Titans Welcome Pioneers For Homecoming Showdown

Titans Welcome Pioneers For Homecoming Showdown

A pair of top-20 football teams collide when UW-Oshkosh and UW-Platteville take the field on Saturday (Oct. 13) in Oshkosh. Kickoff for the Titans' homecoming contest is 1:30 p.m. at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Platteville, ranked 14th in the NCAA Division III by the American Football Coaches Association, brings a 4-1 record (1-1 WIAC) into the game. The Pioneers' lone defeat is a 27-26 decision to fifth-ranked and defending national champion UW-Whitewater on Sept. 29.

UW-Oshkosh ranks 16th in the country while owning a 5-0 record (2-0 WIAC). The Titans have won their last seven contests, including a conference victory of 50-13 over UW-Eau Claire last Saturday (Oct. 6).

UW-Platteville averages 359 passing yards and 45 points per game to rank third and seventh in the NCAA Division III, respectively. Last week in a 40-10 victory at UW-La Crosse, quarterback Bryce Corrigan made his second career start and completed 37-of-43 passes for 412 yards and three touchdowns. He was named the NCAA Division III Offensive Player of the Week for the performance.

Receivers Ryley Bailey and Trevor Whitehead are the Pioneers' top weapons. Bailey has 37 catches for 499 yards and six touchdowns, while Whitehead owns 27 grabs for 425 yards. Tailback Lee Vlasak has rushed for 152 yards while totaling a conference-best seven scores. On defense, safety Ryan McWethy leads UW-Platteville with 48 tackles.

Since the Pioneers throw on 60 percent of their snaps, protection will be important. UW-Platteville has allowed just one sack this season, the lowest total in the country. UW-Oshkosh's defense, however, leads the WIAC with 17 sacks.

UW-Platteville has scored a touchdown on its opening drive of each game this season. Meanwhile, UW-Oshkosh has not allowed a point in the first quarter. The Titans boast the nation's eighth-ranked defense at 227 yards per game. Linebacker Taylor Goodman (Sr. • South Wayne) tops the unit with 33 tackles and three forced fumbles.

UW-Oshkosh's offense has scored 35-plus points five times during its winning streak. This year, the Titans rank fourth in the country with 317 rushing yards per game. Running back Cole Myhra (Jr. • Menomonee Falls) has totaled 472 yards on the ground, while quarterback Nate Wara (Sr. • Oshkosh) owns 465.

Wara, who will start his 36th consecutive game, has completed 64 percent (87-136) of his passes for 1,075 yards and seven touchdowns. Zach Kasuboski (So. • Wautoma) and Caleb Voss (Jr • Van Dyne) have caught 24 passes each to lead the Titans. UW-Oshkosh has lost the football just once this season in posting a +8 turnover margin.

Last season, the Titans earned a 24-3 victory at Platteville for their sixth win in the past eight meetings. UW-Platteville owns a slight lead in the series at 47-45-4. The Pioneers are UW-Oshkosh's homecoming opponent for the fourth time in their last five trips to Oshkosh.