After running for 23 yards on 32 attempts in a win over UW-Platteville last week, the UW-La Crosse football team churned out 275 yards on 47 carries to get past UW-Oshkosh 31-28 in front of a record Roger Harring Stadium crowd of 5,514 Saturday afternoon.
The ground game was on full display the last two offensive drives for UW-L (6-1, 4-0).
A 21-yard touchdown run from quarterback Keyser Helterbrand to make the score 31-21 with 9:31 remaining in the game, capped off a 9 play-75 yard drive which consisted of eight runs.
After UW-Oshkosh (4-3, 2-2) cut the lead to 31-28 with 4:26 remaining, the Eagles ran out the clock on 10 plays — including eight runs by Helterbrand and two kneel downs.
Helterbrand finished with 145 yards rushing on 17 carries and a touchdown, as well as 203 yards and two touchdowns through the air. The touchdowns went to Jack Studer and Tyler Bowman.
UWL running back Gabe Lynch had a career-high 102 yards and a touchdown.
Oshkosh quarterback Kobe Berghammer, who entered the game leading Division III with 26, threw three more along with 337 yards in the loss.
UWL will have senior day next week against UW-Eau Claire. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m.