No. 10 Titans fall to No. 8 rival Warhawks 20-0

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Julia J. Graff/The Purple Royal

UWO sophomore defensive back Kollyn Beyer lines up across from a Warhawks wide receiver.

Evan Moris, Sports Editor

The UW Oshkosh football team fell short Saturday at the hands of the UW-Whitewater Warhawks 20-0.

The No. 10-ranked Titans were unable to produce a single point on Saturday against the stout No. 8-ranked Warhawks defense.

The Warhawks dominated the Titans on both sides of the ball being out-dueled on offense 202 yards for UWO to the Warhawks’ 371 yards. The Titans could not score on the Warhawks’ defense, only averaging a total of 2.8 yards per play and punting nine times.

First quarter

The Warhawks received the ball to begin the game only to punt the ball to the Titans after five plays. The Titans did the same on their first possession, five plays and a punt back to the Warhawks.

During the Warhawks’ second drive, the Titans could not slow the UW-Whitewater offense as they drove the ball down the field 66 yards to the UWO 12-yard line where the Warhawks’ place kicker Wojciech Gasienica’s kick attempt went wide left with 4:39 left in the first quarter.

UWO gained possession after the failed field goal attempt but was able to advance the ball far up the field to its own 38-yard line where the Titans attempted a fake punt that was spotted by the Warhawk special teams, giving the Warhawks the ball at the UWO 31-yard line.

The Warhawks began their drive at the Titan 31-yard line as the first quarter came to a close.

Second quarter

After taking over deep in UWO territory, UW-Whitewater was able to produce a field goal attempt but was kicked wide left once again.

The Titans gathered the ball on their own 20-yard line, but the Warhawk defense halted UWO, forcing a punt. The Titans failed to block a Warhawk defender as the punt was blocked and fielded at the UWO 6-yard line.

The Titans’ defense held the Warhawks at their own 6-yard line, forcing them to attempt another field goal. This time the kick was good, putting the Warhawks ahead 3-0.

The Titans took possession after the ensuing kickoff at their own 20-yard line. UWO was able to make slight progress up the field and were forced to punt again to the Warhawks.

Warhawks received the ball at their own 18-yard line. On the next play, Warhawks quarterback Cole Wilber found his wide receiver JT Parish for an 82-yard touchdown, putting the Warhawks up 10-0.

The Titans’ drives had stalled in their own territory for the remainder of the half and they were not able to enter Warhawk territory in the entire first half. UW-Whitewater tacked on another field goal with 22 seconds left in the first half, putting the Warhawks ahead of the Titans 13-0.

Third quarter

The Titans’ started the second half, driving the ball into the Warhawks’ side of the field for the first time but had to punt once again.

On the third play of the ensuing Warhawk possession, Wilber found Parish again for a 76-yard touchdown, making the score 20-0 Warhawks.

The Titans were unable to enter Warhawk territory for the remainder of the third period.

Fourth quarter

In the fourth quarter, the Titan defense held the Warhawks offense in check only allowing 48 total yards.

The Titan offense did show an ability to move the ball against the Warhawks in the fourth quarter.

The Titans compiled a 12-play drive that started at their own 10-yard line. The Titans were able to get the ball to the Warhawks 2-yard line before an arrant snap, followed by a targeting penalty that ejected Titan tight end Tommy Noennig, from the game. A delay-of-game penalty pushed the Titans back to the Warhawks 26 yard-line where UWO quarterback Kyle Radavich was forced to the throw a hail mary that fell incomplete.

Titans head coach Pat Cerroni said his team faced a great opponent, a loud crowd and failed to execute on Saturday.

“Tough place play; they’re a very good football team and we didn’t play very well,” Cerroni said. “Doesn’t take anything less away from what we’ve accomplished in the past, take anything away from what we can do in the future. It was just a bad day; everyone has them. Heck, you’re a Packer fan-what’s the difference? Good days and bad days; wasn’t our day.”

Titans sophomore defensive back Kollyn Beyer said the Warhawks executed big pass plays on Saturday that ultimately gave them the victory.

“Those are the type of plays that win you big games. They made them, and we didn’t.”

The Titans will be back at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium for the first time this season Saturday. Beyer said the team is happy to finally play in front of the home crowd.

“We like the challenge of playing on the road,” Beyer said. “But it’s definitely nice to be home.”

Kickoff is set for 2 p.m. versus UW-Platteville at Titan Stadium.