MAYVILLE, N.D. – The UW-Stevens Point football team notched its first win with a 31-14 victory at Mayville State (0-2) in the Pointers' season opener.
 
The UWSP defense bent, but didn't break in the first half.  Then after a late interception by Jacob Morgan (Milwaukee, Wis./Thomas More) gave the Pointers a lead at the half, the Pointers shut out the Comets in the second half.  UWSP's defense held the Comets to 13 net rushing yards and racked up eight sacks.  Nine different Pointers recorded at least 0.5 sacks.  Dakota Carriveau (Oconto Falls, Wis./Oconto Falls) and Berkley Corvino (Weston, Wis./DC Everest) led the way with 2.5 apiece.
 
Max Herro (Dousman, Wis./Kettle Moraine) tossed three touchdown passes in his return after nearly two full years off the field.  He completed 20 of his 31 pass attempts for 261 yards.  He hit Devin Baldridge (Gilberts, Ill./Hampshire) and Joe Hare (Arlington Heights, Ill./St. Viatore) six times apiece and for three touchdowns.
 
Vercion Gammel (Milwaukee, Wis./Lincoln) lad all rushers with 73 yards on 12 carries.  He scored a touchdown as well in his collegiate debut.
 
The Pointers forced a fumble and recovered it on Mayville State's first offensive drive, but UWSP was unable to turn it into points.
 
Midway through the first quarter, the Comets took the lead on a 71-yard pass play.  The Pointers blocked the ensuing point after attempt turning momentum in UWSP's favor.
 
Herro went 4-for-4 on the next drive as UWSP drove 64 yards on seven plays.  Herro hooked up with Baldridge for the touchdown from 26 yards out and the PAT gave UWSP the 7-6 lead.
 
Early in the second quarter, the Pointers again forced a fumble and Gavin Tachick (Waunakee, Wis./Waunakee) jumped on the loose ball.  Herro ran for 13 yards and threw a 13-yard pass to Hare on the next two plays to put the Pointers up 14-6.
 
The Comets responded with a 15-play, 81-yard drive and a two-point conversion tied the game at 14.
 
Herro completed three passes and drove the Pointers 60 yards on eight plays.  Victor Ponterio (Melrose, Wis./Melrose-Mindoro) drilled a 32-yard field goal to put UWSP ahead just 29 seconds before halftime.
 
On the next offensive play, Morgan intercepted Mayville's Tim Salmon at the MSU 42.  Herro hit Hare for a 42-yard touchdown on the next play and the Pointers led 24-14 at the half.
 
Neither team was able to sustain a drive in the third quarter and UWSP maintained the 10-point advantage heading to the fourth. 
 
On UWSP's first possession of the fourth quarter, the Pointers went 77 yards on nine plays with Gammel punching it in from two yards out pushing the lead to 17.
 
The Pointers close out the two-game road trip to begin the season with a tilt at Simpson next Saturday (Sept. 11). Kickoff in Iowa is slated for 1:00 p.m.