:11 left on the third-quarter clock.

James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton), who topped all players with 14 tackles, intercepted a pass near midfield to set up another score. Roach scampered for gains of 23 and 11 before Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) knocked through a 22-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter for a 15-point advantage.

UW-River Falls used back-to-back completions from Luessenheide to total 31 yards as it continued to scratch and claw. He then ran in from four yards out for a touchdown with 8:02 remaining. The extra point was no good to keep the tally at 31-22.

Eric Brewster got past the entire secondary for a 54-yard Falcons’ gain after UW-Oshkosh punted the ball back. Michael Woodward caught a 15-yard score two plays later to trim the deficit to two points with 3:32 to play. The Titans were able to run for a pair of first downs to run the clock out and end the game.

UW-Oshkosh outgained UW-River Falls, 420-404. Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) topped the Titan receivers with five grabs for 25 yards, while the Falcons’ Hansen hauled in seven passes for 77 yards. Edwards, who entered the game averaging 6.5 yards per rush, got 94 yards on 26 attempts (3.6 average). Completing 19-of-38 passes, Luessenheide recorded 250 yards, two touchdowns and three interceptions.

The Falcon defense held UW-Oshkosh to just 4-of-12 conversions on third down. Ross Potter marked nine stops to lead the squad, which fell to the Titans for the fourth consecutive year. UW-River Falls was successful on seven of its 16 third-down tries and both of its fourth-down attempts.

UW-Oshkosh strives for its fourth consecutive win over UW-River Falls when the two teams clash on Saturday (Oct. 10). Kickoff for the contest is set for 1 p.m. at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The Titans (2-2/0-1 WIAC) hope that this year’s edition has a similar result to last season’s finale. UW-Oshkosh earned its third one-point victory of the 2008 campaign when Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) pulled in a two-yard touchdown with no time left for a 13-12 win in River Falls.

During the past two weeks, the Titans came up short in a 31-29 defeat to Ohio Dominican University and a 32-25 setback at UW-La Crosse. Linebacker James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) compiled 34 tackles for UW-Oshkosh over those two games. The Titans began the season on fire offensively, racking up 500-plus yards in wins over both Ripon College and Huntingdon College (Ala.).

UW-River Falls (2-2/0-1 WIAC) dropped a 13-12 decision in overtime to UW-Stout last week. The Falcons, who got 207 rushing yards from Taylor Edwards, elected for a two-point conversion try and failed in the extra session. In its two games prior, UW-River Falls posted a 40-27 win over Alma College and a 20-17 triumph against Northwestern College. The season opener saw the Falcons lose to St. John’s University, 24-20.

Edwards is the focal point of the offense, totaling 536 yards and four touchdowns on the ground this year. Ryan Luessenheide has 556 yards and three scores on 42-of-80 passing. The Falcons’ receiving leaders are Michael Woodward with 213 yards on 13 catches and Ryan Hansen with 167 yards on 11 grabs. Cole Lowell tops the defensive unit with 38 tackles.

UW-Oshkosh spreads the ball around, utilizing two quarterbacks and a pair of running threats. Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) is the team passing leader with 581 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) has 294 yards and four scores. The rushing department boasts Charlie Weissman’s (So. • Colgate) 241 yards, along with 232 yards and five touchdowns by Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield). Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) paces all Titan receivers with 12 catches for 133 yards.

Last season was the fourth time in the series that the margin of victory was just one point. UW-River Falls holds a 34-18-1 overall mark, but the Titans have captured four of the last five contests. UW-Oshkosh’s lone blemish during that span was a 13-10 overtime loss in 2005.

UW-La Crosse’s trio of Reid Oldenburg, Lee Lauters and Nick Anker rushed for 264 yards to earn a 32-25 victory over the UW-Oshkosh football team on Saturday (Oct. 3) in La Crosse. The game was the WIAC opener for both squads.

Oldenburg led the runners with 101 yards on 15 carries, all coming in the first half. The third and fourth periods belonged to Lauters, who finished with 19 rushes for 97 yards. Anker carried 18 times for 66 yards in addition to a career-high 273 yards through the air on 21-of-37 attempts.

A pair of long pass plays from Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) pulled the Titans (2-2/0-1 WIAC) within striking distance late in the contest. He hooked up with Paul Coburn (Jr. • Sussex) for 29 yards to reach UW-La Crosse territory. Ben Rosandick (Sr. • Pittsville) then pulled in a 28-yard touchdown two plays later to cut the deficit to just three points. After the Titans’ extra-point try was blocked, the final period began with a 25-22 Eagles’ lead.

Travis Bordeau, who topped all receivers with seven catches for 94 yards, hauled in a 15-yard pass as the Eagles (4-0/1-0 WIAC) extended their lead. Lauters ran into the end zone from eight yards out with 11:52 remaining to make it 32-22. The Titans got an Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) 35-yard field goal with 1:49 left, but their onside kick was recovered by UW-La Crosse to seal the game.

UW-Oshkosh hung in the contest thanks to four takeaways. The running game, however, never got rolling. The Titans entered the bout averaging 5.2 yards per carry, but were only able to muster 2.4 yards against the Eagles. UW-La Crosse’s defense contributed to its win with four sacks for a total loss of 46 yards.

Each team went three-and-out on its opening possession before the Titans came through on offense. Jeremy Roach’s (Jr. • Deerfield) 24-yard run on 3rd-and-7 kept a drive going, as did a 17-yard pickup on a third-down reception from Matt Haass (Jr. • Brownsville). Lindsay cashed in the 67-yard drive with a 25-yard field goal for a 3-0 advantage.

The Eagles, who entered the game ranked 17th in the NCAA Division III by D3football.com, came right back with an Oldenburg 17-yard run. UW-La Crosse gained seven yards on each of its next three plays before a 24-yard catch by Bordeau to set up its kicker. Dylan Rude knocked through a 23-yard try to tie the game at 3 with 4:15 to play in the opening quarter.

A good punt from UW-Oshkosh pinned the Eagles at their own eight-yard line, but they responded with a seven-play scoring drive. Anker connected with Oldenburg for 15 yards before hitting Alex Maxinoski on a 61-yard score. The completion made it a 9-3 tally with 11:55 left in the second quarter.

Jake Schnetzer (Sr. • Menasha) posted the Titans’ second interception when he picked off Anker at the goal line. UW-Oshkosh had to punt once again, where Oldenburg carried on four of the next six plays. He gained 40 yards, including a 20-yard run into the end zone. UW-La Crosse failed on the extra-point attempt to keep it 15-3 with 5:08 remaining in the half.

The second-half kickoff went to the Eagles, who outgained UW-Oshkosh, 307-42, in the first two quarters. Anker sprinted free for a 19-yard run during the possession, which ended with a 24-yard field goal by Rude.

UW-Oshkosh continued the wild third frame that featured 29 total points. Roach had a 24-yard reception on the Titans’ first play and then finished the drive with a 27-yard touchdown run. That made it an 18-10 score with 9:40 left in the quarter.

Another Schnetzer interception set up the Titans, who got a 20-yard run from Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago). They had to punt, but got the ball back on a fumble at the Eagles’ seven-yard line. From there, Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) found Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) for a two-yard touchdown. The two-point try to equal the score failed.

Lauters carried the load for UW-La Crosse on its next possession. His six rushes for 39 yards got the Eagles into position, where Bordeau hauled in a six-yard touchdown reception. The 10-play, 73-yard drive resulted in a 25-16 lead with 1:59 to play in the third quarter.

Wara connected on 14 of his 27 passes for 150 yards, with Budiac leading UW-Oshkosh receivers on four catches for 31 yards. Roach took his 11 carries for 85 yards and one touchdown, while Charlie Weissman (So • Colgate) added 26 yards on seven attempts.

UW-La Crosse posted a 537-261 edge in offensive yards, as well as a 31-14 advantage in first downs. The Eagles converted 8-of-15 third downs, while the Titans were successful on 7-of-18.

James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) compiled 13 tackles to pace UW-Oshkosh, with Andy Kremel (Jr. • Waukesha) tacking on 10 stops. Aaron Johnson recorded seven takedowns in leading the Eagles’ defense.

The UW-Oshkosh football team looks to shine under the lights of Roger Harring Stadium when the Titans take on 17th-ranked UW-La Crosse on Saturday (Oct. 3) in La Crosse. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. as both teams begin the conference slate.

In last week’s contest, the Titans (2-1) nearly overcame an 18-point, fourth-quarter deficit as they fell to Ohio Dominican University, 31-29. UW-Oshkosh revved up the defense in the second half, led by a career-high 21 tackles from James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton). The offense was the story of the first two contests, as UW-Oshkosh racked up a pair of 500-yard performances in a 31-13 win over Huntingdon College (Ala.) and a 40-16 victory against Ripon College.

UW-La Crosse (3-0) is coming off its largest shutout win in 12 years after taking down Missouri University of Science and Technology, 48-0, last Saturday (Sept. 26). The Eagles rushed for 228 yards, including 96 with three touchdowns by Reid Oldenburg. In the first of three consecutive home games, UW-La Crosse tallied a 49-24 win over Azusa Pacific University (Calif.). The Eagles, ranked 17th in the NCAA Division III by D3football.com, started their impressive campaign with a 28-13 triumph at East Texas Baptist University.

Oldenburg is the key to an offense that averages 42 points and 212 rushing yards per game. He has carried 75 times for 441 yards and seven scores. The aerial attack is directed by Nick Anker, who has completed 45-of-77 passes (58 percent) for 558 yards and four touchdowns. Alex Maxinoski tops the team with 16 receptions for 209 yards, while Dustin Drath owns 22 tackles to pace the Eagles’ defense.

The Titans own three players with at least 130 yards rushing, led by Charlie Weissman’s (So. • Colgate) 215 yards on 31 attempts. Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) has tacked on 147 yards and four touchdowns on 33 carries, in addition to the 30 attempts, 130 yards and three touchdowns by Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh). UW-Oshkosh’s leading receiver is Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) with his 10 grabs for 128 yards. Wara has 431 yards and two touchdowns in the passing game, with Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) airing it out for 256 yards and three touchdowns of his own.

Last year’s bout between these two teams saw UW-La Crosse rattle off 29 unanswered points in a 35-7 decision. Anker threw for 219 yards and two scores while Drath posted a key interception. The first-ever meeting in this series came in 1919, with the Eagles holding a 47-8-6 advantage since then.

UW-Oshkosh linebacker James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) was named the WIAC's Defensive Player of the Week for his performance in the Titans' 31-29 loss to Ohio Dominican University on Sept. 26 in Oshkosh.

Taraboi tallied a career-high 21 tackles against UW-Oshkosh's NAIA opponent, including 11 solo and three for a loss. His three tackles behind the Ohio Dominican University line of scrimmage totaled 12 yards in losses.

Taraboi recorded four tackles (two solo) in the first quarter, seven (four solo) in the second quarter, three (three solo) in the third quarter and seven (two solo) in the fourth. His fourth-quarter performance included two tackles for a loss.

The WIAC also selected running back Taylor Edwards of UW-River Falls as its Offensive Player of the Week and placekicker Jeff Schebler of UW-Whitewater as its Special Teams Player of the Week.

UW-Oshkosh’s furious fourth-quarter rally came up just short during a 31-29 football defeat to Ohio Dominican University on Saturday (Sept. 26) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The Titans (2-1) broke out of an offensive slump by outscoring the Panthers, 16-0, in the final period. Ohio Dominican University (2-2) recorded 437 total yards in amassing a 31-13 advantage through three quarters.

After eight straight scoreless possessions, UW-Oshkosh got a boost from its special teams. Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) took back a punt 81 yards to put his team in scoring position. Following a 14-yard catch from Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove), Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) ran into the end zone from two yards out. The scoreboard showed a 31-20 figure with 12 minutes remaining.

A defensive three-and-out got the Titans’ offense back on the field, where Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) gained 19 yards on a screen pass. Matt Haass (Jr. • Brownsville) then tacked on a 15-yard reception to reach the red zone. With 7:20 on the clock, Roach scampered 13 yards on a draw play for the score to make it 31-26.

UW-Oshkosh’s two-point try was unsuccessful, as was the Panthers’ quarterback sneak on their ensuing drive. On fourth-and-inches, Billy Griffin was stuffed to give the Titans possession at the Ohio Dominican 38-yard line. Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) picked up 30 yards on third-and-long to give UW-Oshkosh a chance. After McClelland dropped a potential go-ahead touchdown at the goal line, Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) came in to cut the deficit with a 22-yard field goal as the clock showed 4:29 to play.

Tyler Purcell carried the next five plays for 39 yards to run the clock out as UW-Oshkosh didn’t see the ball again. Purcell concluded the contest with 151 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown. Ohio Dominican also got 51 yards rushing by Mike Noffsinger on 10 carries and six receptions for 77 yards from Kyle Reichelderfer. Griffin handled the majority of the passing with 192 yards and two scores on 14-of-26 throws.

Reichelderfer hauled in a nine-yard touchdown just 3:23 into the contest as the Panthers scored on the game’s opening drive. The possession also included a 16-yard catch from Brian Vollmer and a 12-yard grab by Reichelderfer.

UW-Oshkosh responded with a 15-play, 95-yard march. Weissman had carries of 18 and nine yards, while Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) gathered a 16-yard catch on 3rd-and-10. Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh), who had a clutch 15-yard run earlier on the drive, capped it off with a one-yard run to make it 7-6 with 2:57 remaining in the first quarter.

The second period featured 28 points, including scores on three consecutive trips. Ohio Dominican tallied a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Noffsinger 12:11 before halftime. A pair of Purcell rushes, both covering 15-plus yards, then set up Reichelderfer’s 14-yard touchdown catch with 6:57 to play.

Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) entered the game as UW-Oshkosh’s quarterback and marked a 10-yard run before his one-yard touchdown carry. The drive, which included a 19-yard Ben Rosandick (Sr. • Pittsville) reception, began with Roach’s 28-yard kickoff return to midfield. Wegner’s bootleg sprint to the pylon cut the Titans’ deficit to 14-13 at the 8:45 mark of the second period.

Ohio Dominican went 88 yards on 13 plays to increase its lead before the break. Vollmer picked up 18 yards on a catch to open the drive, while Purcell ran the final six yards for the score. The Panthers tallied with seven seconds remaining to go up, 28-13, at halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, as the two teams combined for seven punts, one interception and three points. The lone offensive highlight of the period was a 22-yard catch on 3rd-and-16 by Reichelderfer. James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton), who amassed a career-best 21 tackles in the contest, made a huge stop for a seven-yard loss to force one Panthers’ punt.

Special teams changed the game late in the third period, with Ohio Dominican blocking a punt at the Titans’ 14-yard line. Chris Vortkamp made it count on a 28-yard field goal by upping the Panthers’ lead to 31-13 with 17 seconds left in the quarter. Roach, who finished with 169 yards on five kick returns, brought the ensuing one back 43 yards.

Both squads ran at least 80 offensive plays, with the Panthers outgaining UW-Oshkosh, 503-354. Ohio Dominican also converted 10-of-19 third downs while topping the Titans in first downs, 31-19. Steven Witherspoon notched seven solo tackles in the contest to pace the visiting Panthers.

Roach totaled 49 yards and 12 carries on the ground to lead UW-Oshkosh, in addition to 40 yards on 10 attempts by Weissman. Nate Wara completed 15-of-27 passes for 132 yards, while McClelland led all Titan receivers with five grabs and 44 yards.

UW-Oshkosh's defensive effort also included the eight tackles of Justin Metzger (Sr. • Howard) and the seven of Cameron Heilman (Jr. • Port Washington).

After posting an average of 6.7 yards per play in its first two games, UW-Oshkosh earned just 4.4 against the Panthers. The Titans will try to get back on track with the WIAC opener next Saturday (Oct. 3) at UW-La Crosse.

UW-Oshkosh goes after both its third straight victory and third consecutive game of 500-plus yards when it hosts Ohio Dominican University on Saturday (Sept. 26) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. Kickoff is set for noon in what will be the second all-time meeting between the schools.

UW-Oshkosh (2-0) racked up 554 total yards during last Saturday's (Sept. 19) 31-13 win over Huntingdon College (Ala.). That output followed the Titans’ outburst of 517 yards in a 40-16 victory over Ripon College on Sept. 5. The only other occasion during the past 12 years in which UW-Oshkosh recorded consecutive 500-yard games was early in the 2007 campaign.

Playing as an National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) independent, Ohio Dominican University (1-2) is in the middle of a three-game road trip. The Panthers, who expect to join the NCAA Division II in 2011, dropped a 23-16 decision at Walsh University (Ohio) last Saturday. The Panthers opened the season with a 14-13 loss to Bentley University (Mass.) on Sept. 5 and a 44-21 victory over Seton Hill University (Pa.) on Sept. 12.

Quarterback Billy Griffin directs the Ohio Dominican University offense that averages 256 passing yards per contest. He has completed 49-of-103 passes for 549 yards and four touchdowns. The Panthers' leading receiver is Kyle Reichelderfer, who owns 14 catches for 255 yards and one score. Ohio Dominican University's running attack features Austin Wallace’s 110 yards on 27 carries and Tyler Purcell’s 106 yards on 17 attempts. On the defensive side, corner back Brian Babcock tops the unit with 25 tackles, three pass breakups and one interception.

UW-Oshkosh's offense has been as balanced at it gets, averaging 269 yards rushing and 267 yards passing per game. Quarterback Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) contributes in both categories with his 104 yards on the ground and another 299 through the air. Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) leads the Titans on the ground with 175 yards on 21 carries, while Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) has added 98 yards and two touchdowns. The pass receiving core has two players, Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) and Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh), with 93 yards apiece. Linebackers James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) and Justin Metzger (Sr. • Howard) each own 19 tackles to pace the Titan defense.

The only other meeting in this series, a 17-16 UW-Oshkosh win, came on a last-second 26-yard field goal by Taraboi in 2008.

The Internet site D3football.com has named UW-Oshkosh linebacker James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) to its Team of the Week for games played Sept. 14-20.

Taraboi totaled 10 tackles, including one quarterback sack, and played a part in three Huntingdon College (Ala.) turnovers as the Titans defeated the visiting Hawks, 31-13, on Sept. 19.

Taraboi forced two fumbles, one of which he recovered, and intercepted a pass. His forced fumbles came in the first and third quarters and led to UW-Oshkosh scores.

In the fourth quarter, Taraboi stopped a Huntingdon College drive by intercepting a pass at the UW-Oshkosh five-yard line and returning it 23 yards.

Also named to the 21-member team was running back Cory Sartorelli of UW-Eau Claire.

Jamie Braasch’s (Fr. • Oshkosh) 67-yard touchdown reception ignited a string of 24 unanswered points as the UW-Oshkosh football team rolled to a 31-13 win over Huntingdon College (Ala.) on Saturday (Sept. 19) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

Tied 7-7 late in the second quarter, UW-Oshkosh (2-0) opened a drive with two Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) pass completions. Wegner avoided the pass rush and fired a strike to Braasch on 3rd-and-10, with Braasch sprinting the final 25 yards to take the lead. The Titans stayed on top for the remaining 35:29 of the contest.

Despite 1,021 total yards of offense, the game’s momentum shifted on a defensive play. The Hawks’ (2-1) Justin Ridgeway was intercepted on their next possession. Charlie Stueck (So. • Clintonville) grabbed the deflected pass and returned it 44 yards for a touchdown with 4:55 to play in the first half.

UW-Oshkosh’s defense forced a punt to get another chance before intermission. The Titans then used first-down runs by Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh), Duane Hartkopf (So. • Crivitz) and Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) to reach the red zone. With six seconds remaining in the second quarter, Nate Wara connected with Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) in the corner of the end zone for a 28-7 lead.

Huntingdon College moved down the field on its opening drive before turning the ball over. Ridgeway found three different pass receivers for gains of 13-plus yards before extending the possession with a third-down penalty. He tried to put the Hawks on the scoreboard with his feet, but Ridgeway fumbled the ball to the Titans’ Jake Schnetzer (Sr. • Menasha) at the one-yard line.

Nate Wara highlighted a 99-yard march by hitting Matt Haass (Jr. • Brownsville) for a 66-yard pickup. The eight-play drive concluded with a 15-yard run by Nate Wara to give the Titans a 7-0 advantage midway through the opening period.

The two teams traded punts before the Hawks tied the game early in the second quarter. Ridgeway carried on three consecutive plays for a total of 17 yards to set up his five-yard touchdown pass. Willie McDowell made a one-handed reception in the end zone to equal the score at 7-7 with 14:49 to play before halftime.

UW-Oshkosh had three different players complete a pass during its ensuing 71-yard drive. Juston Wara found Nate Wara on a flea-flicker for 21 yards before Haass lofted a 21-yard toss to Juston Wara for a successful fake field goal. The Hawks prevented another score when Chas Worthy intercepted Wegner inside the five-yard line.

Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) tallied a 28-yard run and a 14-yard catch on back-to-back plays in the third quarter. That drive ended with a missed 38-yard field goal from Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard). Lindsay redeemed himself later in the period with a 35-yard connection to put the Titans up, 31-7.

Ridgeway ran for a gain of 23 as the Hawks marked the game’s final points. With 8:44 on the clock, he found Brian Watts for a six-yard touchdown pass. The extra point was blocked to keep the score 31-13.

An interception by James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) deep in UW-Oshkosh territory preserved the margin during the final six minutes. Taraboi had an impressive day, totaling nine tackles, one sack, one forced fumble and a fumble recovery. Jacob Juedes (So. • Sheboygan Falls) contributed nine tackles as well.

Ridgeway finished 24-of-46 for 298 yards with two touchdowns and two interceptions. The Hawks’ total of 467 offensive yards included 66 rushing from Alex Baronich on 14 attempts and 57 by Ridegeway on 16 carries. Watts topped all Huntingdon receivers with 89 yards on seven grabs. Keith Anthony recorded 13 stops on the defensive side as the Hawks surrendered 554 yards to the Titans.

Haass posted a 100-yard receiving game on three catches, to go along with Juston Wara’s three receptions and 29 yards. UW-Oshkosh got 117 yards on 10-of-17 throwing by Nate Wara and 152 yards on 6-of-10 passes from Wegner. Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) rushed for 83 yards and Nate Wara 61, with each carrying 14 times. The Titans racked up 243 yards on the ground to help convert 6-of-15 third downs.

Huntingdon College was able to achieve a 31-23 advantage in first downs as it was successful on nine of its 16 third-down opportunities. The Hawks couldn’t overcome their five turnovers and 10 penalties for a total of 80 yards. UW-Oshkosh had nine infractions of its own as it opened the season 2-0 for the third straight year.

The UW-Oshkosh football team guns for its third straight 2-0 start when it takes on Huntingdon College (Ala.) on Saturday (Sept. 19) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. Kickoff for the contest is set for 2 p.m.

The Titans were victorious in their only previous matchup with the Hawks, taking a 34-3 decision during 2007 in Alabama. UW-Oshkosh pounded the running game for 335 yards in the win, including 150 from Andy Moriarty. Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) broke out in the game as well, carrying nine times for 139 yards and two touchdowns. Zach Golson passed for 82 yards and rushed for 62 to pace Huntingdon College.

The 2009 season opener was business as usual for UW-Oshkosh (1-0), which captured its first game for the 27th time in 29 years. The Titans unveiled a new up-tempo offense as they overwhelmed Ripon College, 40-16. Roach led the outburst with three touchdowns and 49 yards rushing, while Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) added seven carries for 92 yards. Quarterback Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) shined in his collegiate debut with 14-of-21 passing, 225 total yards and two touchdowns.

Huntingdon College (2-0) competed in the St. Louis Intercollegiate Athletic Conference during 2008 and finished second with an 8-2 record. The Hawks reeled off victories in their first eight games, including five by at least 25 points. This season, Huntingdon will play as an independent for the sixth time in the program’s seven-year history.

The Hawks have also dominated in the early going this season. Last Saturday (Sept. 12), Huntingdon knocked off cross-town rival Faulkner University by a score of 45-12. The Hawks amassed a 38-0 cushion after getting four touchdowns on the ground in the first half. It was a similar story in Huntingdon’s first contest, as it piled up four rushing scores during a 31-13 victory against Maryville College (Tenn.).

Alex Baronich leads the Hawks’ running attack with 37 carries for 155 yards and four touchdowns. The passing duties belong to Justin Ridgeway, who has 432 yards and one score on 24-of-44 attempts (54.5 percent). Huntingdon boasts five receivers with at least 50 yards, including 87 and one touchdown by Steven Laye. Kaleb Futral has 19 tackles to top the Hawks’ defense, which has six takeaways and four sacks through two games.

With both squads owning a strong running game, it may come down to which team can explode for the big play. Huntingdon College averages more than 18 yards per catch, while UW-Oshkosh gains 9.7 yards per pass play. The Titans have shown a spark on the ground, however, having six different players break a run of 12-plus yards in the opener.

Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) scored three touchdowns and Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh) two as the UW-Oshkosh football team piled up 517 yards of offense in a 40-16 season-opening victory over Ripon College on Saturday (Sept. 5) in Ripon.

The Titans (1-0) totaled 294 yards on the ground and 223 through the air in defeating the Red Hawks (0-1) for the 10th consecutive game. UW-Oshkosh scored six touchdowns in the contest, including four on its first five possessions of the second half, to win its season opener for the 27th time in 29 years.

Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) led UW-Oshkosh's ground attack with 92 yards on seven carries. Roach added 49 yards on nine carries and Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) 43 on seven.

Wara, who was making his first collegiate start at quarterback, completed 14-of-21 passes for 182 yards and one touchdown. Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) also played quarterback for the Titans. He completed 9-of-16 passes for 41 yards and two touchdowns while rushing six times for 26 yards.

UW-Oshkosh got a defensive three-and-out on the game's opening possession to set up its first points of the season. The Titans drove 82 yards in seven plays to take a 7-0 lead just 3:24 into the contest. The scoring drive, which was capped by a five-yard touchdown run by Roach, featured Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) catching three passes for 36 yards.

Three runs of at least 11 yards got UW-Oshkosh moving again on its next possession. The Titans were unable to increase their lead, however, as a 36-yard field goal attempt by James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) sailed to the right.

Ripon College cut its deficit to 7-6 on Matthew Miller's five-yard touchdown pass to Andrew Fink at the 7:22 mark of the second quarter. Fink set up the 25-yard scoring drive with a 31-yard punt return. The extra point was missed, allowing the Titans to retain a one-point lead.

UW-Oshkosh received a gift late in the second quarter when Kyle Lutz (Sr. • Menomonee Falls) recovered a Ripon College fumble deep in Red Hawk territory. Two plays later, Wara threw a 27-yard touchdown pass to Roach to give the Titans a 13-6 lead at the 1:39 mark of the period.

After Taraboi's extra point was blocked, Ripon College drove 54 yards in eight plays to cut its deficit to 13-9. Jacob Gehart booted a 25-yard field goal with 21 seconds left in the second quarter to cap a scoring drive that featured a 26-yard run by T.J. Pierce and a 28-yard pass from Miller to Fink.

UW-Oshkosh stormed out of the halftime break with touchdowns on its first two possessions of the third quarter. The Titans took advantage of a short kickoff and drove 35 yards to take a 20-9 lead. Wara rushed the final seven yards for a touchdown at the 11:57 mark of the period. Wara followed his score with a 16-yard pass to Roach and 15-yard run on the Titans' next drive. UW-Oshkosh extended its lead to 26-9 on a one-yard touchdown run by Roach with 7:36 left in the frame.

UW-Oshkosh's third scoring drive of the third quarter began with a 60-yard run by Weissman. Four plays later, Wegner lofted a one-yard touchdown pass to Braasch to give the Titans a 33-9 lead with 2:09 left in the period.

UW-Oshkosh closed its scoring with a 16-play, 81-yard drive in the fourth quarter. The possession included a 16-yard run from Fox, as well as a 12-yard pass reception by Braasch. The Titans reached end zone on Wegner's two-yard touchdown pass to Braasch with 8:53 to play.

Ripon College scored the game's final points on Miller's 17-yard touchdown pass to Craig Bednarek with 2:34 remaining. The 11-play, 67-yard scoring drive featured eight runs by Pierce, who finished the contest with 145 yards rushing in 25 attempts.

UW-Oshkosh had nine players catch passes, including Fox who caught seven for 93 yards. Braasch hauled in four passes for 17 yards and Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) three for 39.

Ripon College totaled 293 yards of offense. Miller completed 6-of-15 passes for 115 yards and two touchdowns, while Bednarek and Fink both caught two passes.

UW-Oshkosh was led defensively by the 14 tackles of Justin Metzger (Sr. • Howard), nine of Taraboi and the seven of Nate Gross (So. • Hartland). Vince Sciano (So. • Franklin) had two tackles for a loss, including a quarterback sack. Ripon College, which suffered its first loss in nine home games, was paced by the 12 tackles of Joe Faulds and the 10 of Ryan Andersen.

Ripon College, which recorded its highest point total against UW-Oshkosh since 1921, trails the all-time series with the Titans by a 18-12-6 tally.

The UW-Oshkosh football team aims for its seventh consecutive season-opening victory when it travels to face Ripon College on Saturday (Sept. 5) at 1 p.m. in Ripon. This is the fourth straight year the Titans face the Red Hawks to begin the season, with UW-Oshkosh winning the past three contests.

Last year’s bout was a thriller down to the final minute. Trailing 7-0 in the fourth quarter, Ripon College tied the score on a 14-yard touchdown run from Jon Larsen. The Titans responded with a Joey Fisher score to go back in front with 2:05 remaining. After a one-yard TD plunge by the Red Hawks’ Scott Perkins with 44 seconds to play, the visitors opted for a two-point conversion and the win. UW-Oshkosh’s Nick Craft stuffed the quarterback sneak just short of the goal line to preserve a 14-13 Titan triumph.

UW-Oshkosh made a habit of winning close games in 2008, earning its four victories by a combined five points. The Titans ended up 4-5, including a 2-5 mark in the WIAC for sixth place. After taking the contest with Ripon, UW-Oshkosh traveled to the NAIA’s fifth-ranked team in Ohio Dominican University and pulled off a 17-16 upset win. A 13-12 victory over UW-River Falls on the last play capped the season finale on a high note.

Ripon College, picked to finish third in the Midwest Conference this year, notched an 8-2 record a season ago. The Red Hawks’ two losses came by a total of four points as they earned second place in the league. This year’s squad returns 10 starters, including four All-MWC selections on the defensive side. Ripon College relied heavily on the ground game in 2008, recording 539 rushing attempts and just 131 passes.

Matthew Miller is the leading signal-caller for Ripon, having started nine contests last year. He completed 48.7 percent of his passes with seven touchdowns. Running back Andy Fink piled up 436 yards and five scores in 2008 while posting 5.9 yards per carry. The Red Hawks’ top returning pass catcher is Craig Bednarek, who totaled 115 yards and one touchdown last season. Linebacker Ryan Andersen highlighted the defense by marking 90 tackles and two interceptions.

The Titans bring back most of their starting offense, including running back Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) and wide receiver Steve Levonowich (Sr. • Kenosha). Levonowich rushed for a team-high 350 yards in 2008, while Roach ran for 270. Both weapons also contributed in the passing game, with Roach totaling 178 receiving yards and Levonowich a Titan-best 19 receptions. Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) handled the quarterback duties with a 62.7-percent completion rate, 898 yards and six touchdowns through the air. McClelland’s top targets were Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) with three touchdowns and Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) with two. On the defensive side, James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) tallied 73 tackles and two sacks to pace the squad.

These two schools first met in 1894. The Titans hold a 17-12-6 edge in the all-time series, including nine consecutive victories. If UW-Oshkosh hopes to kick off its 2009 campaign with a win, it will have to take control of the second and third quarters. The Titans were outscored, 106-44, in the middle of games during 2008. On the other side, Ripon College shined with a 175-23 dominance just before and after halftime.

UW-Oshkosh's Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) and James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) will be featured in the September issue of Inside Wisconsin Sports for their selection to the 2009 Inside Wisconsin Sports Preseason Wisconsin Division III Football Team, presented by Mueller Sports Medicine.

Roach, a running back/return specialist, came on strong at the end of the season after missing the first two games of the year with an injury. He ranked second in the WIAC with an average of 24.5 yards per kickoff return while also listing third in the league with 134.1 all-purpose yards per contest. Against UW-Stevens Point, Roach took back four kickoffs for 139 yards, including one 90 yards for a touchdown.

Roach also contributed to the Titans’ late-season success on offense. He lined up at tailback and rushed for at least 60 yards in each of the last three games. Also in UW-Oshkosh’s game with UW-Stevens Point, Roach pulled in a pass and took it 71 yards for a touchdown.

In 2007, Roach rushed 47 times for 355 yards and four touchdowns. He also returned 12 kickoffs for 385 yards and one touchdown, with his 32.1-yard average ranking second in the NCAA Division III. Roach returned a kickoff 86 yards for a touchdown against eventual NCAA Division III champion UW-Whitewater.

Taraboi, a linebacker, put together an impressive season as the leader of the Titans’ defense, recording a team-best 73 tackles. His mark of 8.1 stops per contest ranked fourth in the WIAC. Taraboi finished with 39 solo tackles, including five for a loss and two quarterback sacks. He posted double-digit tackles on five occasions, including 12 against both UW-La Crosse and UW-Platteville. During the 2007 campaign, Taraboi totaled 46 tackles, including 30 solo with seven for a loss and two quarterback sacks. In 2006, Taraboi compiled three tackles, one quarterback sack and one forced fumble.

Taraboi not only prevented teams from scoring, but he also put points on the scoreboard for UW-Oshkosh. He served as the team’s placekicker for the first eight games of the year, making all three of his field goal attempts and connecting on 8-of-10 extra points. Taraboi converted a 26-yard field goal with no time remaining to defeat Ohio Dominican University, the NAIA’s fifth-ranked team, by a score of 17-16.

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