http://cslab.uwlax.edu/~ander_rj/foot/preplat.html (Internet on a CD, 07/1998)

UW-L puts win streak on the line

By JEFF BROWN
Of the Tribune staff

There was a week-long message this week at UW-La Crosse football practice, and it came from head coach Roger Harring.

``I told them to give it your best and don't have any regrets,'' Harring said. ``They have taken themselves too seriously. I told them to quit worrying and have fun.''

Perhaps the Eagles (1-0 WSUC, 3-0 overall) are thinking too much about their 17-game winning streak, which dates back to last year's 14-0 NCAA Division III national championship season. It's the longest winning streak in the nation ð any division ð but it means nothing to today's opponent, UW-Platteville, Harring said.

It meant nothing to Oshkosh last week, and the Titans played the Eagles as well as they have in years before falling, 32-15.

``Sometimes we put so much pressure on things that are out of our control,'' Harring said. ``You don't have any control over the weather, injuries, or the officials. Just play well and don't worry about what you can't control.''

The Eagles are hoping to control Platteville (0-1, 1-3) today. The Pioneers have been hit hard by injuries this season, and haven't been able to meet preseason expectations.

A total of seven starters missed last week's game, a 56-14 thumping at the hands of Whitewater. Three of those players ð kicker Joel Berens, center Chad Keppy and Brian Childs are out for at least four weeks.

Despite an injury-riddled team, Harring said Platteville is no pushover.

``They have a big strong quarterback who runs the option well,'' Harring said of the Pioneers' 6-foot-2, 190-pound Forrest Paul. ``They have a big strong backfield, too. They are best at running the football. This is the best test against the run we have faced.''

Adam Grossen leads the Pioneers with 237 yards rushing, and averages 4.8 yards per carry. UW-L, meanwhile, has been stellar against the run, allowing just 194 yards rushing in three games. Opponents are averaging 0.4 yards per rush against UW-L.

UW-L's front wall of defense ð Luke Fink, Mike Ivey, Dan Kloepping and John Wilson ð have been almost impenetrable. Toss in the second wave of UW-L defensive linemen ð Dana Bongle, Eric Baranczyk, Greg Van Elzen and Mike Stay ð and it's the same story.

``We have played the run very well,'' Harring said. ``The biggest thing we don't want to do is play up and down. It's hard for people to understand, but you can't predict the future. You just want to play as well as you can each game.''

And forget about streaks.

Head Coach: Roger Harring
UW-L Team Results and Stats
Eagle Football Notes
1996 Pre-Season Outlook
Go to the ROSTER
Conference Preview and Roger Harring story.
State Summaries from other Wisconsin College Football Games on September 7th.
State Summaries from other Wisconsin College Football Games on September 14th.
State Summaries from other Wisconsin College Football Games on September 21st.