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UW-Stevens Point Football Preview  �

UW-Stevens Point (1-8) vs. Winona St. University (8-2)
HHH Metrodome (64,035) � Minneapolis, Minnesota
Saturday, November 11, 2000 - 11:15 am

Game Overview:

     The Pointers try to bounce back after their 12-game winning streak against UW-Eau Claire was snapped last weekend. The Pointers fell behind late in the first quarter, but rallied to trim the deficit going into halftime. The Blugolds added a pair of insurance scores in the fourth quarter to seal the win. Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference Champion Winona State went to overtime last week before prevailing over Minnesota-Duluth. Saturday�s game will be the last of the 2000 season for the Pointers.

Broadcast:

     The game can be seen live on Midwest Sports Channel. The game can be heard on WIZD (99.9 FM) radio with Scott Krueger calling the play-by-play and Ken Kulick providing the analysis.

The Coaches:

     UW-Stevens Point coach John Miech has an 84-43-2 record in his 13th season.

     Winona State coach Tom Sawyer is in his fifth season with the Warriors and has a 36-18 career record.

Series History:

     UW-Stevens Point and Winona State have never met in football in history. The Pointers are 11-4 all-time against the current members of the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference. The Pointers had won 14 straight games against NCAA Division II competition until a 28-21 overtime setback to Northern State in the season opener.

Pointer Update:

Last Saturday started well for the Pointers when running back Todd Goodman caught a 26-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Dave Berghuis to give the Pointers a 7-0 first quarter lead. The Blugolds rallied quickly however aided by a Pointer interception to score 24 unanswered points and take control of the game. The Pointers responded with a Ricardo Vega field goal and a seven-yard touchdown run by Berghuis to cut the Blugolds lead to 24-17 at halftime. But, a pair of fourth quarter touchdowns put the game away 38-17 in favor of the Blugolds.

    The Pointers piled up 428 yards of total offense, thanks in large part to Berghuis�s 179 passing yards. Todd Goodman pulled down four passes for 119 yards. Jonah Roth and Dillon Maney each had an interception to lead the Pointers defense.

Warrior Update:

The Warriors used the big play to their advantage, but it was a five-yard touchdown pass from Andy Nett to Jeff Dobbertin that gave the Warriors a 34-31 overtime victory over UM-Duluth. Winona State score each of their first four touchdowns from at least 24 yards away. Nett threw touchdown passes of 24 yards and 65 yards to Kevin Curtin and Dobbertin in the first quarter, but the Warriors saved the real fireworks for the second quarter. Following a Bulldog touchdown which tied the game, Curtin took the ensuing kickoff 100 yards for a score. On the next drive, Jesse Isom stepped in front of a Bulldog pass and returned it 78 yards for a touchdown. The Warriors led 28-21 at the half.

The Bulldogs tied the game in the fourth quarter and took the lead with a field goal in overtime, but Nett and Dobbertin hooked for their second touchdown of the day to end the game.

Dome Away From Home:

The Pointers aren�t likely to move from Goerke Field anytime soon, but they probably wouldn�t mind playing a few more games indoors. The Pointers are 2-0 all-time at the Metrodome. Last season, the Pointers used a late rally to beat Bemidji State 35-23. UW-Stevens Point beat Southwest State 28-16 at the Metrodome in 1998. 

Bowl Game:

     While the Pointers will wrap up their campaign Saturday, Winona State will have at least one game remaining. If the Warriors do not receive a bid to the NCAA Division II play-offs, they will meet the highest-ranked non-playoff team from the Mid-America Intercollegiate Athletic Association in the Mineral Water Bowl. The Mineral Water Bowl will take place December 2, 2000 in Excelsior Springs, Missouri.

Game Notes:

     The Pointers and the Warriors have two common opponents this season. Both teams played Northern State University this year, and both games ended with identical 28-21 overtime scores. The Warriors defeated Northern State however, while the Pointers lost to the Wolves in their season opener. Each team also played UW-La Crosse. Winona State won that game 27-9 while the Pointers fell to the Eagles 20-7... Both of Winona State�s previous two games, versus Northern State and UM-Duluth, have gone to overtime� Pointer junior Heath Novitzke leads the WIAC in tackles this year. He has 93 total tackles in nine games for an average of 10.3 tackles per game. 39 of his tackles have been unassisted and he also has two sacks... Senior running back Todd Goodman gained a career high in receiving yards, just one week after breaking his career high in rushing yards. Goodman caught four passes for 117 yards last week, and 88 yards rushing the week before� Eight Pointer seniors will play in their final game Saturday: Jamey Kamrath, Todd Goodman, Jason Steuck, Dominic Litwin, Wally Schmitt, Bobby Jonas, Todd Prochaska and Jared Trosper. All eight are starters on offense, defense or special teams this season for the Pointers.