Panthers Fight Off Titans' Fourth-Quarter Rally

UW-Oshkosh's furious fourth-quarter rally came up just short during a 31-29 football defeat to Ohio Dominican University on Saturday (Sept. 26) at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The Titans (2-1) broke out of an offensive slump by outscoring the Panthers, 16-0, in the final period. Ohio Dominican University (2-2) recorded 437 total yards in amassing a 31-13 advantage through three quarters.

After eight straight scoreless possessions, UW-Oshkosh got a boost from its special teams. Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) took back a punt 81 yards to put his team in scoring position. Following a 14-yard catch from Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove), Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield) ran into the end zone from two yards out. The scoreboard showed a 31-20 figure with 12 minutes remaining.

A defensive three-and-out got the Titans' offense back on the field, where Justin Budiac (So. • Mukwonago) gained 19 yards on a screen pass. Matt Haass (Jr. • Brownsville) then tacked on a 15-yard reception to reach the red zone. With 7:20 on the clock, Roach scampered 13 yards on a draw play for the score to make it 31-26.

UW-Oshkosh's two-point try was unsuccessful, as was the Panthers' quarterback sneak on their ensuing drive. On fourth-and-inches, Billy Griffin was stuffed to give the Titans possession at the Ohio Dominican 38-yard line. Charlie Weissman (So. • Colgate) picked up 30 yards on third-and-long to give UW-Oshkosh a chance. After McClelland dropped a potential go-ahead touchdown at the goal line, Andy Lindsay (So. • Howard) came in to cut the deficit with a 22-yard field goal as the clock showed 4:29 to play.

Tyler Purcell carried the next five plays for 39 yards to run the clock out as UW-Oshkosh didn't see the ball again. Purcell concluded the contest with 151 yards on 20 attempts with one touchdown. Ohio Dominican also got 51 yards rushing by Mike Noffsinger on 10 carries and six receptions for 77 yards from Kyle Reichelderfer. Griffin handled the majority of the passing with 192 yards and two scores on 14-of-26 throws.

Reichelderfer hauled in a nine-yard touchdown just 3:23 into the contest as the Panthers scored on the game's opening drive. The possession also included a 16-yard catch from Brian Vollmer and a 12-yard grab by Reichelderfer.

UW-Oshkosh responded with a 15-play, 95-yard march. Weissman had carries of 18 and nine yards, while Juston Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) gathered a 16-yard catch on 3rd-and-10. Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh), who had a clutch 15-yard run earlier on the drive, capped it off with a one-yard run to make it 7-6 with 2:57 remaining in the first quarter.

The second period featured 28 points, including scores on three consecutive trips. Ohio Dominican tallied a 12-yard rushing touchdown by Noffsinger 12:11 before halftime. A pair of Purcell rushes, both covering 15-plus yards, then set up Reichelderfer's 14-yard touchdown catch with 6:57 to play.

Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) entered the game as UW-Oshkosh's quarterback and marked a 10-yard run before his one-yard touchdown carry. The drive, which included a 19-yard Ben Rosandick (Sr. • Pittsville) reception, began with Roach's 28-yard kickoff return to midfield. Wegner's bootleg sprint to the pylon cut the Titans' deficit to 14-13 at the 8:45 mark of the second period.

Ohio Dominican went 88 yards on 13 plays to increase its lead before the break. Vollmer picked up 18 yards on a catch to open the drive, while Purcell ran the final six yards for the score. The Panthers tallied with seven seconds remaining to go up, 28-13, at halftime.

The third quarter was a defensive battle, as the two teams combined for seven punts, one interception and three points. The lone offensive highlight of the period was a 22-yard catch on 3rd-and-16 by Reichelderfer. James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton), who amassed a career-best 21 tackles in the contest, made a huge stop for a seven-yard loss to force one Panthers' punt.

Special teams changed the game late in the third period, with Ohio Dominican blocking a punt at the Titans' 14-yard line. Chris Vortkamp made it count on a 28-yard field goal by upping the Panthers' lead to 31-13 with 17 seconds left in the quarter. Roach, who finished with 169 yards on five kick returns, brought the ensuing one back 43 yards.

Both squads ran at least 80 offensive plays, with the Panthers outgaining UW-Oshkosh, 503-354. Ohio Dominican also converted 10-of-19 third downs while topping the Titans in first downs, 31-19. Steven Witherspoon notched seven solo tackles in the contest to pace the visiting Panthers.

Roach totaled 49 yards and 12 carries on the ground to lead UW-Oshkosh, in addition to 40 yards on 10 attempts by Weissman. Nate Wara completed 15-of-27 passes for 132 yards, while McClelland led all Titan receivers with five grabs and 44 yards.

UW-Oshkosh's defensive effort also included the eight tackles of Justin Metzger (Sr. • Howard) and the seven of Cameron Heilman (Jr. • Port Washington).

After posting an average of 6.7 yards per play in its first two games, UW-Oshkosh earned just 4.4 against the Panthers. The Titans will try to get back on track with the WIAC opener next Saturday (Oct. 3) at UW-La Crosse.