Titans Visit Defending NAIA Champion Knights

A pair of top-10 football teams from different national organizations meet when UW-Oshkosh travels to Marian University (Ind.) on Saturday (Sept. 14). Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. (ET) at St. Vincent Field in Indianapolis.

The Titans (1-0) are ranked 10th in the NCAA Division III, while the Knights (1-1) list second in the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Top 25. Marian University won the 2012 NAIA Championship with a 12-1 record.

The Knights are coming off a 31-24 overtime loss to fourth-ranked Saint Xavier University (Ill.). Marian University recorded a 23-0 win over Kentucky Christian University in its season opener.

Tevin Lake has led the Marian University offense so far with 200 yards and four touchdowns rushing. The passing game goes through quarterback Joey Hecklinski (364 yards) and receiver Anthony Jones Jr. (177 yards). On defense, linebacker Ryan Hartnett tops the squad with 12 tackles and two sacks.

UW-Oshkosh stormed back from a 17-point deficit in last week's 24-20 victory at Central College (Iowa). Nick Olla threw for 325 yards in his first career start, while Cory Wipperfurth had two catches of 56+ yards. The Titans also stepped up on defense, with Austin Blashka intercepting two passes and Dexter Charles registering 1.5 sacks.

A total of 44 lettermen and 12 starters return from a UW-Oshkosh team that reached the semifinals of the 2012 NCAA Division III Championship. UW-Oshkosh started 13-0 and captured a WIAC title on the way to its first playoff appearance.

This is the first meeting between the two schools. UW-Oshkosh's last NAIA opponent was Ohio Dominican University in 2009.

By Jon Feyen, UW-Oshkosh Sports Information