Quarterback Nate Wara is the first Titan voted to the NCAA Division III All-America Team. The American Football Coaches Association selected one player at each position (25 total) for the squad.
Wara totaled 4,051 yards and 40 touchdowns as the leader of UW-Oshkosh's record-breaking offense. He posted 3,311 yards with 30 scores while completing 65 percent of his passes. Wara also rushed 185 times for 740 yards and 10 touchdowns. The Titans scored 525 points this year – an average of 37.5 per game.
In the season opener against Central College (Iowa), Wara threw for 275 yards and four touchdowns while running for 118 yards and two scores. He compiled a career-best 369 passing yards with four touchdowns as the Titans won at La Crosse for the first time in 45 years. Wara totaled 11 touchdowns during the playoffs, including three scoring throws against both The College of St. Scholastica (Minn.) and Bethel University (Minn.).
Wara started all 44 games the past four years, leading UW-Oshkosh to a 28-16 record. He ranks second in WIAC history in total offense (11,202 yards), third in passer rating (147.8), fourth in touchdown passes (80) and fifth in completions (750). Wara finished with 8,881 passing yards, in addition to 2,321 yards and 23 touchdowns rushing.
Wara, who ranks 13th in NCAA Division III history for total offense, is one of four finalists for the Gagliardi Trophy. The National Player of the Year award will be presented on Wednesday (Dec. 12) in Salem, Va. Wara already claimed Player of the Year honors for the WIAC and D3football.com's West Region.
UW-Oshkosh finished the season with a program-best 13 victories. The Titans made their first playoff appearance and advanced all the way to the national semifinals.
The AFCA All-America Team featured two other Wisconsin players with UW-La Crosse punter Christian Hallingstad and UW-Platteville defensive back Ryan McWethy. All-purpose man John Borsellino (Benedictine), cornerback Nick Driskill (Mount Union) and center Curtis James (St. Thomas) repeated from 2011.
Written by Jon Feyen, UW-Oshkosh Sports Information