The seven West Region representatives in the NCAA Division III Playoffs combined for 31 selections. UW-Stout, champion of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, led the way with nine selections. St. John's University, which is playing for the NCAA Division III title on Saturday (Dec. 16) after finishing second in the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, followed with six selections.

Kamps had a breakout season for the Titans this past fall, intercepting a team-high six passes to rank seventh in the NCAA Division III. The All-WIAC second team honoree ranked second on the team in tackles with 63, including 32 solo. He also had nine passes broken up and one fumble recovery while starting all 10 games. His statistics are completed by 10 kickoff returns for a 19.6 average and 15 punt returns for a 7.6 average.

Among Kamps' season highlights were 14 tackles and one pass interception in a 37-21 loss to UW-Stout, nine tackles and two pass interceptions in a 38-31 win over UW-Stevens Point and 12 tackles in a 34-0 loss to UW-River Falls.

Kamps started all 10 games for UW-Oshkosh in 1999, totaling 64 tackles, three pass interceptions and two fumble recoveries. In 1998, he had 52 tackles.

UW-Stout, the 2000 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference champion, landed seven players on the All-WIAC First Team, while UW-River Falls had six players named to the 28-member squad, which was recently selected by conference coaches. UW-Stout’s Jeff Hazuga was selected the WIAC Player of the Year, while his coach, Ed Meierkort, was named the George Chryst Coach of the Year.

UW-Stout, which won its first conference title since 1965, landed four players on the First Team Defense. The Blue Devil defense ranked first in the WIAC in yards (251.0/g), scoring (15.1), rushing (56.7/g) and turnover margin (2.30/g). The Blue Devils will be making their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff appearance on Saturday, Nov. 18 against St. John’s (Minn.). Leading the tenacious Blue Devil defense is senior defensive lineman Jeff Hazuga, who was named the WIAC Player of the Year. He is the first Blue Devil to win the honor since 1980 when Tom Paulus won the award. Hazuga, a unanimous selection to the First Team, leads the WIAC in tackles for loss (24-120 yards) and sacks (11.5). He also has three fumble recoveries on the season.

Joining Hazuga on the First Team Defense were Tony Beckham, Steve Miller and Eric Lund. Beckham, a senior defensive back, was a unanimous selection and has totaled 35 tackles, 11 pass break-ups and one interception. Miller, a senior linebacker, is second on the team with 66 tackles and has added 11 tackles for loss, four fumble recoveries, three interceptions and 3.5 sacks. He was an All-WIAC Honorable Mention selection last season. Lund, a senior linebacker, currently has 46 tackles, ten tackles for loss, three interceptions, three pass break-ups, three fumble recoveries and two sacks. He was an All-WIAC Second Team selection the past two seasons.

The Blue Devils placed three players on the First Team Offense. Kevin McCulley was named to the First Team as kicker and punter. He was a unanimous selection as a kicker. McCulley has averaged 41.8 yards/punt this season, including a school-record 82-yard bomb against UW-River Falls. He is 30-32 on PATs this season and 14-28 on field goals, while averaging 7.2 points/g. McCulley was an All-WIAC First Team selection at kicker and punter last season and was named Football Gazette All-West Region Second Team. Also garnering unanimous selection was senior offensive lineman Jeff Hutter. He was an All-WIAC Second Team selection last season. Freshman Luke Bundgaard joins his senior teammates on the First Team. Bundgaard, a running back, has averaged 123.8 yards/g rushing this season, while adding 11 touchdowns and 79 receiving yards.

UW-River Falls had four players named to the offensive squad and two players named to the defensive squad. Cory Mueller, Mark Sheperdson and Andrew Kruger spearheaded an offense that established a new school season rushing record with 403.4 yards/g. The Falcons have led the NCAA Division III in rushing six times since 1986 and have led the WIAC in rushing in conference games since 1973. Mueller, a senior quarterback, led the WIAC in passing efficiency (169.2), while ranking eighth in total offense (128.6/g) and ninth in rushing (65.9/g). Sheperdson, a senior running back, ranked fifth in the WIAC in scoring (7.2/g), eighth in rushing (67.7/g) and ninth in all-purpose yards (81.5/g). Kruger, a senior fullback, ranked fifth in the WIAC in rushing (75.3/g) and ninth in scoring (4.8/g). Mike Snowberry, a senior center, also garnered First Team honors for the Falcons.

Defensively, Brian Katlack and Brett Kohler were named to the First Team for the Falcons. Katlack, a senior defensive back, finished second on the team in tackles with 62 and added two tackles for loss and one interception. He was named All-WIAC Honorable Mention in 1998. Kohler, a junior defensive lineman, finished the season with 25 tackles, four tackles for loss and .5 sacks.

UW-La Crosse, which recorded a winning season for the 30th time in the last 31 years, landed five players on the First Team. Offensively, the Eagles were led by senior tight end Jeff Kostrewa, who ranked fourth in the WIAC in receiving yards (62.8/g) and fifth in receptions (4.2/g), while racking up a team-leading 628 receiving yards and five touchdown receptions. Kostrewa was an All-WIAC Second Team selection last season. Joining Kostrewa on the First Team was senior wide receiver Nick Wagner. In only six games this season due to a season-ending injury, Wagner totaled 31 receptions for 305 yards and three touchdowns. He was named All-WIAC First Team last season.

Defensively for the Eagles, Colin Peterson, Brian Portilia and Jon Walters were named to the First Team. Walters, a unanimous selection, ranked second in the WIAC in tackles for loss (22) and sacks (9), while adding 51 tackles. The senior defensive lineman was named All-WIAC Second Team last season. Portilia, a junior defensive back, led the league in interceptions with nine and added 34 tackles on the season. He tied the school career interception record with 20. Portilia was named All-WIAC First Team and Football Gazette All-West Region Second Team last season. Peterson, a senior linebacker, finished second on the team in tackles with 67.

UW-Whitewater, which posted its 13th non-losing season in 15 years, placed three players on the First Team. Senior Jake Wolter was a unanimous selection at defensive back. Wolter, who was an All-WIAC Second Team selection last season after being named All-WIAC First Team in 1998, was named to the Football Gazette All-West Region First Team last season. He finished second in the WIAC in tackles (10.2/g) and third in interceptions with six. In addition, Wolter owns the school career interception record with 20. Dan Flanagan, a sophomore defensive lineman, finished the season with 39 tackles, five tackles for loss, three sacks and one interception. Jeff Krauss, a sophomore offensive lineman, helped the Warhawks average 190.6 yards/g on the ground this season.

UW-Eau Claire’s Darrell Souhrada, Chad Crutchley and Bob Schmidt were named to the First Team. Darrell Souhrada, a junior running back, broke the school’s single season rushing total with 1,637 yards this season. He led the league in rushing (158.8/g) and all-purpose yards (163.9/g), while finishing second in scoring (8.4/g). The unanimous selection broke an 18-year conference record for most carries in a game with 51 against UW-Platteville. The old mark was 50 carries in 1982 by Bill Schmitz of Eau Claire. Souhrada was named All-WIAC First Team and Football Gazette All-West Region Third Team last season. Crutchley, a sophomore all-purpose back, ranked fourth in the league in punt returns (6.1 yards/g), fifth in kickoff returns (21.1 yards/g), sixth in all-purpose yards (94.2/g) and tenth in receiving yards (44.4/g). Schmidt, a junior offensive lineman, was a unanimous selection and was named All-WIAC Honorable Mention last season.

UW-Stevens Point’s Dillon Maney, Paul Schmit and Paul Steffeck were named to the First Team. Maney, a sophomore linebacker, ranked third in the WIAC in tackles (9.7/g) and snared two interceptions on the season. Schmitt, a junior defensive lineman, recorded 49 tackles, 12 tackles for losses of 48 yards and four sacks. Steffeck, a junior offensive lineman, was an All-WIAC Honorable Mention selection last season.

Troy Gagner represented UW-Platteville on the First Team as a wide receiver. Gagner, a senior, set the school record for receiving yards in a season with 887. He led the WIAC in receiving yards (88.7/g) and receptions (5.4/g), while ranking seventh in all-purpose yards (91.6/g) and ninth in scoring (4.2/g). Gagner also had seven touchdown receptions on the season.

Named to the Second Team Offense were: UW-Eau Claire’s Marshall Disrude (Sr., C, Milton) and Jerod Wollan (Sr., WR, River Falls); UW-La Crosse’s Luke DesJarlais (Sr., Punter, Menasha), Dustin Dunaway (Sr., OL, Appleton/East), Jedediah Jenson (Fr., Kicker, Madison/La Follette), Andrew Mocadlo (Fr., RB, Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln), Barry Oertel (Sr., OL, Waukesha/Wisconsin Lutheran), Jeremy Unertl (Jr., All-Purpose, Theresa/Lomira) and Andrew Youngbauer (Sr., QB, Berlin); UW-Oshkosh’s Mike Vielehr (Sr., WR, Schaumburg, Ill.); UW-River Falls’ Nick Scribner (Sr., RB, Clayton/Prairie Farm); UW-Stout’s Eric Baker (Jr., FB, Sarona/Spooner) and Derek Branch (Sr., OL, New Brighton, Minn./Mounds View); UW-Whitewater’s Chris Korff (Sr., TE, Sheboygan Falls), Steve Tenhagen (Jr., WR, Burlington) and Chad Wurth (Fr., RB, Monona/Monona Grove).

Named to the Second Team Defense were: UW-Eau Claire’s Brad Gawronski (So., LB, Reedsburg/Webb) and Jay Hoyord (Jr., DB, Scandinavia/Iola-Scandinavia); UW-La Crosse’s Troy Coonen (Sr., DL, Ashwaubenon) and Ben Johnson (Sr., DB, Dodge Center, Minn./Triton); UW-Oshkosh’s Keith Kamps (Jr., DB, Crivitz), Rick Lewandowski (Jr., DL, Milwaukee/Madison) and Louis Singleton (Sr., LB, Vallejo, Calif./Hogan); UW-River Falls’ Nick Basham (Jr., DL, Osceola) and Mike Hayward (Jr., LB, Rochester, Minn./Mayo), UW-Stout’s Eric Moe (So., DB, Hixton/Whitehall), Chad Reichelt (Sr., DL, Appleton/Fox Valley Lutheran) and Jamie Spielman (So., LB, Menomonie); and UW-Whitewater’s Peter Katz (Jr., DL, Manitowoc/Roncalli).

UW-Oshkosh took control of the contest against its first-time opponent early, scoring on running back Matt Kaufman's four-yard touchdown run just 2:53 into the contest. The Titans concluded the first quarter with a 23-0 advantage after getting a four-yard touchdown run from running back Mike Scovronski (6:20 left), a safety following a blocked punt (4:12 left) and a 59-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alan Beversdorf to split end Shannon King (2:33 left). UW-Oshkosh had eight first downs and 169 yards of offense in the opening period.

The Titans (3-7) continued their assault in the second quarter, scoring on a 62-yard touchdown run by Beversdorf and a 20-yard touchdown pass from Beversdorf to split end Chris Samz. UW-Oshkosh held the Cougars (0-11) without a first down and just 15 yards of offense in the second quarter.

UW-Oshkosh tallied 17 points in the second half, reaching the end zone on a two-yard touchdown run by Scovronski in the third quarter and by a 39-yard touchdown pass from Beversdorf to tight end Justin Penio in the fourth quarter. The Titans closed the scoring with a 31-yard field goal by placekicker Davie Gaulke in the fourth quarter.

En route to recording its first shutout since the second game of the 1996 season, UW-Oshkosh totaled 432 yards of offense and 20 first downs. TheTitans gained 281 yards on the ground, with Kaufman gaining a career-best 103, Scovronski 76 and Beversdorf 62. In the air, Beversdorf completed eight of 13 passes for 151 yards and three touchdowns.

Defensively, UW-Oshkosh had its best performance of the season in handing the University of Minnesota-Morris its 22nd straight setback. The Cougars were held to just four first downs and only 60 yards of offense, none of which were in the air. It was the fewest yards allowed by UW-Oshkosh since Mount Senario College was held to 34 in the 1988 season opener. Linebacker Ryan Thompson led the defensive charge by recording 10 tackles, including two for a loss. Defensive back Don Ryan chipped in to holding the University of Minnesota-Morris without a third down conversion (0-12) by interceptiing two passes.

UW-Stout broke open a 7-7 tie by outscoring UW-Oshkosh, 30-7, during a 31-minute span of the contest. The Titans cut the deficit to 24-14 on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Mike Scovronski with 3:07 left in the third quarter, but UW-Stout immediately countered as defensive back Tony Beckham returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a score.

In addition to Scovronski's score, UW-Oshkosh also received touchdowns from split end Shannon King on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Alan Beversdorf and from split end Kris Johnson on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Shawn Barth.

UW-Oshkosh was held to 267 yards of offense by the Blue Devils, including just 39 on the ground. Beversdorf completed 14 of 42 passes for 267 yards, but was picked off three times. Split end Jeremy James led the Titans with seven pass receptions for 64 yards, while split end Mike Vielehr caught five passes for 43 yards.

Defensively, UW-Oshkosh was spirited by linebackers Ryan Thompson and Lucas Jachthuber and free safety Keith Kamps. Thompson compiled 15 tackles in the game, while Jachthuber and Kamps had 14 each. Kamps also recorded a pass interception, his sixth of the season.

UW-Platteville, which entered the contest having scored only two touchdowns in its last four games, rallied from a 10-7 halftime deficit to take a 28-10 lead with 5:59 remaining in the contest.  UW-Oshkosh stormed back in the closing minutes as split end Shannon King returned a kickoff 94 yards for a touchdown and split end Mike Vielehr caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Alan Beversdorf.

UW-Oshkosh took a 10-7 advantage on a 39-yard field goal by David Gaulke and a 10-yard touchdown return of a blocked punt by Ryan Lemke.  It was the Titans' third blocked punt in the last two games.

UW-Platteville, which snapped a four-game losing streak with the win, took contol in the second half by scoring on 23 and 58-yard touchdown passes from quarterback Tom Stetzer to split end Troy Gagner and a 10-yard touchdown scamper by running back Michael Hudson.

UW-Platteville totaled 488 yards of offense, with 399 coming via the arms of Stetzer (281) and quarterback Aaron Mack (118).  Gagner caught eight passes for 162 yards and two third quarter scores.  UW-Oshkosh had 373 yards in offense in the loss, with Beversdorf tossing for 259 yards.

Down 21-7 at haltfime, UW-Oshkosh cut the deficit to 21-19 in the third quarter by recovering two of its own kickoffs and blocking a punt. UW-Whitewater, which also had another punt blocked in the first quarter, ended UW-Oshkosh drives in the fourth quarter by recovering a fumble and intercepting a pass at the Warhawks' 1 and 12-yard lines, respectively. Most importantly, however, was Flanagan's blocked kick in the fourth quarter, a play that secured the Warhawks' 11th straight win over the Titans. UW-Whitewater took the halftime advantage by limiting UW-Oshkosh to just five plays, 13 yards of offense and 1:59 in time of possession in the second quarter.

UW-Whitewater operated 76 plays in the contest, 20 more than UW-Oshkosh, and gained 327 offensive yards. Running back Chad Wurth, the 21st-leading rusher in the NCAA Division III, accounted for 133 yards and two touchdowns by carrying the pigskin 30 times. Quarterback Alan Beversdorf accounted for 213 of the Titans' 270 offensive yards by completing 19 of 29 passes for three scores. Split ends Mike Vielehr caught seven passes for 68 yards and one touchdown and Justin May five for 93 yards to lead all UW-Oshkosh pass receievers. Defensively, the Titans were led by linebacker Ryan Thompson, who totaled 12 tackles, including seven solo.

UW-Oshkosh falls to 2-3 (1-2 in the WIAC ) with the loss, while UW-Whitewater goes to 4-2 (2-1 in the WIAC).

James' touchdown provided the only points of the fourth quarter as UW-Oshkosh snapped a 16-game losing streak against the Pointers for its first win in the series since 1983. The 38 points by the Titans were the most they've scored in the series since 1969.

The game featured plenty of offense as the teams combined for 821 yards, including 450 by UW-Oshkosh and 355 yards passing by Titans' quarterback Alan Beversdorf. UW-Stevens Point had 301 yards through the air and fell to 0-4 for the first time since 1975. The Pointers are in the midst of a five-game losing streak -- also the longest since 1975.

UW-Oshkosh's Mike Vielehr led the offensive attack with eight catches for 191 yards, including a 42-yard touchdown early in the second half that gave the Titans a 31-21 lead. UW-Stevens Point rallied on a Jason Steuck field goal with 1:44 left in the third quarter and, one minute later, Jonah Roth returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown to tie the game 31-31.

The Pointers had two possessions after the Titans' eventual game-winning score, but both of UW-Stevens Point's starting wide receivers, Chad Valentyne and Tony Romano, were out of the game with injuries and the Pointers failed to move the ball.

The second half belonged to the Blugolds and Souhrada after the teams played to a 13-13 tie in the first half. Souhrada ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

The Blugold (2-1) defense controlled UW-Oshkosh (1-2) in the second half, holding the Titans to 95 yards. Linebacker Brian Gawronski who had seven tackles, recorded two quarterback sacks on the game. Cornerback Jay Hoyord made 11 tackles to lead the team.

The Titans managed to score first with Chad Lindsley catching a 10-yard pass on the first play following a Blugold fumble. However, it didn't take the Blugolds long to answer. On their next possession, they put together a 67-yard drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Souhrada. The extra point attempt failed, leaving the Blugolds down by one. The Titans answered themselves, but it would be the last time. Shannon King scored on a 16-yard pass from Alan Beversdorf. Blugold Mike Lansing blocked the extra point attempt, leaving the Titans with a 13-6 lead. There were only five seconds left in the half when Chad Crutchley caught a 27-yard pass from Brian Rasmussen for a Blugold touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and the half ended with a deadlock.

Rasmussen completed 16 of 31 pass attempts for 210 yards and one touchdown pass. His favorite target of the afternoon seemed to be Jason Foemmel who caught six passes for 98 yards. The Titans' King led all receivers with 151 yards on nine catches and one touchdown. Beversdorf was 18 of 33 with two touchdowns and 234 yards.

UW-River Falls (1-1) scored three touchdowns on the ground and another two in the air.  The Falcons opened the scoring with 4:18 left in the first quarter on a 21-yard pass from quarterback Cory Mueller to split end Scott Kusilek.  The duo also hooked up on a 36-yard score with 57 seconds left in the second quarter.  UW-River Falls also got rushing touchdowns of one and four yards from Andrew Kruger and 13 yards from Mark Shepherdson.

UW-River Falls ran its wishbone offense to perfection, rolling up 341 yards in 60 rushing attempts.  The Falcons also added 104 yards via the air.  UW-Oshkosh (1-1), which turned the football over four times in UW-River Falls territory, totaled 197 yards of offense.  Another key stat was third down conversions, where UW-River Falls was 9-for-16 and UW-Oshkosh just 2-for-15.

Offensively, the Titans were led by running back Mike Scovronski who gained 70 yards rushing in ten attempts. Defensively, free safety Keith Kamps totaled 12 tackles, including five solos.

UW-Oshkosh cruised to its 20th consecutive season-opening victory by displaying a potent offense and a stifling defense.  The Titans generated 364 yards in 82 offensive plays, with 242 coming via the arm of junior quarterback Alan Beversdorf and 88 contributing from the legs of senior running back Mike Scovronski.  Beversdorf completed 16 of 31 passes, including touchdown strikes of 13 yards to senior split end Mike Vielehr in the first quarter, 40 and 11 yards to senior split end Shannon King in the second quarter and two yards to senior tight end Matthew Welch in the third quarter.  The Titans led 24-7 at halftime.

Defensively, UW-Oshkosh held Southwest State University to 112 yards in 46 offensive plays while forcing six turnovers.  The Mustangs, who totaled only five first downs in the game, were held to a minus-16 yards rushing in 21 attempts.  The last time UW-Oshkosh held a team to negative rushing yards was in 1988 when the Titans limited Mount Senario College to minus-15 in 36 attempts.

Positive yards were gained for Southwest State University in the passing game, where junior signal-caller Tyler Engquist completed eight of 25 passes for 128 yards, including a 76-yard touchdown toss to junior split end Jon Howard in the second quarter.  Spiriting the Titans' defense was senior linebacker Louis Singleton, who totaled four solo tackles, including a pair of quarterback sacks.

Friday night's contest, the first between the schools, kicked off the 106th season of football at UW-Oshkosh and raised the Titans' all-time ledger to 340-430-45.