Box Score Box Score

AZUSA, Calif. - The Pointer football team fell behind early to the Cougars of Azusa Pacific and were unable to overcome a 16-0 halftime deficit as the Pointers were sent home from California with a 23-7 loss on Saturday evening.

Azusa jumped out to the early 3-0 lead with 4:58 remaining in the first quarter when Ben Hansen capped a 13 play, 57 yard drive with a 17 yard field goal. Near the end of the first quarter the Cougars added another field goal, this time from 53 yards out, capitalizing off a Jared Beckwith (Baraboo) fumble, to take a 6-0 advantage.

The Cougars defense again put the team in position for another field goal, this time from 29 yards, as Jay York intercepted a Beckwith pass near the Azusa endzone to regain possession and take advantage, pushing the score to 9-0.

After another Cougar stop on the Pointer offense, the found the endzone after a five play, 62 yard drive, capped by a Chris Brown rush from four yards out with just :51 remaining in the first half.

On their first possession of the second half, Azusa again marched down the field and this time, Brown punched the ball in from two yards out for his second rushing touchdown of the day, capping a 10 play, 80 yard drive to give the host Cougars a 23-0 advantage.

At the start of the fourth quarter, the Pointer defense put the team's only points on the board, as Kyle Krueger (Stanley/Stanley-Boyd) forced a Justin Jones fumble, which Joe Mleziva (Casco), the reigning Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Defensive Athlete of the Week, returned 61 yards to the house for a touchdown. Andrew Clohan (Stevens Point/SPASH)'s (Stevens Point) kick made the score 23-7.

On the day, Beckwith finished 17-32 for 145 yards and two interceptions. Jared Jenkins (Milwaukee/Rufus King) caught 10 passes for 84 yards and Anthony Aker (Milwaukee) caught two passes for 30 yards. On the ground, Mike Ferron (Racine) led the Pointers with 11 carries for 45 yards, a 4.1 yard average.

On defense, Matt Lunder (Waunakee) led the way with 11 tackles, 3.5 for a loss of 11 yards and also forced one fumble while John Jones (Oregon) and Mleziva each tallied 10 tackles for the Pointers.

The Pointers (1-2) open WIAC play on Saturday, Oct. 3 when they host UW-Eau Claire in the 23rd annual Spud Bowl at Community Stadium at Goerke Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. Fans are encouraged to visit the Spuds 'n Suds picnic at the park after the game.