CRAWFORDSVILLE, Ind. – The UW-Stevens Point football team (0-2) staying within striking distance, but ultimately came up short in a 16-13 defeat at Wabash (2-0) on Saturday.
 
Junior quarterback Matt Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) completed 17 of his 33 pass attempts despite the rainy conditions a Hollett Little Giant Stadium.  He hit Jonah Frier (Sheboygan Falls, Wis./Oostburg) five times for 87 yards, including the longest play of the day for 30 of those yards.
 
UWSP's running game was against held under 100 yards, netting just 64 on the day.  Jahi Stigall (Chicago, Ill./DePaul College Prep) rushed for 43 yards, but it was Urmanski's legs that scored the lone UWSP touchdown of the day.
 
The Pointers' defense was busy all game, led by senior Ryan Strick (Naperville, Ill./Waubonsie Valley), who made 18 tackles.  Fellow senior Michah Childs (Brookfield, Wis./East) added 10 tackles and forced a fumble.
 
On the first drive of the game, UWSP's defense halted the Little Giants' drive near midfield.  Junior Sam Shafer (Prescott, Wis./River Falls) blocked the ensuing punt and the Pointers took over at the Wabash 33-yard line.  Eight plays later, the UWSP drive stalled inside the five and freshman Victor Ponterio (Melrose, Wis./Melrose-Mindoro) converted the field goal for a 3-0 lead.
 
Wabash turned in the longest play of the game on the next drive, capping a four-play possession with a 54-yard touchdown pass to take a 7-3 lead.
 
The Pointers' defense turned in a three-and-out on the next Little Giants' possession.  Then late in the first quarter, OJ James (Milwaukee, Wis./Wisconsin Lutheran) picked off a pass to thwart a WC drive.
 
Three plays later, Urmanski returned the favor with his first pick of the game. UWSP's defense held firm though holding Wabash to a field goal attempt that was wide right. 
 
After a three-and-out by the Pointers, the defense again stood pat keeping the Little Giants out of the end zone.  For the second-straight possession, WC missed a field goal attempt.
 
Midway through the second, Omarri Johnson (Milwaukee, Wis./Riverside) intercepted the Wabash quarterback for the second time in the game.  Three plays later, UWSP punted the ball away.  On the ensuing possession, the Little Giants drove to the UWSP 10-yard line before converting a field goal for a 10-3 lead.
 
Late in the second quarter, Childs forced a fumble and UWSP took over at the Wabash 32.  A WC penalty advanced the ball far enough that Ponterio kicked a field goal as time expired to pull UWSP within 10-6 at the half.
 
Urmanski threw two picks and the Pointers lost a fumble in the third quarter, but UWSP's defense held Wabash off the scoreboard.  Three plays into the fourth, that changed as Wabash found the end zone.
 
The Pointers got the ball with 7:59 remaining and Urmanski completed four passes and benefitted from a Wabash penalty for first a goal at the two.  Two plays later, Urmanski found pay dirt as UWSP closed within 16-13. 
 
Wabash kept the ball the final five-plus minutes to prevail with the win.
 
UWSP returns home to face Dakota State next Saturday (Sept. 15) in the annual Spud Bowl.  Kickoff at Goerke Park is scheduled for 6:00 p.m.