Titans To Play A School-Record Seven Home Games In 2003

With a school-record seven home games mentioned on its 2003 schedule, the UW-Oshkosh football team looks to improve its won-lost ledger for the third consecutive season.

And, if the previous high-water mark for home games in a season is any indication, UW-Oshkosh will not only improve its won-lost record, but also challenge for its first winning campaign since 1988.

UW-Oshkosh's previous record for home games in a season was six, a mark counted four times. The Titans used those six home games to help produce a 5-4-1 record in 1988, a 6-5 ranking in 1987, a 4-5-1 standing in 1985 and an 8-2 mark and a WIAC championship in 1972.

UW-Oshkosh's 10-game agenda in 2003, which also includes a school-record four straight home games, was partially designed by fourth-year head coach Phil Meyer to help raise the confidence level of his players. During Meyer's first-three seasons at the helm, UW-Oshkosh played a total of 13 home games, but the last two of the 2002 season may be the most memorable as they resulted in last-second victories of 35-31 over UW-Platteville and 21-20 over UW-Whitewater.

UW-Oshkosh, 4-6 in 2002, ushers in its 109th football season with a flourish of home games, beginning with non-conference contests against Upper Iowa University, Concordia University and Lakeland College and concluding with a WIAC encounter against UW-Stout. Upper Iowa University of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) is making its debut on UW-Oshkosh's schedule, while Concordia University and Lakeland College, both of the Illini-Badger Conference (IBC), are second-time opponents.

UW-Oshkosh's 2003 season kicks off on Sept. 6 when Upper Iowa University visits Titan Stadium under the guidance of first-year head coach Courtney Messingham. Upper Iowa University officially becomes a NCAA Division II provisional member on Sept. 1, thus, ending 82 years as a charter member of the NCAA Division III IIAC. The Peacocks, 2-8 a year ago will play their regular IIAC schedule in 2003, but will not compete for the league championship due to the NCAA Division II status of the school's athletics teams. UW-Oshkosh has won 20 of its last 22 season openers, with setbacks in 2001 and 2002 coming to Wartburg College of the IIAC.

With their 2003 baptismal behind them, the Titans remain at home on subsequent Saturdays to host Concordia University on Sept. 13 and Lakeland College on Sept. 20. Last year, UW-Oshkosh defeated Concordia University, 35-25, and Lakeland College, 33-14. Concordia University posted an 8-2 record last season, while Lakeland College went 6-4.

Following an open date on Sept. 27, UW-Oshkosh closes its rare four-game homestand on Oct. 4 by hosting WIAC pre-season favorite UW-Stout in the league opener for both teams. The Blue Devils not only return all 11 offensive starters from last season, but also six starters from a league-leading defense.

UW-Oshkosh's first excursion of the season is Oct. 11 when the Titans travel to UW-Platteville. That contest is followed by an Oct. 18 contest at defending WIAC champion UW-La Crosse. UW-Oshkosh']s remaining road game of the 2003 season is Nov. 8 at UW-Whitewater.

UW-Oshkosh's Homecoming opponent on Oct. 25 is popular enemy UW-Stevens Point. The contest will be the 101st between the two combatants, with UW-Stevens Point holding a 53-39-8 advantage in the all-time series. UW-Stevens Point, the Titans' most common opponent, last appeared as UW-Oshkosh]s Homecoming opponent in 1989.

Then, down the stretch, the Titans also find themselves with home field advantage as sandwiched around their road contest at UW-Whitewater are home games against UW-River Falls on Nov. 1 and UW-Eau Claire in the season finale on Nov. 15.

With exception of the Titans' Sept. 20 game against Lakeland College, which has a 6 p.m. start, every UW-Oshkosh home football game begins at 1 p.m.