Titans Ranked Second In National Football Magazines
As preseason rankings and predictions for this fall continue to be released, the UW-Oshkosh football team still remains the recipient of several high grades from national websites and publications.
Two major college football magazines, Lindy's Sports and Street & Smith's, ranked UW-Oshkosh second in their national preseason rankings for the 2018 season. The Titans were ranked fifth in last year's preseason listings by Street & Smith's and 14th by Lindy's Sports.
UW-Oshkosh returns eight defensive and six offensive starters from last year's team that captured its second WIAC title in three seasons and 10th overall. The Titans won all seven of their conference contests a year ago while compiling a 12-1 overall record and advancing to the semifinal round of the NCAA Division III Championship for the second straight season.
UW-Oshkosh finished the 2017 season ranked third in the country after suffering a 43-40 semifinal round loss to eventual NCAA champion University of Mount Union (Ohio). The Titans tallied a 13-2 record in 2016, including a 10-7 loss to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) in the national championship game.
UW-Oshkosh established a school record with 36 touchdown passes last season while listing second in the nation in passing efficiency rating (189.11), tackles for loss allowed per game (3.69) and kickoff return average (26.56). UW-Oshkosh also ranked seventh nationally in first downs (302) and 10th in both scoring (41.8) and interceptions gained (21).
The Lindy's Sports top 10 teams featured University of Mount Union (15-0 record in 2017) ranking first, University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (14-1) third, The College at Brockport (N.Y.) (13-1) fourth, Saint John's University (Minn.) (9-2) fifth, University of St. Thomas (Minn.) (11-2) sixth, Springfield College (Mass.) (10-1) seventh, Trine University (Ind.) (11-1) eighth, Muhlenberg College (Pa.) (8-3) ninth and Wesley College (Del.) (10-2) 10th.
Street & Smith's top 10 squads were top-ranked University of Mount Union, third-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor, fourth-ranked University of St. Thomas, fifth-ranked Linfield College (Ore.) (9-2), sixth-ranked UW-Whitewater (7-3), eighth-ranked North Central College (Ill.) (10-2), ninth-ranked Wesley College and 10th-ranked Washington & Jefferson College (Pa.) (11-1).
UW-Oshkosh was also represented in the two publication's preseason All-America teams.
Senior offensive guard Tyler Powers and senior linebacker Derrick Jennings Jr. received preseason All-America First Team recognition from Lindy's Sports while Powers collected a preseason All-America First Team accolade from Street & Smith's.
Powers, a 2017 D3football.com All-America First Team selection, helped UW-Oshkosh lead the WIAC in per-game averages of 41.8 points, 484.5 total yards, 239.8 rushing yards and 189.1 passing efficiency rating a year ago.
Jennings Jr. also received D3football.com All-America First Team honors in 2017 after producing a WIAC-best five pass interceptions with 64 tackles, 9.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 quarterback sacks.
UW-Oshkosh senior wide receiver Dom Todarello, last year's WIAC Special Teams Player of the Year, returns as well. Todarello returned 31 kickoffs for 820 yards (98-yard touchdown vs. UW-River Falls) and nine punts for 126 yards (61-yard touchdown vs. Virginia University of Lynchburg) in 2017. Todarello, who was a third team return specialist on last year's D3football.com All-America squad, finished the 2017 season with 32 receptions for 419 yards and eight touchdowns.
In all, 12th-year UW-Oshkosh head football coach Pat Cerroni (89-35 record) welcomes back 48 of his 69 letter winners from last year's squad.
UW-Oshkosh begins its 124th season at Carthage College (7-3) on Sept. 1. The Titans follow with four more road games, including an Oct. 6 contest at UW-Whitewater, before hosting UW-Platteville in their home opener on Oct. 13.