Titans Ready To Tame Pointers

UW-Oshkosh looks to rebound from a pair of heartbreaking defeats when it travels to face the UW-Stevens Point football team on Saturday (Nov. 5) at Goerke Field. Kickoff for the Titans' final road game is set for 1 p.m.

Following an impressive four-game win streak, UW-Oshkosh (5-3/3-2 WIAC) has dropped its last two contests by scores of 20-17 to top-ranked UW-Whitewater and 30-24 to UW-La Crosse. The Titans led for the majority of the game against the Warhawks before surrendering a field goal with 1:18 left. UW-Oshkosh then mounted a 17-point comeback against the Eagles, only to suffer the six-point loss in overtime.

UW-Stevens Point (4-4/2-3 WIAC) is no stranger to close games, as it scores 18 points and allows 19 points per contest. The Pointer defense ranks second in the WIAC and is led by Joe Mleziva. Mleziva owns 72 tackles, second-best in the conference, and three interceptions. UW-Stevens Point is surrendering just 168 yards passing and 164 yards rushing per game.

On offense, the Pointers rank eighth in rushing (120 yards per game) and eighth in passing (157). The duo of Mike Mullins (27 catches for 365 yards) and Marc Young (25 receptions for 342 yards) gives the passing game consistency, while both Casey Barnes and Mitch Beau have seen action under center. Beau threw for 223 yards against UW-Whitewater and owns seven touchdown passes on the year. Cory Flisakowski is the team's leading runner with 323 yards and four scores.

The Titans boast the WIAC's second-ranked offense in both scoring (29 points per game) and total yardage (388). Nate Wara (Jr. • Oshkosh) has 11 touchdown passes, giving him 43 for his career, a total that ranks second in school history. Wara also owns a team-high 520 rushing yards to go with his 1,237 passing yards. Garrie Fox (Sr. • Madison) tops the receiving unit with 33 grabs for 465 yards and four scores.

Another UW-Oshkosh weapon is Charlie Weissman (Sr. • Colgate), who leads the league in kick return average (23.3 yards). The Titan defense includes the WIAC leader in sacks (five) with Andrew Thompson (Jr. • Greendale) and tackles for loss (nine) with Ryan Stefaniak (So. • Muskego). Jack Breese (Sr. • Kewaskum) paces the team with 64 tackles.

UW-Stevens Point has won the past three meetings in this series and owns a 61-40-8 record. Last year's clash saw the visiting Titans bolt to a 14-0 lead, but the Pointers capitalized on four turnovers to notch a 41-17 victory. Weissman rushed for 95 yards to highlight UW-Oshkosh's effort.