UW-Oshkosh Stagg Bowl Preview #4 • The Final Words

The first meeting between UW-Oshkosh and University of Mary Hardin-Baylor will determine which program will win its first NCAA Division III Football championship at the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Friday (Dec. 16) in Salem, Va. The national title game, set to kick off at 7 p.m. (ET) from Salem Football Stadium, will be aired live on ESPNU.

UW-Oshkosh (13-1), ranked fourth in the nation by D3football.com, is making its national title game debut in the program's third NCAA postseason appearance. The Titans reached the semifinal round of the 32-team tournament in 2012 and the quarterfinals in 2015.

Top-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (14-0) is back in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl for the second time and first since falling, 28-21, to Linfield College (Ore.) in 2004.

The Titans own a 9-2 record in NCAA postseason play while the Crusaders have compiled a 31-14 mark in 15 appearances, including trips to the semifinal round in 2007, 2008, 2012 and 2013 and to the quarterfinals in 2006, 2010, 2011 and 2015.

UW-Oshkosh advanced to the title game with a 10-3 home victory over sixth-ranked John Carroll University (Ohio) on Saturday (Dec. 10). The 13 total points were the fewest for a semifinal round contest in Division III history, eclipsing the previous record of 20 points.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor secured its place in Salem with a 14-12 decision at home over seventh-ranked and defending national champion University of Mount Union (Ohio). The Crusaders thwarted University of Mount Union's potential game-tying two-point conversion with 4:24 remaining.

The Titans opened the season with a 33-14 home triumph over John Carroll University on Sept. 3 en route to winning their first four games by a combined 223-38 score. UW-Oshkosh suffered a 17-14 loss at

UW-Whitewater on a last-minute touchdown on Oct. 8, but the Titans have rebounded to win their next nine contests, including NCAA playoff victories by scores of 49-13 over Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.) on Nov. 19, 31-14 over Saint John's University (Minn.) on Nov. 26, and 34-31 at defending national runner-up University of St. Thomas (Minn.) on Dec. 3.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's unbeaten season has featured just two wins by fewer than 17 points. The Crusaders slipped past American Southwest Conference rival Hardin-Simmons University (Texas), 20-15, on Oct. 22 and withstood a late comeback attempt by University of Mount Union in the national semifinals.

The Crusaders began the 2016 postseason with home victories of 50-28 over University of Redlands (Calif.) on Nov. 19, 27-10 over Linfield College on Nov. 26 and 38-16 over Wheaton College (Ill.) on Dec. 3.

UW-Oshkosh, which is outscoring opponents by a combined 320-56 score during the first half this season, has trailed in two games this season for a total of less than 12 minutes. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor has fallen behind in eight games this season for a total of more than 90 minutes.

UW-Oshkosh lists among the nation's top 10 teams in six major statistical categories while University of Mary Hardin-Baylor ranks among the division's best in 11.

The Titans rank third nationally with 40 turnovers gained, 26 interceptions gained and a .929 winning percentage while listing fifth with a +1.86 turnover margin per contest, sixth with 12.9 points allowed per game and seventh with a 92.32 opponent passing efficiency.

In addition to leading the country in winning percentage, the Crusaders also pace the nation with 40 interceptions gained, 32 interceptions gained and eight defensive touchdowns. University of Mary Hardin-Baylor also ranks second in the nation with 49.4 points per game and 316 first downs; sixth with a 168.58 passing efficiency, 9.8 tackles for loss per contest and 0.64 sacks allowed per game; ninth with 76.6 rushing yards allowed per contest; and 10th with a +1.50 turnover margin per game.

UW-Oshkosh enters the championship game averaging 38.3 points and 454.3 yards per game while University of Mary Hardin-Baylor averages 49.4 points and 483.3 yards per contest.

Defensively, the Titans are yielding 12.9 points and 269.1 yards per contest, and the Crusaders are allowing 14.4 points and 294.1 yards per game.

UW-Oshkosh is led offensively by quarterback Brett Kasper, running backs Dylan Hecker and Devon Linzenmeyer and wide receiver Dom Todarello.

Kasper has thrown for 2,404 yards and 19 touchdowns while Todarello has a team-leading 532 receiving yards and six scores.

Hecker leads the Titan ground attack with 1,113 rushing yards and 16 touchdowns while Linzenmeyer has added 848 and 10 scores on the ground.

Reese Dziedzic spearheads the UW-Oshkosh defense with 87 tackles. Branden Lloyd paces the Titans with 5.5 sacks, and Johnny Eagan has registered eight interceptions.

Titans placekicker Eli Wettstein has a team-best 110 points on 16 field goals and 62 extra points while UW-Oshkosh punter Turner Geisthardt averages 40.2 yards per kick.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor's offense is led by dual-threat quarterback Blake Jackson, running back Markeith Miller and wide receiver T.J. Josey.

Jackson has 3,111 passing yards with 35 touchdowns to go along with 785 rushing yards and 10 scores on the ground.

Miller leads the Crusader running game with 1,472 rushing yards and 20 touchdowns on the ground, and Josey has 1,006 receiving yards and eight scores.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor defensive leaders include Keith Reineke's 112 tackles, Teidrick Smith's 14.5 sacks and Baylor Mullins' six interceptions. Mullins, who doubles as the Crusader punter, averages 35.5 yards per kick.

Crusaders placekicker John Mowery has 110 points on eight field goals and 86 extra points.

UW-Oshkosh has produced 11 seasons with at least seven wins. Current Titans head coach Pat Cerroni has accounted for six of those 11 seasons in his 10 years at the helm, including marks of 13-1 in 2012 and 11-2 last season. Cerroni, who has compiled a 77-33 record, became the winningest coach in program history with his 69th victory on Oct. 15 against UW-Stevens Point.

University of Mary Hardin-Baylor head coach Pete Fredenburg has been at the helm since the program's inaugural season in 1998. Prior to starting the Crusader program, Fredenburg served as defensive coordinator for 13 years at Baylor University (Texas), one year at Louisiana State University and three years at Louisiana Tech University.

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