Football Article

The UW-Oshkosh Titans lost their fifth and final game of the season Saturday as they fell to UW-Lacrosse 31-20. Had the Titans won, it would’ve have marked the first time since the 1968-69 seasons that the team finished over .500 in consecutive years.

The Lacrosse defense proved to be too much to handle for the Titans, allowing them only 224 total offensive yards. The Titans rushing game, which averages 197 yards par game, was held to 140 yards by the Eagles. Both the running and passing games for Lacrosse excelled, earning them two touchdowns each.

The first quarter started slow for Oshkosh as three of their first four offensive drives ended with a three and out. Even with the defense forcing Lacrosse to put the ball on the ground twice in the first quarter, the Titans could still not convert.

The only touchdown for the Titans in the first half came off a 23-yard reception from backup quarterback Dieter Juedes to junior Andy Heiman in the second quarter. However, even with a longer possession time then their opponents the Titans could not offensively match UW-Lacrosse and punted five times in the first half alone.

“We did a great job just to survive the first half,” Oshkosh Defensive Coordinator Pat Cerroni said. “ It could’ve gotten really ugly.”

UW-Lacrosse scored twice in the first half. A 4-yard run from fullback Mike Schmidt and a 25-yard pass from quarterback John Schumann to Jason Wagner. The eagles looked very poised and played extremely aggressive going to the air multiple times throughout the game.

“Lacrosse has the best quarterbacks and receivers as a core,” Cerroni said. “ In a game like this you’re going to give up yards.”

Cerroni was right as the Titans gave up 401 yards to the Eagles. The Titan defense, on average, has held their opponents to under 300 yards per game this season. The cornerbacks for the Titans seemed to struggle all day long against Schumann and could never really find a way to stop the Eagles passing game.

The Titans refusal to pass the ball against the stifling Eagles defense garnered them only 7 first half points. If the Titans were going to win the game they would have to abandon their 1st ranked running game and look toward the air. However, the second half showed the Titans only doing more of the same and resting their hopes on the shoulders of there running backs.

The third quarter saw both teams doubling their points with the score being 28-14 at the periods end. Touchdowns for Lacrosse came in the form of a 24-yard reception by Scott Swanson and an 8 yard run by tailback Cory Geldernick. Oshkosh could only answer with a 1-run yard by fullback Tyler Jandrin.

All the Eagles could come up with in the 4th quarter was a Dylan Rude 33-yard field goal, but it would prove to be enough with only one 2-yard touchdown run coming from the Titans Andy Moriarty. The score by Moriarty came off of a blocked punt by the Titans special teams, and with the score being 28-20 the game seemed far from over with 12:30 left to go in the 4th.
However, it was not meant to be as Juedes threw in interception to cornerback Jacob Buswell putting an end to the Titan’s season.

While the Titans finished 5-5, their record may not be indicative of their talent. Two of UW-Oshkosh’s losses were by a touchdown or less, and despite the loss on Saturday, the titans are excited about the possibilities next season offers.

“We have 36 juniors returning next year,” Cerroni said. “Next years seniors are some pretty talented individuals.”

Titans linebacker Eric Stenbroten also realizes the potential of next year's team but knows that there is still room for improvement.

“We have to concentrate and not getting all hyped up right away,” Stenbroten said. “We have to stop the big plays.”

With the win on Saturday UW-Lacrosse gained a division three playoff birth and will face Bethel University on November 18.

“A championship team like that always take advantages of mistakes.” Cerroni said. “They definitely took advantage of ours.”