Titans' First-Half Explosion Overwhelms Dutch
UW-Oshkosh scored six first-half touchdowns en route to a 47-28 football victory over Central College (Iowa) on Saturday (Sept. 1) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. It was the Titans' 29th win in their last 32 season openers.
During the first quarter, UW-Oshkosh (1-0) reached the end zone on its opening four possessions. The Titans then extended their lead to 41-0 with touchdown drives of 90 and 81 yards in the second period. Central College (0-1), which had won 25 of its last 31 games, tallied the contest's final 28 points.
UW-Oshkosh's defense forced five punts and one turnover during Central College's first six drives. After a three-and-out, Nate Wara (Sr. • Oshkosh) led the offense down the field. He converted a fourth down with a 12-yard pass to Caleb Voss (Jr. • Van Dyne). Jake Dostalek (Jr. • Waterford) then gave the Titans a 7-0 lead with his one-yard touchdown run.
The Titans forced a fumble on the next possession. Wara then scanned the field and connected with Voss on a post pattern for the 22-yard score. With 3:35 to play in the first quarter, Wara ran over a defender at the goal line for an 11-yard touchdown that made it 21-0.
On their sixth drive, the Dutch finally earned a first down. They ended up punting back to UW-Oshkosh, which used a 36-yard run from Cole Myhra (Jr. • Menomonee Falls) and a 28-yard catch and run from Zach Kasuboski (So. • Wautoma). Voss capped the scoring march with a 13-yard touchdown grab over the middle.
Ethan Steinhoff (So. • Belmont) took a swing pass and walked into the end zone from seven yards out to give UW-Oshkosh a 34-0 advantage. Following a 44-yard reception from Voss and a 29-yard carry from Mitch Hintz (Jr. • Kimberly), Wara ran a bootleg to the pylon for his one-yard touchdown run.
Nick Olla caught a 20-yard touchdown pass three minutes into the third quarter to make it 47-0. Wara left the game at that point with 275 yards and four touchdowns passing and 118 yards and two scores rushing. He completed 24-of-34 passes and carried the football 14 times.
Central College got on the board with touchdown runs of seven and two yards by Jack Flaherty. The Dutch then scored on a 12-yard rush by Aaron Eiseler and a two-yard scamper by De'Andre Currie in the game's final eight minutes.
UW-Oshkosh's 33 first downs tied a school record. The Titans also posted a 644-386 margin in total yards. Central College ranked seventh in the NCAA Division III last year by allowing 80 rushing yards per game, but gave up 346 to UW-Oshkosh today.
The Dutch, who converted 6-of-15 third downs, used 123 passing yards from Eiseler and 119 from Flaherty. Eiseler led the team with 60 rushing yards on 10 carries, while Blaine Forsythe marked 59 yards on three catches.
Myhra was the second Titan to run past the century mark, totaling 104 yards on 13 attempts. Voss compiled 137 yards and two touchdowns on his eight receptions, while Kasuboski added 74 yards on six grabs.
Jason Breon led Central College with 10 tackles and one forced fumble. UW-Oshkosh's defense was highlighted by six tackles from Beau Steffens (So. • Waterford) and interceptions by Tim Filter (Sr. • New Berlin) and Frank Martin (Sr. • Greenleaf).
The Titans have a bye next week before facing UW-La Crosse in a non-conference game at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium on Sept. 15.