Titans, Falcons Fight For First WIAC Win

UW-Oshkosh strives for its fourth consecutive win over UW-River Falls when the two teams clash on Saturday (Oct. 10). Kickoff for the contest is set for 1 p.m. at J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The Titans (2-2/0-1 WIAC) hope that this year's edition has a similar result to last season's finale. UW-Oshkosh earned its third one-point victory of the 2008 campaign when Garrie Fox (So. • Madison) pulled in a two-yard touchdown with no time left for a 13-12 win in River Falls.

During the past two weeks, the Titans came up short in a 31-29 defeat to Ohio Dominican University and a 32-25 setback at UW-La Crosse. Linebacker James Taraboi (Sr. • Grafton) compiled 34 tackles for UW-Oshkosh over those two games. The Titans began the season on fire offensively, racking up 500-plus yards in wins over both Ripon College and Huntingdon College (Ala.).

UW-River Falls (2-2/0-1 WIAC) dropped a 13-12 decision in overtime to UW-Stout last week. The Falcons, who got 207 rushing yards from Taylor Edwards, elected for a two-point conversion try and failed in the extra session. In its two games prior, UW-River Falls posted a 40-27 win over Alma College and a 20-17 triumph against Northwestern College. The season opener saw the Falcons lose to St. John's University, 24-20.

Edwards is the focal point of the offense, totaling 536 yards and four touchdowns on the ground this year. Ryan Luessenheide has 556 yards and three scores on 42-of-80 passing. The Falcons' receiving leaders are Michael Woodward with 213 yards on 13 catches and Ryan Hansen with 167 yards on 11 grabs. Cole Lowell tops the defensive unit with 38 tackles.

UW-Oshkosh spreads the ball around, utilizing two quarterbacks and a pair of running threats. Nate Wara (Fr. • Oshkosh) is the team passing leader with 581 yards and three touchdowns, while Tyler Wegner (So. • Oshkosh) has 294 yards and four scores. The rushing department boasts Charlie Weissman's (So. • Colgate) 241 yards, along with 232 yards and five touchdowns by Jeremy Roach (Jr. • Deerfield). Craig McClelland (Jr. • Union Grove) paces all Titan receivers with 12 catches for 133 yards.

Last season was the fourth time in the series that the margin of victory was just one point. UW-River Falls holds a 34-18-1 overall mark, but the Titans have captured four of the last five contests. UW-Oshkosh's lone blemish during that span was a 13-10 overtime loss in 2005.