Sixteen new starters will help the Central College football team open the season at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Saturday. It’s Central’s third straight season opener against Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the teams’ third meeting overall. Last year the Titans scored two touchdowns in the first five minutes and then held off a Dutch comeback attempt for a 31-28 victory in Oshkosh. In 2010, Central rallied with a 21-point second half for a 34-28 victory in Pella.

Both teams are receiving votes in this year’s D3football.com preseason poll. The Titans were 7-3 last year and took second in the loaded Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletics Conference, their highest league finish since 1976. They’re tabbed for second again this season. Meanwhile, Central also posted a 7-3 mark and finished tied for second in the Iowa Conference. Winners of a record 30 league titles, the Dutch are picked to finish fourth this year.

Saturday’s Central College football season opener will be broadcast live on 92.1 fm KRLS and streamed at kniakrls.com with veteran broadcaster Trevor Castle providing the play-by-play. Kickoff from J.J. Keller Field in Oshkosh, Wisconsin, is set for 1:00 p.m.