DE PERE, Wis. - The UW-Stevens Point football team opened the 2016 season with a 37-14 win over St.Norbert today at Schneider Stadium.
The Pointers scored every quarter with senior quarter back,
Kyle Larson (Clayton, WI/Clayton) leading the way. Larson completed 19-35 passes for 238 yards, including five touchdowns.Â
In the first quarter, in their second possession, UWSP put together a 10-play, 91 yard drive to put the first points on the board. Larson connected to
Jared Pankow (Mosinee, WI/D.C. Everest) for 39 yards, putting the Pointers in prime field position. Five plays later, running back
Christian Almonte (Menomonee Falls, WI/Menomonee Falls) found the end zone with a four yard pass from Larson.
UWSP tacked on 14 more points in the second quarter to lead, 20-0. In just a little over four minutes and two offensive drives, UWSP combined for two scores going into halftime.Â
The Pointers defense stifled the Green Knights in in the first half, holding them to zero points and just 53 yards.Â
After the intermission, the defense continued their dominance holding St. Norbert to a quick three and out. UWSP favored the run choosing to rush four of the six plays called. It was on a pass, however, that led to a Pointer touchdown. Larson threw his third touchdown to
Darin Ward (Fond du Lac, WI/St. Mary's Springs) for the 19 yard score.
Half way through the third quarter, St. Norbert strung a three play, 48 yard scoring drive to get on the scoreboard. The drive was aided by a Pointer pass interference call, but the Green Knights still trailed, 27-7 at the end of the quarter.
The Pointers added to their lead going up 30-7 at the beginning of the fourth quarter. The Green Knights added a touchdown in the final minutes of the quarter, but were unable to come back from the deficit set early on by the Pointers.
UWSP combined for 401 total yards offensively can while holding St. Norbert to 177 yards.Â
This is the first time the two teams have met in nearly 20 years. The Pointers defeated the Green Knights, 31-20 in 1989.Â
The Pointers host Albion College for their home opener, Sat., September 10 in the Spud Bowl. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. at Community Stadium.Â