Blugolds Spook Titans In Halloween Thriller
Three blocked kicks and a fumble deep in its own territory haunted the UW-Oshkosh football team during a 44-35 Halloween loss to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday (Oct. 31) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
UW-Eau Claire (4-4/2-3 WIAC) took advantage of a UW-Oshkosh fumble with a six-yard touchdown drive to tie the score at 14-14 in the second quarter. The Blugolds then turned a blocked punt into another seven points during the fourth period to up its lead to 41-28.
UW-Oshkosh (4-4/2-3 WIAC) got a career performance from Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh), who completed his first 12 passes of the contest. Wara finished the contest by completing 36-of-46 passes for 358 yards and three touchdowns. He also rushed 18 times for 64 yards.
David Goodman found the end zone three times in a game that featured 11 touchdowns and 902 yards of offense. He hauled in a 32-yard score with 1:28 to play in the first half to cut the Blugolds' deficit to 28-26. His 38-yard touchdown grab early in the third period gave his team a 34-28 advantage. Following a blocked punt inside the UW-Oshkosh 10-yard line, Goodman caught a two-yard touchdown pass to extend UW-Eau Claire's lead to 41-28 with 6:59 to play.
UW-Oshkosh got a pair of huge plays from Jamie Braasch (Fr. • Oshkosh) to remain in the game late. Braasch converted a fourth down with a nine-yard grab before breaking free for a 39-yard pass play. Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) then completed the 86-yard drive with a one-yard touchdown run to cut UW-Eau Claire's lead to 41-35 with 3:37 left.
UW-Eau Claire recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and got a 22-yard run by Cory Sartorelli. He then drilled a 32-yard field goal with 1:34 on the clock for the game's final points. Sartorelli paced all runners with 117 yards and two scores on his 33 carries.
Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) got the scoring started just 2:53 into play when he pulled in a 20-yard pass from Nate Wara. Juston Wara caught eight passes in the game for 98 yards and two scores.
Each team added a rushing touchdown before the end of the first period. Roach scampered in from 10 yards out to give UW-Oshkosh a 14-0 lead. Less than three minutes later, Sartorelli capped a 69-yard drive with an eight-yard score. The Titans led 14-7 after one quarter of play.
The game's momentum turned when Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) fumbled a snap early in the second period. The Blugolds pounced on the opportunity and took over six yards from the goal line. Spencer Kehoe caught a five-yard touchdown pass from Kyle Paulson to equal the score at 14.
After Nate Wara sprinted for 20 yards on 3rd-and-8, he connected with Juston Wara for a 26-yard pass and a five-yard touchdown. The score gave the Titans a 21-14 lead with 10:21 to play in the second quarter. Nate Wara had a pass dropped on the possession to end his streak of consecutive completions at 21, including nine from last Saturday's (Oct. 24) game against UW-Platteville.
UW-Eau Claire used some Halloween trickery to pull closer on its next opportunity. Austin Neu completed a 17-yard pass to Goodman on a fake punt to keep the drive alive. Paulson added a 17-yard run to set up Sartorelli, who took the ball into the end zone from two yards out to cut the Blugolds' deficit to 21-20.
The Titans used several quick screen passes to wide receivers in the first half as they upped their advantage. Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) caught a 14-yard pass late in the second quarter to reach the red zone. Paul Coburn (Jr. • Sussex) then reached up for a 10-yard touchdown catch to give the Titans a 28-20 lead with 1:54 to play before the break.
Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) tried to add to the Titans' 7-0 advantage in the first quarter, but his 34-yard field goal was blocked. His attempt from 32 yards just before halftime was also blocked, this time by Andy Neumann. Neumann was second on the Blugolds in tackles with eight, including two quarterback sacks.
It was the third time this season UW-Oshkosh amassed more than 500 yards as it totaled 527 to the Blugolds' 375. Paulson finished with 213 yards and four touchdowns through the air, while Goodman (98 yards), Kehoe (80 yards) and Brett Schreiner (40 yards) each posted five pass receptions for UW-Eau Claire.
Third-down conversions belonged to the Titans, who were successful on 10 of their 17 opportunities. UW-Eau Claire reached the sticks on just 2-of-10 attempts, but it played smart by committing just one penalty. UW-Oshkosh was charged with nine penalties in the game.
Kalan Stittleburg recorded 11 tackles to pace a Blugold defense that tallied five quarterback sacks. James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) counted 15 tackles and Cameron Heilman (Jr. • Port Washington) 10 and one forced fumble.
UW-Oshkosh visits defending WIAC champion UW-Whitewater next Saturday (Nov. 4).