Titans To Visit UW-River Falls

UW-Oshkosh can earn its eighth straight win in the series when it travels to UW-River Falls on Saturday (Oct. 19). The eighth-ranked Titans and the Falcons are scheduled to kick off at 2 p.m.

UW-River Falls won 13 consecutive games between these teams until UW-Oshkosh snapped that streak in 2004. The Titans have now captured the last seven contests, including a 19-7 victory at River Falls last year.

Defense has been a big reason why UW-Oshkosh is 5-0 (2-0 WIAC) this season. The Titans rank sixth nationally with 12 interceptions and ninth with 21 sacks. Opponents are gaining just 2.7 yards per carry and converting 23 percent of their third downs. UW-Oshkosh held UW-La Crosse to 173 total yards in last week's 30-6 triumph.

Cole Myhra has posted multiple touchdowns in 4-of-5 games so far. His nine scores lead the WIAC, while his 413 rushing yards rank second. Nick Olla completed over 65 percent of his passes each of the last three games. For the season, Olla has 1,254 yards and nine touchdowns. Caleb Voss (334 yards), Zach Kasuboski (270) and Joe Sommers (232) lead the receiving unit.

The Titan defense is led by Reese Dziedzic (40 tackles) and reigning WIAC Player of the Week Ryan Stefaniak (35). Safety Austin Blashka tops the league with three interceptions, while defensive end Dexter Charles is among the leaders with 4.5 sacks.

UW-River Falls (0-5/0-2 WIAC) has a pair of close defeats on its resume, falling to St. John's University, 17-14, and Simpson College, 35-34. The Falcons also dropped contests to #7 UW-Platteville (49-7) and #9 St. Thomas (25-7). The Pioneers racked up 598 yards at River Falls last Saturday.

Ryan Kusilek is one of the more versatile players in the league. He leads all WIAC quarterbacks with 310 rushing yards. In the passing game, Kusilek owns 961 yards, eight touchdowns and six interceptions. Jordan Christianson stands third in the conference with 29 receptions for 374 yards and five scores.

The Falcons are averaging 14.4 yards per punt return to lead the WIAC. On defense, Nick Zimmerman paces the squad with 40 tackles and 10 pass breakups.

By Jon Feyen