http://cslab.uwlax.edu/~ander_rj/foot/stout97.html (Internet on a CD, 07/1998)
More disturbing to Harring than the loss was how the Eagles lost. Mental mistakes and a lack of poise at critical times - both instrumental in UW-L's tremendous success in the Harring Era - were missing against UW-Stout.
``If you don't get up (mentally) and stay up, you're going to get beat in this league,'' Harring said. ``I was really disappointed with that. That opening drive was too easy for us. That was not good for us.''
In retrospect, neither was UW-L's 56-0 blasting of Huron. The Eagles were never challenged against Huron, and none of their weaknesses were exposed. Against UW-Stout, the Blue Devils were able to effectively run their trap, and were consistently able to get outside.
``We have a big, strong offensive line, and all of those kids are back from last year,'' UW-Stout coach Ed Meierkort said. ``I think that was a big key for us. We were able to run the ball against them, and Shawn Lund was playing on a bad hamstring.''
Harring especially dislikes getting beat at power football, but doesn't have any quick-fix answers. He doesn't anticipate any personnel changes.
``We are playing with the best people we have,'' Harring said. ``We'll have to get better, that's all. We still have a chance to do that.''
XX BIG FOOT: While UW-L struggled in some areas against UW-Stout, punting was not one of them. UW-L punter Jerry Faust averaged 44.9 yards on seven punts, including a school-record 81-yard kick.
The record-breaking boot came after a personal foul pushed the Eagles back to their own 17-yard line. Faust, a 6-foot-1, 200-pound senior from Kiel, Wis., thumped a high kick that a South wind of 15 to 20 mph helped carry over the head of UW-Stout return man Eric Aamodt.
The ball bounced all the way to the UW-Stout 2-yard line, where UW-L was able to down it.
XX TRENCH WARS: UW-Stout was able to effectively power its way through the UW-L offensive line, and that was a big reason why the Eagles was held to a season-low 119 yards rushing against the Blue Devils. UW-L averaged 3.6 yards on 33 carries.
``We knew our speed and quickness would work well against their big offensive linemen,'' said UW-Stout defensive lineman Mike Olson, who finished with four tackles. ``In overtime when the pressure was on them, they broke down a little bit. We knew our defense wouldn't let us down in overtime. We couldn't wait to go out there.''
XX MATHIAS PICK: Not all was bad for UW-L Saturday. Cornerback Ric Mathias, a first-team all-league selection last season, came up with a big interception to thwart a UW-Stout drive mid-way through the third quarter. One a second-and-goal situation from the 2-yard line, UW-Stout quarterback Matt Bunyan fired a strike toward Jim Pillars, who tipped the pass.
An alert Mathias grabbed the ball for his third interception of the season, and 12th of his career.
XX TIME TO GET WELL? While UW-L is still stinging from its loss to UW-Stout, the WIAC schedule is in the Eagles' favor. UW-L faces UW-Oshkosh at home, then travels to UW-Platteville and UW-River Falls. Those three teams have a combined record of 5-6.
XX EARLY LOSS: UW-L is noted for its strong starts, then its ability to continue improving. The Eagles' loss to UW-Stout Saturday was UW-L's earliest regular season loss since it dropped a 24-14 decision to UW-Whitewater in the second week of the 1990 season.
XX TONGUE LASHING: UW-L all-purpose back John Barrett said the team was upset with itself Saturday. The Eagles' coaches were certainly not happy either.
``The coaches are not too happy with us,'' Barrett said. ``We played well enough to keep them in game. It's not like us. I expect us to come out and correct those things. I don't expect us to go in a shell.''
XX REBUILDING COMPLETE? UW-Stout's Olson believes the Blue Devils have made a breakthrough, and are ready to play with the WIAC's best.
``This year was the end of the beginning in terms of rebuilding our program,'' Olson said.
UW-Stout will find out, as it travels to UW-Eau Claire this week.
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