UW-Oshkosh is final four bound

MCMINNVILLE, OR - The UW-Oshkosh football team advanced to the NCAA Division III final four after defeating Linfield 31-24 in overtime on Saturday.

For the third consecutive game, the Titans found themselves in an early hole trailing 14-0 with 3:51 to play in the opening quarter.

Cole Myhra got UWO on the board with a 29 yard touchdown run late in the first quarter to cut the deficit to 14-6. The Titans would go to intermission trailing 21-6.

The two teams would trade field goals during the 3rd quarter sending the game to the final frame with Linfield leading by a 24-9 margin.

Nate Wara would score on a 2 yard touchdown run during the first minute of that fourth quarter. Nate Ray would add the extra point to make it 24-16.

Seven minutes later, Wara would do the deed again, scoring from 1 yard away this time. The Titans would add a 2-point conversion as well to tie the game at 24, the first time the game had been even since the 12:56 mark of the first quarter.

The Wildcats would have a chance to win the game with a field goal in the closing seconds but for the second time in the game the Titans came away with the blocked kick. That sent the game into overtime.

UWO had the ball first in the extra period and Wara connected with Caleb Voss for a 21 yard touchdown score. The extra point would make it 31-24 with Linfield getting the ball.

A roughing the passer call on the Wildcats' first play from scrimmage gave Linfield a fresh set of downs at the Titans 12. They decided to go for the reverse and it cost them. The ball was mishandled on the exchange and Andrew Thompson recovered to give UWO the victory 31-24.

Nate Wara was 23 of 30 passing for 237 yards and a touchdown in the game. Caleb Voss reeled in 7 of those passes for 127 yards and a score.

Cole Myhra racked up 110 yards on the ground and one touchdown.

Taylor Goodman had 9 tackles for the Titans while Nick Jolin picked up 2 1/2 sacks.

UW-Oshkosh will play St. Thomas (MN) in the Division III semifinals on Saturday December 8th.