OSHKOSH, Wis.-- The No. 15/18 Wartburg football team fell 41-27 to No 3/3 UW-Oshkosh Saturday in the Elite Eight round of the NCAA Playoff. The Knights end the season 12-1, while the Titans improved to 13-0.

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The Orange and Black took the early lead as junior Matt Sacia (Eldridge) ended the drive on a  a three-yard score with 7:09 left.

UWO answered on its next drive to knot it at seven all, and then took the 13-7 lead on a 43-yard touchdown pass as it took advantage of a Wartburg turnover. The point after attempt was no good, which made the score 13-7.

Senior Jordan Johnson (Faribault, Minn.) cut the lead to three on his 25-yard field goal with 8:04 left in the second, to make the score 13-10.

The Titans added to their margin on their ensuing drive which was capped by a 29-yard TD pass.

The Knights had fourth and one on the five-yard line. Sophomore Matt Mulford (New Hampton) was by himself in the back of the end zone as Sacia found him to make it 20-17 with 1:03 left in the second.

UWO had time for one play as time expired in the first half. The Hail Mary attempt was knocked down senior Chris McNutt (Solon) to hold the score at 20-17 at the break.
 
Johnson made his second field goal of the day on the Orange and Black's second drive of the third quarter to tie the game again, this time at 20 all with 8:15 left in the frame.

The Titans scored 21 unanswered points over the duration of the third and halfway into the fourth quarter to take the 41-20 lead.

Senior Riley Brockway (Postville) added to his single-season leading pass receptions and receiving yards total with his five-yard TD catch for Wartburg's final score of the day. He finished with 82 yards on eight catches. Classmate Griffin Brennecke (Marion) matched his receiving yards on six receptions.

Sophomore Dylan Binion (Albany, Ill.) led the team on the ground with 77 yards.

Sacia finished with 263 yards, and was 25-36. He has finished with triple-digit passing yards in 19-straight games and in 21 of his last 22, which dates back to last season.

Senior Tony Anstoetter (Farley) led the defense with 14 total tackles, which included a career-high 12 solo stops.

The Knights tied the program's record for season wins (12), postseason wins (2) and games played (13).

Post Game Press Conference