Box Score Box Score

STEVENS POINT - The UW-Stevens Point football team captured a share of its 14th Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title and clinched a playoff berth as they defeated the Eagles of UW-La Crosse 21-7 at Community Stadium Saturday afternoon.

The Pointers held the Eagles offense to just 120 yards and used three touchdown receptions by Brad Kalsow (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) (Huntley, Ill.) to seal up their first conference title since 2001.

On a cold and blustery afternoon at Goerke Park, the Pointers got on the board first late in the first quarter when Jared Beckwith (Baraboo/Baraboo) (Baraboo) hit Kalsow for a 12-yard touchdown pass to give the Pointers a 7-0 advantage.

But the Eagles tied things up in the second quarter when Gus Almonroeder caught an 8-yard touchdown pass from Nick Anker to make it 7-7.

On the ensuing Pointer possession, Beckwith took the Pointers offense 59 yards in 44 seconds when he threw his second touchdown pass to Kalsow for 19 yards to give the Pointers a 14-7 lead at the half.

The second half was all about the Pointers defense, as they forced three turnovers and did not allow a point.

The Eagles opening possession in the second half ended quickly as Bryan Blum (Baraboo/Baraboo) (Baraboo) picked off Anker to keep the momentum with the Pointers.

After a couple of punts by each team, the Pointers extended their lead when Beckwith threw his third touchdown pass to Kalsow on a 9-yard pitch and catch to extend the Pointers lead to 21-7.

Both teams went scoreless in the fourth quarter, as the Pointers used an interception by Luke Frisch (Nekoosa/Nekoosa) (Nekoosa), a fumble recovery by John Jones (Oregon/Oregon) (Oregon), and a turnover on downs to keep La Crosse at bay.

The Pointers will return to action in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs at time and location that is yet to-be-determined.