The two-time defending NCAA Division 3 football champion UW-Whitewater Warhawks advanced to the NCAA semifinals, holding off UW-Oshkosh 31-29 in Saturday’s quarterfinals.
The Warhawks twice built what seemed to be comfortable leads, only to see the Titans come back.
Oshkosh led all-conference running back Dylan Hecker to an injury early. His replacement Devon Linzenmeyer rushed for 131 yards and two touchdowns.
Titan quarterback Brett Kasper hit 20-of-38 passes for 222 yards and two touchdowns. He led the Titans to a pair of late scores after Whitewater had built a 31-16 lead. A failed two-point conversion attempt kept the Titans from tying the score.
Whitewater running back Jordan Ratliffe had 34 carries for 164 yards and two scores to lead the Warhawks.
The Warhawks will face Mount Union next week. The two teams have faced off in nine of the last 10 Stagg Bowls, but only one of them will make it this year.