Titans To Tangle With Pioneers In Home Finale
UW-Oshkosh will play on its home football field for the final time in 2008 when the Titans face UW-Platteville on Saturday (Nov. 8). Kickoff for the matchup is 1 p.m. at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
Coming off last Saturday's (Nov. 1) shootout that ended in a 34-33 overtime loss to UW-Stevens Point, the Titans (3-4/1-4 WIAC) look to pick up their second victory in league play. UW-Oshkosh topped UW-Stout, 9-7, for its conference win before dropping contests to second-ranked UW-Whitewater, UW-La Crosse and the 14th-ranked Pointers last Saturday (Nov. 1).
Jeremy Roach (So. • Deerfield) starred in the game, taking a pass for a 71-yard touchdown as well as returning a kickoff 90 yards for a score. He was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week for his effort. Craig McClelland (So. • Union Grove) enters the game as the conference's leader in passing efficiency. He has completed 66 percent of his throws for 665 yards and five touchdowns on the season. Steve Levonowich (Jr. • Kenosha) is his leading pass catcher with 19, while Charlie Weissman (Fr. • Colgate) has pulled in 10 receptions for a team-high 164 yards and two touchdowns. Levonowich also paces the Titans with 103 carries for 343 yards in the ground game.
UW-Platteville (3-5/1-4 WIAC) recorded its first league win of the season with a 7-0 win over UW-River Falls last Saturday. The Pioneers, who dropped their opening four games of the conference slate, rank second in the WIAC with an average of 218 passing yards per contest. John Akim has thrown for 787 yards, six touchdowns and nine interceptions as one of three quarterbacks to see playing time. UW-Platteville owns the WIAC's third-leading receiver in Aunton Terry, who has 51 catches for 649 yards and three touchdowns. Mike Genslinger heads the running game with 309 yards and one touchdown on 108 attempts.
On the defensive side of the ball, Joe Tinucci has recorded 75 tackles for UW-Platteville to top the WIAC rankings. The Titans' Kevin Bahl (Jr. • Muskego) lists third in that category with 59 stops, including seven for a loss, this season. The Pioneers' unit also includes David Akey, who has five quarterback sacks, and Quincy Hudson, who has four interceptions for the second-highest total in the league.
Both squads have scored 1,285 points in a close series that dates back to 1911. UW-Oshkosh has taken four of the past six battles, including last season's 35-20 decision. Andy Moriarty racked up 370 yards from scrimmage and three touchdowns while the Titan defense intercepted four passes in the victory. UW-Platteville still holds a 46-42-4 advantage all-time.
The game may be decided by who can stay on the field, with these two squads ranking first and second in the WIAC in fourth down conversions. UW-Oshkosh has managed a 64 percent rate while the Pioneers follow at a 57-percent clip.