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Football

Titans, Blugolds To Square Off Under The Lights

The UW-Oshkosh football team is looking to build on its most complete performance of the season when it travels to UW-Eau Claire for a 6 p.m. kickoff on Saturday (Oct. 30) at Carson Park.

The Titans (4-3/3-1 WIAC) aim for their first three-game winning streak since 2007. Last week, they dominated the total yards, 521-277, to earn a 41-14 victory over UW-Platteville. On Oct. 16, UW-Oshkosh pulled away to take a 35-22 decision against Lambuth University (Tenn.). Nate Wara (So. • Oshkosh) compiled nine touchdowns in those two games, while Garrie Fox (Jr. • Madison) posted 100+ yards and two receiving scores in each. The Titans have thrived due to solid fundamental football, committing one turnover or less in four of their last five games.

Wara leads the WIAC in passing at almost 225 yards per game. He has thrown 19 touchdowns and completed 70 percent of his passes while totaling just two interceptions. Fox is the league leader with eight touchdown catches as he owns 37 receptions for 552 yards. The Titans also average more than 160 yards on the ground, with Wara pacing the squad at 437 yards and four touchdowns.

On the defensive side, UW-Oshkosh has held its last two opponents under 280 yards. During those contests, the Titans allowed just four conversions in 21 third-down situations. The unit is led by Nate Heard (Sr. • Milwaukee), who tops the conference with eight passes defended, and Logan Heyden (Sr. • Kenosha), who owns a team-high 40 tackles.

UW-Eau Claire (3-4/1-3 WIAC) was nationally ranked earlier in the year, but it has dropped its past three games to UW-Platteville, UW-Whitewater and UW-Stout. The Blugolds nearly overcame a 31-7 deficit before falling, 37-28, to the Blue Devils on Oct. 23. A league-high 25 sacks allowed and a turnover margin of -4 have been the main reasons for UW-Eau Claire's struggles.

The Blugolds score 18 points per game, but they have Joel Sweeney, who lists second in the WIAC with nine touchdowns. Sweeney has 606 rushing yards this year, to go along with 216 yards on 15 catches. David Goodman, who hauled in three touchdowns against UW-Oshkosh in 2009, leads his squad with 32 receptions for 399 yards. Austin Neu has 1,271 yards through the air while tossing six scores and five interceptions. On the defensive side, Andy Neumann paces his team with 49 stops.

In a Halloween thriller last season, the Blugolds stole a 44-35 win. Wara amassed career-highs of 36 completions and 358 yards in the defeat, but the Titans were doomed by three blocked kicks and two turnovers. UW-Eau Claire owns a 40-21 advantage in the all-time series, including victories in 11 of the past 14 contests.