Box Score
STEVENS POINT – A few early dropped passes and several penalties in key situations proved to be too much for the UW-Stevens Point (5-3, 4-1) football team to overcome against the second-ranked UW-Whitewater Warhawks (8-0, 5-0).
The Pointers fell behind 21-0 early in the second quarter when Levell Coppage ran for a three yard touchdown with 14:14 remaining. The Pointers answered with their first score of the contest with eight minutes left in the second quarter when quarterback
Jared Beckwith (Baraboo) connected with main target
Jared Jenkins (Milwaukee) for a 93 yard touchdown pass. The touchdown reception was Jenkins’ 11th of the season.
The Warhawks looked to add to their 21-6 lead late in the half but defensive back
Joe Mleziva (Casco) picked off Warhawk quarterback Jeff Donovan in the last seconds of the half, keeping the lead at just 15 points in Whitewater’s favor.
The Pointers tried to ride the momentum of the late first half interception into the second half, but a five minute opening Warhawk drive put the Pointers down 28-6. The Warhawks would capitalize on several Pointer penalties and a blocked punt throughout the third quarter, to stretch their lead to a 38-6 advantage leading into the fourth quarter.
The Pointers flashed some signs of life when Beckwith connected with
David Hammer (Ashwaubenon) with 13:48 remaining in the fourth quarter for a six yard touchdown pass. The Pointers ensuing two-point conversion failed, making the score 38-12 Warhawks.
The Warhawks added three points late in the contest, pushing the score and would be final to 41-12. The win puts the Warhawks in great position to win another Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship heading into the postseason.
The Pointers were led on offense by Beckwith, who finished with 256 yards and two touchdowns on 18-33 passing. Jenkins hauled in six catches for 146 yards and one touchdown.
The Pointers were led on defense by
John Jones (Oregon)’ 15 tackles, six of which were solo.
Mike Krueger (Wauwatosa) added 10 tackles and two broken up passes. Reigning WIAC Defensive Player of the Week
Matt Lunder (Waunakee) added a sack for the Pointer defense and finished with 10 tackles from his defensive end position.
The Pointers return to action next week Saturday, Nov. 7, when they host UW-River Falls in a WIAC battle. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m. at Community Stadium at Goerke Field for Parents/Senior Day.