(WNFL) – Eli Wettstein made a 36-yard field goal late in the fourth quarter and Brett Kasper tossed three long touchdowns to Sam Mentkowski as UW-Oshkosh created eight turnovers and never trailed en route to a thrilling 34-31 victory over University of St. Thomas (Minn.) during the quarterfinal round of the NCAA Division III Football Championship on Saturday (Dec. 3) in St. Paul, Minn.
Wettstein’s eventual game-winning kick split the uprights with 2:30 remaining, and University of St. Thomas committed turnovers during its final two drives. UW-Oshkosh’s Johnny Eagan collected his third interception of the contest to thwart a Tommie drive in Titan territory with just over one minute left, and Justin Watson recovered a fumble by University of St. Thomas on the final play of the game at the Tommies’ 12-yard line.
UW-Oshkosh (12-1), ranked fourth in the nation by D3football.com, advances to the national semifinals for the second time in five seasons. The Titans, who reached the quarterfinal round last season, also made the semifinal round in their playoff debut in 2012.
The Titans will play sixth-ranked John Carroll University (Ohio) next Saturday (Dec. 10). John Carroll University (12-1), which lost a 33-14 decision to UW-Oshkosh in this year’s season opener, reached the semifinal round for the second time in program history and first since 2002 with a 31-14 win at UW-Whitewater (12-1).
At Whitewater, the Warhawks, ranked No. 1 by the American Football Coaches Association and No. 2 by D3football.com, saw its 2016 season come to a close with a 31-14 setback against John Carroll (Ohio). The Warhawks (12-1 overall) drew to within 10 points with 10:51 to play following a 23-yard touchdown pass down the middle of the field from sophomore quarterback Cole Wilber to tight end Brent Campbell. After a three-and-out by the Blue Streaks (12-1) on the next possession, Wilber hit wide receiver Marcus Hudson down the right sideline for a 34-yard gain to set up a field goal attempt, which was missed wide right. John Carroll all but sealed the victory on a touchdown with 2:24 remaining in the contest. Wilber finished 12-of-34 passing for 116 yards and two touchdowns (one rushing, one passing). Drew Patterson posted 19 carries for 81 yards, and running back Josh Ringelberg tallied 128 all-purpose yards, including 73 on four punt returns. Next Saturday’s other semifinal will feature top-ranked University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) (13-0) opposing seventh-ranked and defending national champion University of Mount Union (Ohio) (12-1).
Game times and venues for the semifinal-round matchups will be announced on Sunday (Dec. 4). The semifinal winners will meet in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl on Dec. 16 in Salem, Va.
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