EAU CLAIRE, Wis.- The UW-Oshkosh football team (6-2, 4-1 WIAC) traveled to Carson Park in Eau Claire on Saturday afternoon to face conference foe UW-Eau Claire (2-6, 1-4 WIAC). Oshkosh, ranked ninth and 13th in the nation (according to D3football.com and the AFCA Coaches polls), handled business on the road by defeat the Blugolds 42-31.
 
The Titans were efficient on offense, racking up a season-high 455 total yards in 51 plays to the Blugolds' 388 total yards in 80 plays. Oshkosh rumbled for 144 yards on the ground and passed for 311 in the air, and Eau Claire was able to gain 71 on the ground and 317 through the air. The game today was a clean one with neither side committing a penalty.
 
Oshkosh quarterback Brooks Blount (Fifth • Waukesha) put on a clinic, completing 21 of his 25 passes for 311 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran the ball four times for 13 yards and found the endzone two more times.
 
Star receiver Trae Tetzlaff (Sr. • Waukesha) had a great day on the field, breaking the Titans' all-time receiving touchdowns record with 28 career touchdowns. He passed Sam Mentowski's 7-year old record. In Saturday's game, Tetzlaff tallied four receptions for 72 yards and two scores. He now ranks 10th in WIAC history.
 
Running back Justice Lovelace (So. • Kenosha) also had a great game, rumbling for 131 yards on 17 carries and a score.
 
Defensively, the Titans were led by linebacker Kyle Dietzen (Jr. • Omro), who racked up 13 tackles (6 solo) and one for loss.
 
The game started with Eau Claire receiving the opening kickoff, driving 79 yards down field and ending its drive in the endzone to go up 7-0.  Oshkosh struck back quickly thanks to a 63-yard Londyn Little (Jr. • Columbia, Ill.) kickoff return to set the Titans up in Blugold territory. Blount tied the game up at 7-7 after he bullied his way into the endzone on a 3-yard rush. The Titans then forced a 3-and-out and got the ball back at their own 20-yard line. Oshkosh then drove 80 yards, with the drive ending on a touchdown reception hauled in by Tetzlaff, to tie the Titans' all-time receiving touchdown record.
 
Eau Claire answered with a touchdown of its own to tie the game at 14-14 with 12:11 to go in the second quarter. The Titans drove down again and Tetzlaff hauled in another touchdown pass to become the Titans all-time leader in touchdown receptions, and to put Oshkosh up 21-14 with 10 minutes to go in the half. Both teams then traded touchdowns, and Eau Claire connected on a field goal to close the gap, with the Titans leading 28-24 at halftime.
 
Oshkosh received the second half kickoff and capitalized with another Blount rushing touchdown to go up 35-24. Eau Claire then had a turnover on downs and were able to force a Titans three and out. Both teams punted back-to-back to bring the game into the fourth quarter.  Oshkosh drove down to the 3-yard line and handed it off to Lovelace, who found the endzone to extend the lead 42-24 with 11:55 to go in the final period. Eau Claire then had a turnover on downs but intercepted Blount and get the ball back. The Blugolds were able to capitalize off the interception with a touchdown to put the score at 42-31 with six minutes left in the game.  Oshkosh ate four minutes of clock and forced another turnover on downs to seal their win.
 
Oshkosh is slated to be back home next Saturday (Nov. 9) to host the UW-Stout Blue Devils (5-3, 3-2 WIAC) in an important conference matchup at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium. The Blue Devils lost a close 33-31 contest against UW-La Crosse at home on Saturday.