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Football

Titans To Host Defending National Champion Warhawks

UW-Oshkosh challenges its third top-10 opponent in its past four contests as it takes on nationally-ranked UW-Whitewater in Saturday's (Oct. 18) Homecoming football game. Kickoff between the Titans and the defending NCAA Division III champion Warhawks is set for 1:30 p.m. at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

This season's Homecoming game fits the title more than usual, as UW-Oshkosh is coming off its longest stretch without a home date since 1933. The Titans (3-1/1-1 WIAC) last played on their own turf on Sept. 6 against Ripon College, which was a 14-13 UW-Oshkosh victory. In last week's conference opener, the Titans took a 9-7 lead midway through the fourth quarter and held on for the victory.

UW-Whitewater (5-0/3-0 WIAC) enters Saturday's game ranked second in the NCAA Division III by D3Football.com and the American Football Coaches Association. The Warhawks have won 24 consecutive WIAC games, including last week's 52-24 result at UW-River Falls. Levell Coppage rushed for 181 of the team's 592 offensive yards in the rout. Coppage ran for four touchdowns while the Warhawks had three other players rush for at least 50 yards.

The all-time series between these two teams favors UW-Whitewater, with a record of 69-25-5. The first meeting took place in 1897. The 2007 contest saw the Titans with possession of the football and trailing by five points in the game's closing minutes. UW-Oshkosh failed to score on the drive and went on to suffer a 26-14 defeat. The Warhawks' Justin Beaver led his squad to victory by carrying 35 times for 179 yards.

The 2008 Titans own a very balanced offense, rushing for an average of 110 yards per game and passing for an average of 107. The total of 217 yards per contest ranks eighth in the WIAC, but UW-Oshkosh makes up for it by taking care of the football. The Titans boast a turnover margin of +5, which is the second-best mark in the conference. UW-Oshkosh also sits second in two other important categories of offensive efficiency. The team has committed just 18 penalties on the year and has scored on 86 percent of its red zone opportunities.

Individually, Steve Levonowich (Jr. • Kenosha) leads the backfield with 73 carries for 262 yards, a total that places him sixth in the WIAC. The quarterback position belongs to Craig McClelland (So. • Union Grove), and he has stepped right in to become the conference's third-leading player in pass efficiency. In 2008, McClelland has connected on 68 percent (40-59) of his passes for 412 yards and two touchdowns. Levonowich tops the Titans with 12 pass receptions, while Juston Wara (So. • Oshkosh) has pulled in eight catches for 101 yards and two scores.

UW-Whitewater enters the contest with the highest-scoring offense in the WIAC, averaging 36.6 points per game. Coppage paces the ground attack with 138 carries for 747 yards and 12 touchdowns. His 149 rushing yards per game rank seventh while his 14.4 points per game lead the league and list fourth in the NCAA Division III. The Warhawks churn up 247 rushing yards per game, helping them to the top spot in the conference with an average possession time of 32:24. UW-Whitewater also owns the #1 red zone and third down offenses in the WIAC, scoring on 96 percent of its red zone trips and converting 57 percent of its third-down chances.

Jeff Donovan heads the Warhawk passing game, which lists fifth in the conference at 163 yards per game. Donovan has thrown three touchdowns this season while completing 66 percent of his passes for 778 yards. The leading recipient of his passes has been Aaron Rusch, who has 35 catches for 333 yards.

Coming off its finest performance of the season, the UW-Oshkosh defense is looking to improve even further. The unit stands fourth in the WIAC, surrendering 17.5 points per contest. The Titans give up 337 yards per game, with 180 coming through the air and 157 on the ground. UW-Oshkosh has allowed opponents to be successful on just 17 percent of their fourth down tries and 61 percent of their red zone trips, with both figures listing first in the WIAC. Kevin Bahl (Jr. • Muskego) commands the squad with nine tackles per game, which is the third-best mark in the conference.

The Warhawks come into the game allowing an average of 10.8 points, listing second in the WIAC and 11th in the NCAA Division III. They have had great success stopping the run, holding opponents to just 71 yards per game. UW-Whitewater ranks seventh in the conference in passing defense at 196 yards per contest.

A big factor in determining the outcome of Saturday's game will be who scores in the early stages of the contest. The Titans have not yet produced points in the first quarter this season, where as UW-Whitewater outscores its opponents, 97-17, in the first half.