Box Score Box Score

STEVENS POINT – Webber International outgained the Pointers 253 to 177 on Saturday afternoon, but a solid defensive effort in the game's final minutes allowed the Pointers to hold off the Warriors, opening the 2008 season with a 23-21 win.

The UWSP defense came out strong in the game's opening drive, forcing a 3 play negative 11 yard drive that resulted in a Warrior punt. The Pointers then posted a seven play, 30 yard drive, highlighted by a Jared Beckwith (Baraboo/Baraboo) (Baraboo) pass completion to Aaron Leonhardt (Baraboo/Baraboo) (Baraboo) that put UWSP in range of Ryan Graboski (Woodbury, Minn./Woodbury) (Woodbury, Minn.) , who put the Pointers up 3-0 on a 33-yard field goal.

Grabowski added another field goal, this time from 36 yards out, after UWSP's Brian Bailey (New Lisbon/New Lisbon) (New Lisbon) recovered a Webber fumble forced by Brad Vickroy (Wisconsin Rapids/Lincoln) (Wis. Rapids/Lincoln), putting the Pointers on top 6-0.
Both teams traded drives that stalled out for the game's second quarter, with neither team able to capitalize on opportunities. Webber's Thomas Baertsch (New Smyrna Beach, Fla.) attempted a field goal with just under nine minutes remaining in the half, but missed wide right.

In the second half, Webber pieced together a 10 play, 97 yard drive to take a 7-6 lead with 2:20 left in the third quarter, their only lead of the game. On the play, Webber quarterback Daniel Lafleur (Stuart, Fla.) found Taylor Atwood (Davie, Fla.) for a 39-yard completion down the left sideline to paydirt.

The Pointers answered back an eight play, 31 yard drive that put Grabowski in range for a 26 yard field goal as UWSP regained the lead, one they did not relinquish.

On the ensuing drive, Webber went four-and-out, going for it on fourth down, but a stiff defensive, led by John Jones (Oregon/Oregon) (Oregon) and Brandon Stremkowski (Stevens Point/SPASH) (Stevens Point/SPASH) stuffed the rush by Daniel Croley (High Springs, Fla.), as Webber turned the ball over on downs.

The Pointers capitalized on the opportunity, as they drove down the field and Beckwith punched the ball in from one yard out, giving the Pointers a 16-7 advantage.

The Pointers added seven more points just two plays later as Stremkowski recovered a Lafleur fumble and T.C. Farber (Waunakee/Waunakee) picked up 22 of his 42 yards on the day on the Pointers first play, going around the right side and finding the end zone for a quick six points.

Webber would not go away quietly, however, as two drives later, the Warriors capitalized on a Beckwith fumble inside the 10 yard line and Lafleur ran the ball in for a 1 yard score. The two-point conversion failed, making the score 23-13 with just under eight minutes to play in the game.

Webber again capitalized on a UWSP turnover two drives later, as Lafleur found Sergio Rivera for a 19 yard touchdown with 3:03 remaining, cutting the lead to just two, 23-21. This time, the two-point conversion was good, cutting UWSP's lead to 23-21.

After a three-and-out by the Pointers, the defense again stepped up, as Bryan Blum (Baraboo/Baraboo) (Baraboo) intercepted Lafleur, sealing the victory for the Pointers.

For the Pointers, Beckwith finished the day going 18-for-30 for 154 yards and no touchdowns. Farber had 15 carries for 42 yards and one touchdown. Graboski was 3-for-4 on field goals, connecting from 33, 36 and 26 yards out. Brad Kalsow (Huntley, Ill./Huntley) (Huntley, Ill.) was the Pointers leading receiver on the day, snagging seven balls for 77 yards.

On defense, Tyler Florczak (Chetek/Chetek) (Chetek) led the day for the Pointer defense, registering 11 tackles, four solo. Stremkowski added 10 and Charlie Dercks (Little Chute/Little Chute) (Little Chute) had nine, including two tackles for a loss of seven yards.

For Webber, Atwood led the day on the ground, posting 21 carries for a net of 36 yards. Lafleur was 14-for-24 through the air, throwing for 151 yards and two touchdowns. Jamal Carr (Orange Park, Fla.) was the Warriors' leading receiver, catching six passes for 43 yards.

On defense for the Warriors, Brezhnev Thorpe led the way with 10 tackles, five solo, three tackles for a loss of 19 yards, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and 2.5 sacks for a loss of 19 yards. Yannick Brown added nine tackles and one tackle-for-loss.

UWSP (1-0) opens the season with a victory for the second straight year. The Pointers face Iowa Wesleyan next Saturday, Sept. 13 at Community Stadium at Goerke Park. Webber International (0-2) returns home to Lake Wales, Fla. for their home opener, as they host St. Pauls College of Virginia on Sept. 13.