Ninth-ranked Thunder football team drops a 21-14 decision at UW-Oshkosh in the season opener

Oshkosh, Wis. – The ninth-ranked Thunder football team opened the 2024 season on Saturday afternoon at UW-Oshkosh. The Titans, trailing by one point with less than a minute remaining in the fourth quarter, scored the go-ahead touchdown with 16-seconds left in the game to earn a 21-14 victory against Wheaton.

Wheaton recorded 315 yards of total offense, with 232 passing yards and 83 rushing yards. The Titans tallied 319 yards of total offense, with 273 yards through the air and 46 yards on the ground.

The Thunder defense impressed in much of the game, with five sacks on the day. Defensive lineman Isaac Parrish registered 11 total tackles, including one sack, and a forced fumble. Rex Kroger made eight total tackles, including four solos, in his Thunder debut with a fumble recovery. Colin Moore had eight total tackles and recovered a fumble. Defensive lineman Peter Johanik was in the Titans' backfield much of the afternoon with two sacks (-15 yards), among his five total tackles. Johnny Eller and Caleb McClung each added five total tackles. Luca Torti added a key quarterback sack in the game and Nate Tofilon had an interception to his credit.

Thunder quarterback Mark Forcucci, a transfer from Holy Cross, made his Wheaton debut with 232 passing yards on 24 completions of his 33 passing attempts with one touchdown toss. Seth Kortenhoeven (PICTURED LEFT) was Forcucci's top receiving target with seven catches for 51 yards. Tight end Ben Juska caught five passes for 45 yards. Running back Giovanni Weeks had 59 rushing yards on 17 carries, with one touchdown run.

Neither team scored in the first quarter of today's matchup. The Titans scored the first touchdown of the game as UW-Oshkosh quarterback Quentin Keen connected with receiver Trae Tetzlaff on a long 63-yard touchdown pass. The Titans converted the PAT kick to give the hosts a 7-0 lead with 14:51 remaining in the second quarter. Wheaton responded late in the second quarter with a 14-play drive of 93 yards. The Thunder drive culminated with a five-yard touchdown pass by Forcucci to Ben Bonga. Mateo Jesch kicked the PAT kick to tie the game at 7-7 with 1:53 remaining in the second quarter. Keene threw a 65-yard touchdown pass to Jon Mathieu just three plays later, on the Titans' drive that followed Bonga's touchdown. Wheaton blocked the hosts' PAT kick that followed as UW-Oshkosh led 13-7 at the halftime intermission.

Wheaton took the opening kickoff of the second half, and the Thunder responded with a 13-play drive of 70 yards. Weeks reached the end zone on a one-yard touchdown run to conclude the drive and Jesch converted the PAT kick as Wheaton gained its first lead with a 14-13 advantage with 7:39 remaining in the third quarter.

The Titans trailed 14-13 with 4:21 left in the fourth quarter when the hosts started their final drive of the game. The Thunder defense had a strong effort in forcing fourth-and-13 at the Titans' 36-yard line. Keene's pass attempt was incomplete, and it appeared that the ball would be turned over on downs, however, a pass interference call against Wheaton kept the hosts' drive alive. On the next play, the Titans converted a 30-yard pass play to reach the red zone. Oshkosh running back Justice Lovelace reached the endzone five plays later with a one-yard touchdown run. The Titans' converted the two-point conversion to take a 21-14 lead with 16-seconds remaining in regulation. Wheaton had two play attempts in the final eight seconds but was unable to reach the end zone as UW-Oshkosh recorded the win.

Wheaton is off next Saturday and returns to action on September 21. The Thunder will host Augustana at 6:00 p.m. on September 21 in the home opener and CCIW opener for the 'Orange and Blue'.