Nationally Ranked Pointers Rally To Edge Titans In Overtime

UW-Stevens Point got 470 yards passing from Jared Beckwith and denied a potential game-winning two-point conversion as it topped UW-Oshkosh, 34-33 in overtime, on Saturday (Nov. 1) in Stevens Point.

The Pointers (7-1/4-1 WIAC), who entered the game ranked 17th in the NCAA Division III by D3football.com, knocked off the Titans in overtime for the third straight meeting in Stevens Point. Mike Ferron broke a 27-27 tie with a seven-yard touchdown run on the second play of the extra period. UW-Oshkosh (3-4/1-4 WIAC) started its drive at the 25-yard line trailing, 34-27. After three running plays, Craig McClelland (So. • Union Grove) found Charlie Weissman (Fr. • Colgate) for a 14-yard touchdown pass. The Titans elected to go for the win instead of a tying extra point, and McClelland's pass attempt fell incomplete.

Jeremy Roach (So. • Deerfield) took off with a 71-yard touchdown reception to extend the UW-Oshkosh lead early in the fourth quarter. James Taraboi's (Jr. • Grafton) extra point try was blocked, keeping the score at 27-13.

The two teams traded interceptions before UW-Stevens Point embarked on a 10-play, 75-yard touchdown drive. Beckwith converted a 4th-and-10 as well as connecting with Jared Jenkins for a 39-yard pass to highlight the drive. The Pointers made it a 27-20 contest when Beckwith scored a one-yard rushing touchdown with 5:02 remaining.

A Titans' punt gave the ball back to UW-Stevens Point at its own 27-yard line with 2:43 on the clock. Eight pass completions moved the Pointers down the field, including 36 yards on three grabs by Jenkins. Following a timeout with 41 seconds to play, Beckwith hit Jack Marx for a five-yard touchdown. The extra point tied the score at 27 and sent the game to overtime.

The contest's finish was just as exciting as the beginning, as Jenkins pulled in a 61-yard touchdown on the second play from scrimmage. The Titans responded later in the first quarter by scoring on a fake field goal. The final play of UW-Oshkosh's 11-snap drive saw Matt Haass (So. • Brownsville) complete a 14-yard touchdown to Weissman on fourth-and-three. Steve Levonowich (Jr. • Kenosha) had a 20-yard run and a 21-yard catch on the drive that tied the score at 7 with 3:25 to go in the first quarter.

UW-Stevens Point added a 44-yard field goal by Ryan Graboski just before halftime to grab a 10-7 lead at the intermission. Following the break, the Titans opened the third period with a bang. Roach took the opening kickoff and sprinted 90 yards untouched to the end zone. UW-Oshkosh added the extra point for a 14-10 advantage just 12 seconds into the half.

On the ensuing kickoff, Kevin Bahl (Jr. • Muskego) recovered a UW-Stevens Point fumble to set the Titans' offense up at the 14-yard line. McClelland completed a pair of passes to Haass, with the second one covering six yards for a touchdown. That score made it a 21-10 UW-Oshkosh lead with 13 minutes left in the third quarter.

Jake Swank caught a 48-yard pass from Beckwith to put UW-Stevens Point in scoring range midway through the third period. A 41-yard field goal by Graboski then cut the Pointers' deficit to 21-13.

Beckwith completed 32 of his 59 attempts on the day to go along with two touchdowns and two interceptions. Jenkins accounted for 204 yards on 10 catches, while Brad Kalsow posted 12 receptions for 134 yards. In the rushing department, Ferron led the Pointers with 14 carries for 48 yards and one touchdown. Mike Krueger topped the team with 7.5 tackles and Matt Lunder added two quarterback sacks.

UW-Oshkosh threw four touchdown passes after entering the contest with three in the first six games. McClelland connected on 16-of-23 attempts for 196 yards and three scores with two interceptions. Haass both threw and caught a touchdown while accumulating 46 yards on four grabs. The Titans also got four catches, 36 yards and two touchdowns receiving from Weissman. Roach paced the rushing attack with 17 carries for 51 yards. On the defensive side, Nate Heard (So. • Milwaukee) led UW-Oshkosh with 9.5 tackles.

The Pointers held a tremendous advantage in all offensive categories. They totaled 30 first downs compared to the Titans' 12, as they also outgained UW-Oshkosh by a margin of 521 yards to 253. Neither squad emphasized the ground game, with the Titans running for 43 yards and the Pointers for 51.

UW-Stevens Point ran its winning streak to four games, including the past two by one point apiece.