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Pointers
Rally Past UW-Eau Claire in Double OT for NCAA Bid
Box
Score
Ricardo Vega kicked a 21-yard field goal in double overtime to cap
a UW-Stevens Point second half rally and put the Pointers into the NCAA
Division III playoffs with a thrilling 30-27 victory over UW-Eau Claire
Saturday in Stevens Point.
UW-Stevens Point tied the Blugolds atop the WIAC standings with 5-2
records, giving the Pointers their third WIAC title in four seasons.
UW-Stevens Point gains the league�s NCAA berth by virtue of Saturday�s
win. The Pointers, who tied for last place in the league last season,
become the second consecutive WIAC school to go from worst to first after
UW-Stout accomplished the feat last season. Both of UW-Eau Claire�s
losses this season came in double overtime, having also lost to UW-River
Falls.
The Pointers trailed 20-10 at halftime and UW-Eau Claire was
driving in the third quarter before UW-Stevens Point stopped the Blugolds
on downs with 6:02 left in the quarter. Nine plays later, Jason
VanderVelden scored a four-yard touchdown with one minute left in the
quarter to pull the Pointers to within 20-17.
Pointers� free safety Dillon Maney made one of his three
interceptions of the game on the Blugolds� next possession, resulting in
a 21-yard field goal by Vega to tie the game at 20-20.
UW-Eau Claire running back Darrell Souhrada had a huge day with 162
yards on 37 carries, but the Pointer defense controlled the senior back in
the fourth quarter, holding him to just 17 yards on his last 12 carries of
the game. Souhrada also became the all-time leading rusher in WIAC history
early in the first quarter.
UW-Stevens Point had an opportunity to win the game in regulation,
but the Blugolds� Bob Schmidt blocked Vega�s 27-yard field goal
attempt with 41 seconds left.
The Pointers had the first possession in overtime and scored in
five plays as Lance Gast plunged in from one yard out for a 27-20 lead.
UW-Eau Claire responded with a five-yard pass from Brian Rasmussen to Brad
Newton to tie the game. During the drive, the Blugolds converted a
fourth-and-13 play when Rasmussen hit Jason Foemmel for an 18-yard gain.
In the second overtime, Rasmussen fumbled after he was sacked by
UW-Stevens Point�s Paul Schmitt on a third-and-10 play. Pointers�
defensive tackle David Rogers recovered to halt the Blugolds� drive.
UW-Stevens Point then used six rushing plays to drive to the
four-yard line and set up Vega�s game-winner. It was the first career
game-winning field goal for the senior from Palm Springs, Calif., who was
eight-for-10 on field goals this season.
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