Back-to-back crowns are school's first since Great Depression era
By MIKE KEMMETER
of The Gazette
For the first time in over 60 years, the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point football team can call itself back-to-back conference champions.
The Pointers (8-1 overall, 6-1 in WIAC), who clinched their second straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title last Saturday with a 31-30 victory over UW-Eau Claire, had a much different road to the championship this year. A year ago, UW-SP finished in a four-way tie for the title with Eau Claire, UW-River Falls and UW-Whitewater. Each team had 5-2 records.
But this year, the Pointers jumped out to a 6-0 start (4-0 in WIAC) and shared the championship with UW-La Crosse, who handed them their only loss of the season, 21-14. It's the first time since the 1933-34 season that UW-SP won two straight conference crowns.
"Last year we needed help from people. This year we controlled our own destiny and won it without the help of other people. We were always in control of our destiny," UW-SP coach John Miech said.
The big reason the Pointers can call themselves champs again is turnovers. UW-SP's defense picked off 21 passes all season, compared to nine by its opponents. Point also recovered 11 fumbles while only losing nine. That gave the Pointers a plus-17 turnover ratio.
"Our defense has created a lot of opportunities for our offense. And offensively, we haven't done anything to hurt ourselves," Miech said.
The biggest thief on UW-SP's defense has been senior defensive back Andy Palzkill. The senior from Mineral Point has seven interceptions. Jamey Kamrath and Jonah Roth both have five picks.
"I think Andy Palzkill has provided a lot of leadership there. A lot of people back there are sophomores," Miech said. "The emergence of Jamey Kamrath has been big for us. He didn't play for us in the first five games because he had a hamstring problem."
Offensively, the Pointers survived what could have been a disaster when starting quarterback Ryan Aulenbacher went down with a broken collarbone in the team's fifth game. But instead of packing it in, UW-SP continued to win with backup Dave Berghuis running the show.
"That was a real difficult situation," Miech said. "I don't think any team wants to make a change there during the season."
Berghuis' statistics are similar to what Aulenbacher accomplished in the first five games of the year. Berghuis is 66-of-130 passing (50.8 percent) for 889 yards, and has seven touchdowns and four interceptions. Before his injury, Aulenbacher was 76-140 (54.3 percent) with six touchdowns and two interceptions.
"We're ecstatic everything has turned out the way it has," Miech said.
The winningest coach in school history also said the team's success makes it easier for Aulenbacher.
"He's not going to have to look and say, 'My injury cost us a conference championship.' And if things work out, in two weeks he may be able to get back on the field," Miech said.
Miech said Aulenbacher was scheduled to have an X-ray of his collarbone Wednesday and the team would get an update on his progress then.
While Berghuis has done his share to keep the offense going, he isn't the only one responsible for the championship. Running backs Wally Schmitt, Lance Gast and Todd Goodman have shared the rushing load while Chad Valentyne and Larry Aschebrook have been UW-SP's receiving threats.
"Again, it's a group of kids that are real consistent with what they do. They perform when we need that score," Miech said.
"The defense has not been able to double cover and haven't been able to focus on just one running back."
While the conference championship was one of the team's goals, the Pointers will have to wait until Sunday at 1:30 p.m. to see if they will make the NCAA Division 3 playoffs. With its win over UW-SP, La Crosse secured the WIAC's automatic bid. That leaves the Pointers in competition for four at-large berths.
Miech said he believes his team is one of six being considered for the quartet of bids. In the latest American Football Coaches Association Division 3 Poll, the Pointers are ranked No. 14. The remaining five teams, according to Miech, are Ohio Northern (No. 12), Central, Iowa (No. 16), Wooster, Ohio (No. 22), Wilmington, Ohio (unranked) and Ursinus, New York (unranked).
"We're optimistic," Miech said. "Of the six teams being considered, we're the only team to play top competition. And win."