Titans Host Robert Morris University In Season Opener

UW-Oshkosh kicks off its 120th football season at home against first-time opponent Robert Morris University (Ill.) at 6 p.m. Saturday (Sept. 6) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

The Titans begin the season ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III by D3football.com after ending 2013 with an 8-2 record and a third-place 5-2 mark in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Fourth-year program Robert Morris University (Ill.) went 7-4 in 2013 with a 3-3 mark in its first season in the NAIA's Mideast League of the Mid-States Football Association, which has produced the last three NAIA national champions.

UW-Oshkosh returns 11 starters and 45 lettermen from last year's squad that led the WIAC in rushing offense with 197.9 yards per game and finished second in scoring defense with 14.9 points allowed per game.

The Titans return four All-WIAC first-team players – kicker Nate Ray, tight end Joe Sommers, defensive lineman Cody Huemmer and wide receiver Zach Kasuboski.

Last season, Ray received All-West Region first-team honors after averaging 39.9 yards per punt and placing 13 of his 48 punts inside the 20-yard line. Sommers was named to the second team after collecting 19 passes for 362 yards and one touchdown. Sommers was a second-team selection on the 2014 D3football.com Preseason All-America Team.

Huemmer was named third-team All-Region after making 44 tackles, including 25 solos and a team-leading nine sacks. Kasuboski had 31 receptions for 402 yards and six touchdowns, and 35 carries for 191 yards and one touchdown.

UW-Oshkosh also returns All-WIAC second-team defensive lineman Alex Smith. Last season, Smith had 24 tackles, including 8.5 tackles for losses and 3.5 sacks.

Despite being a recent adoptee of collegiate football, Robert Morris University has made a smooth transition into the NAIA, going 19-11 in its three seasons. Members of head coach Jared Williamson's first-ever recruiting class are now seniors. Williamson welcomes back 20 starters and 64 lettermen, including eight all-conference players and two preseason All-Americans, to a squad that tied for fourth in the NAIA in turnover margin with +1.20 per game last season. The Eagles defeated two ranked NAIA teams in 2013, including a 28-24 road victory over No. 4 University of Saint Francis (Ill.).

Eagles running back Lamont Wims and wide receiver Deshawn Weaver were third-team selections on the Collegiate Development Football League's NAIA preseason All-America Team. In 2013, Wims tied for sixth in the NAIA with 19 total touchdowns and eighth in the nation with 1,518 rushing yards on 285 carries. Wims had 25 carries for 245 yards and four touchdowns in the final game of 2013. Weaver tied for fifth in the NAIA with 75 receptions for 827 yards and eight touchdowns.

Robert Morris University also returns all-conference first-team linebacker Dontaye Johnson (101 tackles) and all-conference second-team offensive lineman Mac Robinson.

UW-Oshkosh outscored opponents, 320-206, last season while Robert Morris University held a 312-242 advantage over opponents. Last year, the Titans averaged 427.7 yards per game with 229.8 yards passing and 197.9 yards rushing. The Eagles averaged 352 yards per game with 175.3 yards passing and 176.7 yards rushing.

In 2013, UW-Oshkosh allowed 225.3 yards passing and 117.2 yards rushing per game while collecting 21 interceptions and recovering three fumbles. Robert Morris University allowed 227.7 yards passing and 134.7 yards rushing while registering 15 interceptions and recovering 11 fumbles.

UW-Oshkosh has won 30 of its last 33 season openers.