STEVENS POINT, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point football team defeated Albion College in the 30^th annual Spud Bowl, 50-13 this evening, Saturday, Sept. 10 at Community Stadium.

The two high-powered offenses combined for a total of 908 yards, but the Pointers (2-0) prevailed totaling 474 yards on offense. The Pointers special teams also played a large role in the victory combining for 550 total yards, including a 91-yard kickoff return for touchdown from Christian Almonte (Menomonee Falls, WI/Menomonee Falls).

Albion's (0-2) first drive found success in a 16-play, 80-yard drive to put the Britons ahead, 3-0. Briton quarterback, Hamilton led the charge all the way down to the Pointers own 12 yard line, but UWSP held the Britons to just a field goal. The Pointers led for nearly the entire game, all but eight seconds. On the Britons' kickoff, Almonte ran back the kick for a 91-yard touchdown. Almonte's kickoff return is the fifth longest in Pointers' football history.

After holding Albion to a quick three and out, UWSP pieced together an 80-yard drive of their own. Kyle Larson (Clayton, WI/Clayton) targeted wide receiver, Jared Pankow (Mosinee, WI/D.C. Everest) three times, and the two connected for 13 yards for the score to put UWSP ahead 13-3.

For the second-straight game, the Pointers held their opponent to less than 20 points. In the second quarter, Albion gained yardage here and there on the Pointers, but the Pointers shut them down when they needed it the most. On 4-14 on the UWSP 43, the Pointers defense forced a punt, but Britton Vernon (Stillman Valley, IL/Stillman Valley) recovered the ball on the Albion 25 after the Pointers blocked the punt. A 25-yard pass from Larson to Logan Taylor (Wausau, WI/East) later, UWSP found themselves ahead on the scoreboard 20-3.

Two touchdowns were added to the UWSP score late in the second quarter as Almonte and Pankow continued to have career nights. In back-to-back series, Larson threw two long passes to Almonte (74 yards) and Pankow (64 yards) for scores increasing the Pointer lead 34-6 going into the half.

After a scoreless third quarter from both teams, UWSP added 16 more points, while the Britons finally found the end zone in the last few minutes of the game.
Pankow ended the evening with eight receptions for 144 yards and two touchdowns, while Almonte had three receptions for 99 yards, one touchdown receiving and one kickoff return.

The UW-Stevens Point football team continues non-conference play after a bye week on Sat., Sept. 24 at Adrian. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Docking Stadium.