Titans Open WIAC Play With Convincing Victory

Five freshmen had career days as the UW-Oshkosh football team won its fifth straight WIAC opener in a 32-7 victory over UW-Stout on Saturday (Oct. 4) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

UW-Oshkosh freshmen Brett Kasper, Dylan Hecker and Sam Mentkowski led the team in passing, rushing and receiving, respectively. Freshman Beau Ash blocked a punt that led to a score and added his first career rushing touchdown, while freshman Tyler Parker had 67 yards on his first six collegiate carries. Freshmen directly contributed to all four UW-Oshkosh touchdowns and accounted for 161 of the team's 168 rushing yards.

The Titans, who have won 18 of their last 22 conference games, completed 23-of-29 passes for 242 yards and one touchdown. Kasper filled in for an injured Dylann Rauch, who completed all five of his passes before being forced from the game late in the first quarter. Kasper led UW-Oshkosh on all six of its scoring drives and completed 18-of-24 passes for a career-high 192 yards and one touchdown.

Hecker led the Titan rushing attack with a career-high 72 yards on 13 carries, Mentkowski established career highs with nine catches and 74 yards receiving and Ash had career-bests with five carries and 22 yards.

Zach Kasuboski had five receptions for 46 yards, including a 20-yard touchdown pass from Kasper that put the Titans up 22-0 with 4:56 remaining in the third quarter. Joe Sommers caught three passes for 71 yards, including a 40-yard reception midway through the fourth quarter.

The Titans (1-3, 1-0 WIAC) led 15-0 and held a 205-67 advantage in yards at halftime.

UW-Oshkosh ended the game with a season-high 410 yards. UW-Stout (1-3, 0-1 WIAC) gained 248 yards, including 145 passing.

UW-Oshkosh, which played scholarship-granting teams in its first three games, took a 3-0 lead when a 38-yard Nate Ray field goal capped an 11-play drive with 2:55 remaining in the first quarter.

The Titans extended their lead to 9-0 on Ash's blocked punt, which Levi Kossow scooped up and raced for a 13-yard touchdown with 11:01 remaining in the first half.

After the UW-Oshkosh defense forced Blue Devil punts on consecutive drives, the Titans mounted an 11-play, 78-yard drive that culminated in a 15-yard touchdown run by Hecker with under one minute left in the first half.

UW-Stout's Garrett Peterson hooked up with Aaron Jenny on a 37-yard touchdown pass to make the score 22-7 with 1:26 remaining in the third quarter.

The Titans tacked on a 41-yard field by Ray and an 11-yard touchdown run by Ash in the fourth quarter to provide the final score.

Steve Forner led the UW-Oshkosh defense with eight solo tackles. Reese Dziedzic, Brandon Jackson and Branden Lloyd registered sacks for the Titans, while John Eagan and Anthony Fassett recorded interceptions.

Adolfo Pacheco led UW-Stout with 14 carries for 54 yards. Two Blue Devils split time at quarterback. Peterson completed 7-of-16 passes for 104 yards and one touchdown, while starter Aaron Koerner completed 6-of-16 passes for 41 yards. Jenny had four catches for 57 yards and one touchdown.

Luke Bakkum paced the UW-Stout defense with a game-high 13 tackles, including two sacks. Garrett Eide recovered a UW-Oshkosh fumble for the Blue Devils.

UW-Oshkosh travels to UW-La Crosse (1-3, 0-1 WIAC) next Saturday (Oct. 11).