MADISON, S.D. – The outcome was far from what was scripted as costly turnovers and an early deficit doomed the UW-Stevens Point football team (1-2) in a 38-21 loss at Dakota State (2-1) to close out non-conference play.
 
Senior quarterback Matt Urmanski (Edgar, Wis./Edgar) completed 22 passes for 269 yards and a touchdown.  He also ran for a touchdown.  Unfortunately, he also threw six interceptions and was sacked six times.
 
Of his 22 completions, Urmanski spread the wealth as nine UWSP receivers had catches.  Ernie LaSpisa (Wauwatosa, Wis./West) hauled in a team-high four receptions and has UWSP's lone TD through the air.
 
The Pointers' ground game was stifled by the Trojans.  UWSP rushed for a net 44 yards in the game.  ShamaJ Williams (Racine, Wis./Lutheran) picked up 38 yards on 19 carries and Jahi Stigall (Chicago, Ill./DePaul College Prep) gained 36 yards on nine carries with a touchdown.
 
Kameron Kryzanski (Thorp, Wis./Thorp) again led the UWSP defense in tackles with six.  A quartet of Pointers added five takedowns.
 
Three plays in, Urmanski threw his first pick of the game.  The Trojans needed just three plays to punch it in for a touchdown and a 7-0 lead.  On DSU's next possession, a 32-yard scamper put the hosts in front, 14-0.
 
Williams and Urmanski combined on the next Pointers' drive to move UWSP 75 yards on 11 plays.  The drive was capped by an 11-yard rumble to the end zone by Urmanski to cut the deficit to 14-7.
 
Dakota State kicked a field goal just before halftime and scored two touchdowns in the third quarter following interceptions to take a 31-7 lead over UWSP into the fourth quarter.
 
Early in the fourth quarter, Urmanski orchestrated a 14-play, 75-yard drive and hit LaSpisa from 16 yards out to make it a 31-14 game.
 
After the Trojans turned another interception into a touchdown, Urmanski and company went back to work.  A 12-play, 66-yard drive was punched in by Stigall on a two-yard run, but it was too little, too late for the Pointers.
 
UWSP will have a bye week before beginning conference play at Goerke Park on Oct. 5 against UW-River Falls.