2022 UW-La Crosse Football Schedule

La Crosse, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse has announced its 2022 football schedule.  The Eagles will play 10 games, including five home contests at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.  UWL, which finished 9-3 overall and 6-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in 2021, opens its season Saturday, September 3 hosting Dakota State University (S.D.) at 1 p.m.

Matt Janus enters his third season as UWL's head coach in 2022 after leading the Eagles to their first National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championship appearance in 2021.  UWL earned a 58-23 win at Albion College (Mich.) in the first round of the NCAA III Championships, the Eagles' first playoff victory since 2006. The 58 points were the most for UWL in a playoff game.  UWL scored 55 points in a first round win (55-26) over Wartburg College (Iowa) in the 1993 NCAA Division III First Round. UWL fell 34-20 at top-ranked North Central College (Ill.) in the second round of the national playoffs. 

"With our schedule being released, we can now see how tough the road to 34 (conference titles) and four (national titles) will be," said Janus.  "Our non-conference schedule will once again challenge us with really good opponents from a variety of levels from National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), NCAA Division III, and NCAA Division II in Wayne State."  
 

The Eagles' nine wins in 2021 were the most since finishing 9-2 in 2006.  UWL's six conference victories were the most since going 6-1 in 2006.  Earning one of five at-large bids to the NCAA Division III Championships, UWL made its 12th appearance (1983, 1991-93, 1995-96, 1999, 2002-04, 2006, 2021) in school history in the NCAA III Championships, including ninth trip to the second round. 

UWL finished 11th in the final 2021 D3football.com Poll and 12th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). 

In the first-ever meeting between the teams, UWL earned a 42-21 victory at Dakota State (S.D.) on September 4, 2021. The Trojans, a member of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA), finished 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the Northern Star Association in 2021. 

UWL plays its first of five road games Saturday, September 10 at the University of Dubuque (Iowa) at 1 p.m.  The Eagles defeated the Spartans, 38-7, in UWL's home opener in 2021 to tie the all-time series, 5-5. Dubuque (Iowa) finished 6-4 overall and 5-3 in the American Rivers Conference in 2021. 

The Eagles wrap up their non-conference schedule at Wayne State University (Mich.) at 5 p.m. (Central) on Saturday, September 17.  Wayne State (Mich.) is a member of National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division II and Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (GLIAC).  The Warriors finished 2-9 overall and 2-5 in the GLIAC in 2021.  UWL and Wayne State (Mich.) will be meeting for the first time in school history.

"As we look to our conference season my passion is playing league games in the state of Wisconsin during the fall," said Janus. "I love and look forward to the challenge, the rivalries, and the competition that our league provides year in and year out."

After a bye week, UWL opens the 2022 WIAC schedule hosting UW-Whitewater on Saturday, October 1 at 1 p.m. for Family Weekend. UW-Whitewater, winners of 18 straight over UWL, won the WIAC title in 2021 with a 7-0 league mark.  UW-Whitewater finished 13-1 overall, falling 24-7 to the University of Mary Hardin-Baylor (Texas) in the NCAA Division III Championship Semifinals.  The Warhawks lead the all-time series, 38-31, with the Eagles, including a 13-7 in 2021. 

The Eagles hit the road for a pair of contests to continue league play. UWL travels to UW-Stout Saturday, October 8 in a 1 p.m. start. The Eagles have won the last nine games with the Blue Devils, including 44-38 last year in La Crosse.  UWL leads the all-time series, 74-15-6.  UW-Stout was 5-5 overall and 2-5 in the league in 2021. 

UWL plays at UW-Eau Claire Saturday, October 15 at 11:30 a.m.  The Eagles has won the last four games with the Blugolds, including 44-20 in 2021.  The Eagles lead the all-time series, 57-28-2.  The Blugolds were 3-7 overall and 1-6 in the WIAC in 2021.  

UWL returns to Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex Saturday, October 22 hosting UW-Stevens Point at 1 p.m. for Varsity Homecoming/Wall of Fame Day. The Pointers finished 2-8 overall and 0-7 in the WIAC in 2021.  UWL earned a 56-3 victory in Stevens Point a year ago.  The Eagles lead the all-time series with the Pointers, 48-15-4, winning the last four overall. 

The final regular-season road game is set for Saturday, October 29 at UW-Oshkosh at 1 p.m. UWL leads UW-Oshkosh, 51-17-6, winning the last two match-ups, including 30-21 last season. UW-Oshkosh went 6-3 overall and 4-3 in the conference a season ago. 

UWL finishes the 2022 regular-season with two home games, hosting UW-River Falls Saturday, November 5 and UW-Platteville Saturday, November 12. Both games are scheduled to start at 1 p.m.  UWL leads the all-time series, 65-32-7, with the Falcons.  The Eagles won the 2021 meeting, 45-23, and have won 25 of the last 28 games with the Falcons.  UW-River Falls was 9-2 overall and 5-2 in the league in 2021 while earning a 48-27 win over Washington University in St. Louis (Mo.) in the Culver's Isthmus Bowl. 

Veterans Day/Senior Day will highlight the final regular-season game as UWL hosts UW-Platteville. The Eagles lead the all-time series, 57-27, with the Pioneers after a 24-23 win in Platteville a year ago. UW-Platteville was 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the WIAC in 2021. 

Seven players return in 2021 with All-WIAC accolades, including three first team selections. Offensive lineman Mike Bertoia of Lake Zurich, Ill. (H.S.) and running back Joey Stutzman of Lake Zurich, Ill. (H.S.) were both named to the All-WIAC First Team Offense while defensive back Elijah Alt of Lone Rock (River Valley) earned All-WIAC First Team Defensive honors. 

Linebacker AJ Spychala of Muskego (H.S.) earned 2021 All-WIAC Second Team accolades while offensive lineman Alex Bongers of Nerstrand, Minn. (Bethlehem Academy), tight end Will Josten of Palatine, Ill. (Fremd) and defensive lineman Jack Kelly of Plover (SPASH) were all voted to the All-WIAC Honorable Mention Team.