Mount Union rallies to shock UW Oshkosh 43-40 in D-III semis

By: Kevin Holden Twitter

Posted: Dec 9, 2017 8:25 PM CDT

OSHKOSH, Wis. (AP) -- Josh Petruccelli and Jawanza Evans-Morris ran for two touchdowns each and second-seeded Mount Union rallied from 25 points down in the second half to defeat No. 3 Wisconsin-Oshkosh 43-40 on Saturday when the Titans missed a 46-yard field goal attempt on the final play of the D-III semifinal.

The Purple Raiders (14-0), in the semifinals for the 23rd straight year, go after their 13th title on Friday in the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl in Salem, Virginia. They face top-seeded Mary Hardin-Baylor (13-0).

D'Angelo Fulford threw for a touchdown and ran for another for Mount Union, who trailed 35-10 after the Titans (12-1) scored two quick touchdowns in the third quarter.

The Raiders rallied quickly with three touchdowns in less than five minutes but trailed 35-30 on a failed two-point conversion.

Oshkosh responded with a 35-yard field goal by Turner Geisthardt to make it 38-30 with 14:51 to play. Again Mount Union responded with Petruccelli scoring on a 1-yard run but Fulford fumbled on the tying two-point attempt and Derrick Jennings Jr. took it all the way back for a two-point defensive PAT and Oshkosh led 40-36 with 9:36 left.

A wild sequence set up the win with Louis Berry returning a Brett Kasper interception 20 yards to the Oshkosh 45. He fumbled but recovered the ball at the Oshkosh 40. Evans-Morris cashed in with a 1-yard run at 5:41.

Kasper was picked again but the defense held and the Titans got the ball back at their 15 with 2:24 to go. Converting two fourth downs and a third down, they got to the 28, where Geisthardt's field goal attempt came up short.

Fulford was 28 of 42 for 330 yards. Jared Ruth had 11 catches for 130 yards and Just Hill six for 102. Petruccelli ran for 132 yards and the Raiders finished with 542 yards.

Kasper, who entered the game with 32 touchdown passes and just four interceptions, threw for 297 yards and two scores but had the two late picks. Sam Mentkowski had seven receptions for 190 yards, including an 86-yard touchdown that helped Oshkosh take a 21-10 lead at the half.