Titans Dominate Blugolds Right From The Start

Nick Olla connected with Caleb Voss for four touchdowns during UW-Oshkosh's 42-14 victory at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Nov. 9).

The Titans (8-1/5-1 WIAC), ranked eighth in the NCAA Division III, wrap up the regular season next Saturday (Nov. 16) at home against 11th-ranked UW-Platteville (8-1/5-1 WIAC).

UW-Oshkosh bolted to a 35-0 lead by halftime and never looked back. Voss totaled five catches for 101 yards while reaching the end zone four times. He upped his career receiving total to 2,583 yards, which ranks second in school history.

On the game's opening kickoff, Luke Guenther set up the Titans with a 35-yard return. UW-Oshkosh then faced a 4th-and-10, and Olla found Voss down the left sideline for 26 yards. Two plays later, Voss grabbed an eight-yard score over the middle to put the Titans ahead 7-0.

The Blugolds (1-8/1-5 WIAC) fumbled on their first possession, giving the Titans the ball 35 yards from the end zone. Voss ran a seam route and hauled in the 28-yard touchdown to put UW-Oshkosh up, 14-0, after just 4:31 of play.

The Titans' next series covered 90 yards over 13 plays. Cole Myhra rushed seven times for 60 yards on the drive, including a 23-yard touchdown up the middle. Myhra totaled 156 yards on the day, going over 3,000 rushing yards for his career.

Early in the second quarter, Myhra made it 28-0 with a one-yard touchdown run. That drive was set up by Guenther's interception at the UW-Eau Claire 31-yard line.

The Titans struck once more before halftime. Myhra started things with a 13-yard run before Joe Sommers caught a pass for 18. Facing third down, Olla fired a 25-yard touchdown to Voss down the sideline for a 35-0 advantage.

UW-Oshkosh allowed just one first down and 28 total yards during the first half. The Blugolds punted five times and committed turnovers on their other two possessions.

The Titan defense forced three straight punts during the third quarter. With UW-Oshkosh starting at the Blugolds' 44-yard line, Zach Kasuboski ran around the outside for 15 yards. Olla then tossed a 14-yard pass just over a defender and into the hands of Voss for his career-high fourth touchdown.

During the fourth quarter, Joel Sweeney rushed five times for 108 yards. His 42-yard run set up a seven-yard touchdown catch by Drew Davis that put the Blugolds on the scoreboard.

Sweeney went the distance on a 50-yard score midway through the final quarter. He finished with 17 carries for 123 yards, while Nick Hirsch led the UW-Eau Claire receivers with five catches for 28 yards. Joel Newman obtained just 94 yards on 17-of-31 passing.

UW-Oshkosh outgained the Blugolds, 410-210. The Titans amassed 264 yards on the ground, including 43 from Ethan Steinhoff and 26 by Olla. In the passing game, Olla completed 10-of-13 attempts for 130 yards.

Cody Taubman topped all players with 14 tackles. Austin Blashka paced the Titans with seven stops, including five solo.

This is the fifth time in program history that UW-Oshkosh reached eight victories. The Titans have won 11 straight WIAC road games dating back to 2010.

By Jon Feyen

Photo by Chico La Barbera