Game Stats

Marshall, Texas - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football opened its 2009 season with a 28-13 victory at East Texas Baptist University Saturday afternoon at Ornelas Stadium. It was also the season-opener for ETBU.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Tigers' Cody Finch forced a Reid Oldenburg fumble at the Eagles' 28-yard line and Clyde Omo-Iyase returned it for a touchdown to give ETBU a 6-0 lead. Billy Niggeman blocked the extra-point for UW-L. ETBU led 6-0 at halftime.

UW-L took a 7-6 lead on its first possession of the second half. The Eagles went 60 yards on four plays as Oldenburg scored on a 48-yard touchdown run. Dylan Rude's extra-point gave UW-L a one-point lead. On ETBU's next possession, UW-L's Nicholas Matthews forced a fumble on Corey George's rushing attempt and Chris Anicete recovered at the Tigers' 43-yard line. Nick Anker then hit Dan Sellers on the next play from scrimmage to give the Eagles a 13-6. Rude's extra-point made it 14-6.

ETBU came right back to cut UW-L's lead to 14-13. The Eagles were called for pass interference on the Tigers' ensuing drive and Sed Harris hit Trevor Cavness with a 69-yard touchdown pass. Kyle Pope's extra-point made it 14-13.

Late in the third quarter, UW-L's Blake Roemer picked off a Harris pass and returned it 16 yards to ETBU's 42-yard line. Anker connected with Jacob Boegel for 40 yards and Oldenburg scored on the first play of the fourth period on a three-yard run. Rude converted the extra-point for a 21-13 advantage.

Harris was intercepted by Derek Dreher on the Tigers' next possession and the Eagles went 45 yards in nine plays to take a 28-13 lead. Lee Lauters had 32 yards rushing on the drive and Anker hit Alex Maxinoski for 17 yards to get the ball down to the ETBU one-yard line. Jason Church then scored on a one-yard run on fourth down and Rude's fourth extra-point made it 28-13 with 9:48 remaining.

Dreher picked off his second pass on the next possession, this one coming off back-up quarterback Seth Hubbard, but Rude's 38-yard field goal was blocked. ETBU was forced to punt on its next possession.

UW-L finished with 359 yards of offense, including 163 rushing and 196 passing. Oldenburg set career-highs in rushing attempts (24) and yards (139) while scoring twice. Lauters had 46 yards rushing on 10 carries. Anker was 15-of-30 passing for 196 yards with one touchdown. He was sacked three times.
Sellers set career-highs in catches (5) and receiving yards (71) while hauling in one touchdown pass.
Maxinoski had four receptions for 50 yards and Boegel three catches for 60 yards.

ETBU totaled 200 yards on offense, including 80 rushing and 120 passing. Jair Stover had 54 yards rushing on 19 attempts while Harris was five-of-12 passing for 108 yards with one touchdown and two interceptions. Hubbard finished three-of-five for 12 yards with an interception. DeWayne Hamilton led the Tigers with three catches (26 yards) while Cavness finished with two receptions for a team-high 77 yards.

Dustin Drath, Aaron Johnson and Derek Jones each had six tackles for UW-L. Jones and Roemer each finished with 1.5 quarterback sacks with Jones having three tackles for loss and Roemer 2.5. Roemer also had an inteception while Dreher had a pair.

UW-L returns to action Saturday, Sept. 12 hosting Azusa Pacific University (Calif.) at 1 p.m. It will be the Eagles' home opener at the newly constructed Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.