LA CROSSE, Wis. – The UW-Stevens Point football team (2-4, 1-2) trailed 42-0 in the second quarter and were unable to complete a comeback in a 63-27 loss at UW-La Crosse (4-2, 2-1) on Saturday night.
 
Freshman quarterback Max Herro (Dousman, Wis./Kettle Moraine) found some rhythm in the second half.  He rushed for a touchdown and threw another in the fourth quarter.  He completed 17 passes for 191 yards.
 
Senior Christian Almonte (Menomonee Falls, Wis./Menomonee Falls) got the Pointers on the board with a 97-yard kickoff return for a touchdown, the third longest scoring play in program history.  Almonte was also Herro's primary target with six catches for 80 yards.
 
James Fay (Elgin, Ill./Central) returned an interception for a touchdown, UWSP's lone takeaway in the game.  Juleyan Givens (Bolingbrook, Ill./Plainfield East) led the Pointers' defense with 15 tackles.  UWSP's leading tackler, Ryan Strick (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley), added 11 tackles.
 
The Eagles scored twice in the first quarter to take a 14-0 lead.  Late in the first quarter, the UWSP defense stopped a fourth down attempt as Strick tackled the receiver in the backfield.
 
In the second quarter, UWL found the end zone on four-straight possessions, including a blocked punt returned for a touchdown. 
 
Down 42-0, Almonte took the ensuing kickoff 97 yards to the house to get UWSP on the board.  UWL drove once more for a touchdown as UWSP was behind 49-6 at the half.
 
UWL added another touchdown in the third quarter.  The Pointers moved the ball, but two lost fumbles ended a couple of successful drives.
 
On the first possession of the fourth quarter, Herro capped a 12-play, 80-yard drive with his first career rushing touchdown. 
 
Fay picked off a pass on the next UWL possession and returned it 35 yards for a touchdown to pull UWSP within 56-21.
 
After UWL drove for another touchdown, Herro began a lengthy drive of his own.  He ran for 12 yards and completed a 35-yard pass to Almonte to set up first and goal.  Two plays later, he hit Jahi Stigall (Chicago, Ill./DePaul College Prep) for a 5-yard touchdown to close out the scoring.
 
The Pointers return home to take on UW-Stout next Saturday (Oct. 20).  Kickoff is slated for 1:00 p.m. and it will be UWSP's annual Homecoming game.