SOUTH WAYNE - It's a busy time of year for Black Hawk alumnus Taylor Goodman - and it's not the Thanksgiving celebration or the Black Friday Christmas shopping spree.
Goodman is starring as middle linebacker for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh football team that is in the playoffs for the first time since 1976. He got some home cooking by returning to South Wayne for Thanksgiving even though he is in the midst of preparing for a NCAA Division III Championship second-round playoff game against Bethel University (Minn.) at noon Saturday at Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
"It's the playoffs now," Goodman said. "I will treat every game like it's my last one. It's kind of bittersweet."
UW-Oshkosh (11-0), ranked No. 5 by D3football.com, won the WIAC Conference to end UW-Whitewater's reign as three-time national champions. The Titan defense, ranked 12th in the country (14.2 points), is led by Goodman, who leads the team with 78 tackles and is the co-leader with 5.5 sacks. He has one interception and three forced fumbles. Goodman was named first team All-WIAC recently.
Goodman said it's great to have a home playoff game so he has a chance to play in front of family and friends.
It's been a historic season for Oshkosh. Not only did they end a 36-year playoff drought, but Goodman likes the Titans' chances of making a run to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship.
"Honestly, when we came into the season, we would be a good team," Goodman said. "I don't think any one of us thought we would still be in the second round of the playoffs."
Goodman starred at Black Hawk and the Warriors advanced to the Level 3 playoffs his senior year. He first went to UW-Whitewater and then transferred to Oshkosh after just one year at Whitewater.
"I knew I wasn't going to play football there," Goodman said of Whitewater. "I didn't like the school as much. I didn't want to lose a year of eligibility so I transferred to Oshkosh. I felt Oshkosh was a better fit."
Few were as motivated as Goodman to knock off Whitewater 28-13 in October. Goodman made nine tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in the win over Whitewater.
"Words can't describe how much that meant to me," he said. "I don't think anyone wanted to beat them as bad as I did. Going in and beating them on their home field was great."
Goodman is a double major in physical education and communications. He will complete his communications degree this spring. Goodman then plans to take an eight-week physical education course at Concordia College to finish his physical education degree.
He credits Black Hawk's football program for preparing him for the next level.
"Coach Cory Milz and Black Hawk did a great job of preparing me to play college football," he said.
Goodman was in the middle of a key defensive play in a 55-10 win over the College of St. Scholastica Nov. 17 in a first-round playoff game. He recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards before the football started scooting up near his shoulder pads. Before fumbling, he pitched the ball to Nick Jolin for a touchdown to give the Titans a 34-10 lead.
"It was a crazy play; that's for sure," he said.
UW-Oshkosh has forced 22 turnovers, including seven interceptions by Tim Filter. Bethel, a national semifinalist in 2007 and 2010, is making its seventh playoff appearance. The Royals are ranked 21st with their 9-2 overall record.
"Bethel is a very good team," Goodman said. "They are similar to La Crosse. We just have to execute on defense. We have to play fast and physical."
Goodman said the biggest challenge when he started playing college football was getting used to the speed of the game.
"I think I have made improvements and got bigger, faster and stronger," he said.
Goodman said the WIAC is one of the strongest conferences in Division III. He said Oshkosh is a contender for a national championship. Making the playoffs as a senior is an accomplishment he won't forget.
"It's right up there," Goodman said of making the playoffs compared to some of his other football accomplishments. "You can't compare high school to college. It's two totally different levels."
Goodman is starring as middle linebacker for the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh football team that is in the playoffs for the first time since 1976. He got some home cooking by returning to South Wayne for Thanksgiving even though he is in the midst of preparing for a NCAA Division III Championship second-round playoff game against Bethel University (Minn.) at noon Saturday at Keller Field at Titan Stadium.
"It's the playoffs now," Goodman said. "I will treat every game like it's my last one. It's kind of bittersweet."
UW-Oshkosh (11-0), ranked No. 5 by D3football.com, won the WIAC Conference to end UW-Whitewater's reign as three-time national champions. The Titan defense, ranked 12th in the country (14.2 points), is led by Goodman, who leads the team with 78 tackles and is the co-leader with 5.5 sacks. He has one interception and three forced fumbles. Goodman was named first team All-WIAC recently.
Goodman said it's great to have a home playoff game so he has a chance to play in front of family and friends.
It's been a historic season for Oshkosh. Not only did they end a 36-year playoff drought, but Goodman likes the Titans' chances of making a run to the Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl, the Division III national championship.
"Honestly, when we came into the season, we would be a good team," Goodman said. "I don't think any one of us thought we would still be in the second round of the playoffs."
Goodman starred at Black Hawk and the Warriors advanced to the Level 3 playoffs his senior year. He first went to UW-Whitewater and then transferred to Oshkosh after just one year at Whitewater.
"I knew I wasn't going to play football there," Goodman said of Whitewater. "I didn't like the school as much. I didn't want to lose a year of eligibility so I transferred to Oshkosh. I felt Oshkosh was a better fit."
Few were as motivated as Goodman to knock off Whitewater 28-13 in October. Goodman made nine tackles, one sack and one fumble recovery in the win over Whitewater.
"Words can't describe how much that meant to me," he said. "I don't think anyone wanted to beat them as bad as I did. Going in and beating them on their home field was great."
Goodman is a double major in physical education and communications. He will complete his communications degree this spring. Goodman then plans to take an eight-week physical education course at Concordia College to finish his physical education degree.
He credits Black Hawk's football program for preparing him for the next level.
"Coach Cory Milz and Black Hawk did a great job of preparing me to play college football," he said.
Goodman was in the middle of a key defensive play in a 55-10 win over the College of St. Scholastica Nov. 17 in a first-round playoff game. He recovered a fumble and returned it 14 yards before the football started scooting up near his shoulder pads. Before fumbling, he pitched the ball to Nick Jolin for a touchdown to give the Titans a 34-10 lead.
"It was a crazy play; that's for sure," he said.
UW-Oshkosh has forced 22 turnovers, including seven interceptions by Tim Filter. Bethel, a national semifinalist in 2007 and 2010, is making its seventh playoff appearance. The Royals are ranked 21st with their 9-2 overall record.
"Bethel is a very good team," Goodman said. "They are similar to La Crosse. We just have to execute on defense. We have to play fast and physical."
Goodman said the biggest challenge when he started playing college football was getting used to the speed of the game.
"I think I have made improvements and got bigger, faster and stronger," he said.
Goodman said the WIAC is one of the strongest conferences in Division III. He said Oshkosh is a contender for a national championship. Making the playoffs as a senior is an accomplishment he won't forget.
"It's right up there," Goodman said of making the playoffs compared to some of his other football accomplishments. "You can't compare high school to college. It's two totally different levels."
