Titans Dealt Setback By UW-Stout

UW-Stout clinched its first WIAC football title in 35 years on Saturday (Oct. 28) by defeating UW-Oshkosh, 37-21, in Menomonie. The Blue Devils, who also secured their first-ever NCAA Division III playoff berth with the victory, remained undefeated with an 8-0 overall record and a 6-0 mark in the WIAC. UW-La Crosse, UW-Oshkosh's next opponent, trails UW-Stout by one game in the conference standings with one league game remaining.

UW-Stout broke open a 7-7 tie by outscoring UW-Oshkosh, 30-7, during a 31-minute span of the contest. The Titans cut the deficit to 24-14 on a one-yard touchdown run by running back Mike Scovronski with 3:07 left in the third quarter, but UW-Stout immediately countered as defensive back Tony Beckham returned the ensuing kickoff 85 yards for a score.

In addition to Scovronski's score, UW-Oshkosh also received touchdowns from split end Shannon King on an 18-yard pass from quarterback Alan Beversdorf and from split end Kris Johnson on a 13-yard pass from quarterback Shawn Barth.

UW-Oshkosh was held to 267 yards of offense by the Blue Devils, including just 39 on the ground. Beversdorf completed 14 of 42 passes for 267 yards, but was picked off three times. Split end Jeremy James led the Titans with seven pass receptions for 64 yards, while split end Mike Vielehr caught five passes for 43 yards.

Defensively, UW-Oshkosh was spirited by linebackers Ryan Thompson and Lucas Jachthuber and free safety Keith Kamps. Thompson compiled 15 tackles in the game, while Jachthuber and Kamps had 14 each. Kamps also recorded a pass interception, his sixth of the season.