UWO can't hold big lead against Mount Union, falls in national semifinal

OSHKOSH – Momentum is fickle by nature.

It can bring the ultimate exhilaration one minute, then, without warning, elicit gut-wrenching disappointment. There is no sure way to corral it, yet once its lost it can be near impossible to regain.

The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh had everything going its way early in the second half against second-ranked Mount Union, building a 25-point advantage behind big plays, stifling defense and the focused energy of an entire program’s desire to return to the Stagg Bowl.

But then momentum changed and it will be the Purple Raiders returning to Salem, Va., next week.

The Titans couldn’t derail the nation’s best offense once it got rolling midway through the third quarter and Mount Union scored 33 points in the final 25 minutes to end UWO’s hopes of going back to the national title game in a wild 43-40 NCAA Division III national semifinal on J.J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.

“We were up 35-10 and they proved why they are champions,” UWO head coach Pat Cerroni said. “It’s unfortunate when you get to this level someone has to go home. We’re the one’s going home. But I’m proud of the team.

“It sucks to go out this way, but that’s the way it is. That’s life.”

It was the second straight appearance in the national semifinals for the Titans. A year ago, the Titans lost to Mary Hardin-Baylor, 10-7, in the national championship, but this three-point loss may sting worse and hurt longer.

In this one, the Titans had seized control of the contest only to see Mount Union completely turn the tables and rally for the win.

“These guys, they lost by three points to Mary Hardin-Baylor and by three points to these guys in the last two years. I think that’s pretty good football,” Cerroni said. “We’ve proven ourselves around the country and we’re going to reload to do it again.”

Mount Union took its first lead since the first quarter with 5:41 remaining when Jawanza Evans-Morris powered in from 1-yard out following an interception.

Titan quarterback Brett Kasper – who had not been picked off in the three previous postseason games – was intercepted again on the ensuing possession but the defense forced a punt and UWO took over at their own 15 yard line with 2:24 to go.

“I was very confident. We were ready for the situation and everyone was positive,” said Mentkowski, who caught seven passes for 190 yards and became the school’s all-time leader in career touchdown receptions with 27. “We made some good plays and put ourselves in a good spot. Just getting the kick off was pretty crazy.”

UWO converted one fourth down when Dom Todarello made a miraculous catch for 14 yards along the left sideline – a catch that had to be called good by instant replay after being ruled incomplete – and then did it again on a 10-yard pass to Chad Redmer.

Kasper then connected with Todarello again for 20 yards, with the UWO receiver getting out of bounds with one second left at the Mount Union 28-yard line.

But after Mount Union called a timeout before Turner Geistahrdt could get off his first try at a game-tying field goal, the actual attempt missed the mark as time expired.

“It was going to come down to the end. We had the wind, we had what we wanted and at least we got the kick off,” Cerroni said. “It might not have gone through, but we were right there.”

For the third straight week, the Titans fell behind 7-0 before coming storming back.

Dylan Hecker’s 13-yard touchdown run on the first play of the second quarter tied the score, while Mentkowski and Todarello each hauled in touchdown passes from Kasper later in the period.

All three scores had one thing in common – big plays.

Hecker’s run came three plays after Kasper and Mentkowski connected on a 72-yard pass play from the Titans’ 2-yard line, while Mentkowski’s touchdown came on an 86-yard pass.

“Those are shot plays so you don’t know if you are going to get them or not,” said Kasper, who finished 17-of-31 for 297 yards. “I just put it up to Sam and let him make a play and that’s what he did.”

Todarello set up his own touchdown – a 17-yard pass that he hauled in at the back of the end zone with 54 seconds left in the half – with a 73-yard kickoff return

UWO added to its lead when Cole Yoder returned an interception 42 yards for a touchdown on the second play of the half and then took a 35-10 lead with 9:46 left in the third quarter on a 43-yard run by Mitch Gerhartz.

That’s when momentum changed.

Mount Union rattled off three touchdowns in a 4-minute, 50-second span to pull within 35-30 and followed a Geisthardt field goal with another score to get within two. But on the two-point conversion play, the Purple Raiders fumbled and Derrick Jennings Jr. scooped the ball up and rumbled 98 yards for a two-point play and a 40-36 lead.

“In the first half, things just went our way. We had the momentum and were making plays,” said linebacker Jon Kallas. “The second half … they have a great team and they started making plays.”

Mount Union 7 3 20 13 – 43

UW-Oshkosh 0 21 14 5 – 40

Scoring summary:

MU – Josh Petruccelli, 2 run (Alex Louthan kick).

UWO – Dylan Hecker, 13 run (Turner Geisthardt kick).

UWO – Sam Mentkowski, 86 pass from Brett Kasper (Geisthardt kick).

MU – FG, Louthan, 23.

UWO – Dom Todarello, 17 pass from Kasper (Geisthardt kick).

UWO – Cole Yoder, 42 interception return (Geisthardt kick).

UWO – Mitch Gerhartz, 43 run (Geistardt kick).

MU – Luke Herrington, 3 pass from D’Angelo Fulford (Louthan kick).

MU – Fulford, 13 run (Louthan kick).

MU – Jawanza Evans-Morris, 2 run (pass failed).

UWO – FG, Geisthardt, 36.

MU – Petrucelli, 1 run (pass failed).

UWO – Derrick Jennings Jr., (98 extra point return)

MU – Evans-Morris, 1 run (Louthan kick).

Individual leaders:

RUSHING: MU – Josh Petrucelli 27-132. UWO – Dylan Hecker 15-92, Mitch Gerhartz, 3-73.

PASSING: MU – D’Angelo Fulford 28-42-1-330. UWO – Brett Kasper 17-31-2-297.

RECEIVING: MU – Jared Ruth 11-130, Justin Hill 6-102, Luke Herrington 5-54. UWO – Sam Mentkowski 7-190, Dom Todarello 4-65.