On Oct. 25, 2025, at Roger Harring Stadium, the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team matched up against its opponent, the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans, in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) bout. The Eagles would have a record of 4-1 going into the game; however, they would be looking to get back into the win column after a loss to fellow WIAC team University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Oct. 18.
Prior to the game, Eagles fourth-year safety Sam Baumgard commented, “Our conference is very good and it’s very physical…So you’re not really getting cupcake games, and that’s tough, you know. It takes a toll on you mentally and physically.”
Besides a tough opponent, the Eagles would also have to overcome a roster depleted by injuries after some difficult games. Despite these setbacks, a strong team culture and next man up mentality helps the team overcome those challenges.
“I think we have a good culture and it’s the nature of the game where if someone gets an injury, people have to step up…I would say that’s the way that our team is, even when they’re in a tough situation personally, they do a good job getting the next guy ready and having a good attitude about it,” said third-year wide receiver Jack Janke prior to the game.
Refocused and recharged, the Eagles would be looking to make a statement in the opening quarter against the Oshkosh Titans.
“We obviously had a tough game against Platteville. But we were immediately refocused and were doing everything we can this week to take down Oshkosh,” said Janke.
The Eagles proved they were doing everything they could as the offense ignited early on their opening drive. The team would go 75 yards in less than two minutes, capping off the drive with a 63-yard touchdown pass from fourth-year quarterback Kyle Haas to fourth-year receiver Marko Rajkovic to take the lead 7-0.
After a Titans field goal to shrink the lead 7-3 the Eagles would break out some trickery on their next score. After a reverse sweep, second-year wide receiver Nolan Wulf would catch a touchdown from fellow receiver, fourth-year player Tyler Bowman, to extend the lead 14-3 with two minutes remaining in the first quarter.
“Yeah, so since this summer, I’ve been practicing my throwing skills and sending videos to coach Yaeggi in hopes that something like that might come about,” commented Bowman after the game.
The Eagles didn’t just show out on the offensive side of the ball; the defense proved to be just as tenacious. On Oshkosh’s next drive, The Eagles stopped them on a fourth down, handing the ball right back over to UWL. The defense played well for the entirety of the game. Oshkosh only gained 271 yards of total offense compared to the Eagles’ output of 515 yards. The Eagles also kept Oshkosh contained on a down-to-down basis, only allowing three of 13 third-down conversions and forced seven punts on the day.
“In the past, there’s been lulls in our offense and defense, and we just need to stay constant no matter what happens…I think if we do that, then we can come out with the win on Saturday,” said Baumgard.
The Eagles’ offense continued to stay constant as after the stop, Haas found Janke on a six-yard touchdown pass to Janke to extend the lead 21-3 with 11:50 remaining in the second quarter. UWL kept pouring on the score as later in the quarter, Haas rushed in for a one-yard score to extend the lead 28-3. Oshkosh would kick another field goal as the half expired to bring the score to 28-6.
The third quarter would see more UWL offensive firepower with Haas connecting with Bowman for not one, but two touchdown passes in the third quarter, bringing the score to 42-6 entering the final quarter.
The Titans showed some life late, scoring a touchdown early in the fourth, bringing the score to 42-13. Following a safety, the Eagles were able to close out the Titans with a final score of 44-13.
The Eagles will continue their season on Nov.1 against WIAC opponent University of Wisconsin-Stout. More stats and information can be found by clicking on this link.
