Madison, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team is projected to win its third Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) title in the last four years based on a preseason poll released Thursday, according to the league's head coaches and sports information directors. 

The Eagles finished 8-4 overall and 5-2 in the WIAC a year ago, placing second in the league standings. UW-La Crosse advanced to the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division III Championships for the fourth straight season last year, all coming under head coach Matt Janus. The Eagles earned a 59-14 home victory over the University of Northwestern (Minn.) in the NCAA Division III First Round last season before a 24-13 loss at third-ranked Saint John's University (Minn.) in the second round.

UW-La Crosse returns 75 letter winners and 12 starters in 2025, including six All-WIAC selections. The Eagles are ranked 10th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Top 25 Poll and 11th on the D3football.com Top 25 Preseason Poll. UW-La Crosse finished ranked 21st on both final regular season polls a year ago.

Janus enters his sixth season as UW-La Crosse's head coach in 2025, leading the Eagles to conference titles in 2022 and 2023 and four straight national championship appearances. Voted the 2022 and 2023 WIAC Kwik Trip George Chryst Coach of the Year, Janus is 37-11 overall at UW-La Crosse, including 24-4 in the WIAC. He is 4-4 in the NCAA Division III Championships.

Janus is coached by assistants Andrew McGlenn (offensive line/recruiting coordinator), Mike Anderson (associate head coach/tight ends), Michael Zweifel (defensive coordinator/defensive backs), Tarek Yaeggi (offensive coordinator/quarterbacks), Aaron Schmitz (tight ends/strength & conditioning), Frank Tierney (wide receivers), Jon Larson (kickers/punters), Jake White (linebackers), Sam Zwieg (running backs), Jake Krause (wide receivers), Erik Anda (linebackers), Owen Griffin (defensive backs), Peyton Kleinheinz (quarterbacks) and Gavin Seefeldt (defensive line).

UW-Platteville is projected to finish second in the 2025 WIAC Preseason Poll.  The Pioneers are followed by UW-River Falls, UW-Whitewater, UW-Oshkosh, UW-Stout, UW-Eau Claire and UW-Stevens Point. UW-Platteville is ranked 14th, UW-River Falls 19th and UW-Whitewater 22nd on the AFCA Top 25 Preseason Poll. On the D3football.com Preseason Poll, UW-Platteville is ranked 15th, UW-River Falls 19th and UW-Whitewater 24th. 

Six players return for UW-La Crosse in 2025 with All-WIAC accolades, including three first team selections. Senior running back Gabe Lynch of Indian Creek, Ill. (Carmel Catholic) and senior defensive back Trent Mullen of Appleton (North) were named to the 2024 All-WIAC First Team while senior kicker Michael Stack of Oshkosh (West) was a 2023 all-conference first team selection. Lynch and Mullen were named to the 2025 D3football.com Preseason All-America Third Team.

Named to the 2024 D3football.com All-Region Second Team, Lynch led UW-La Crosse in rushing attempts (189), yards (1,056) and touchdowns (10) last season. He also led the WIAC in rushing yards and yards per game (88.0) while finishing second in touchdowns. Lynch recorded a rushing touchdown in eight games a year ago. Mullen was voted to the 2024 D3football.com All-Region First Team after starting all 12 games at cornerback and finishing in a tie for the WIAC lead with four interceptions. He also tied for third in passes defended (12) in the conference. Mullen was sixth for UW-La Crosse in tackles (36), including third in unassisted tackles (27). Stack was voted the 2023 WIAC Co-Special Teams Player of the Year while earning Associated Press (AP) and D3football.com All-America First Team honors. He is 20-of-29 in career field goal attempts and 97-of-97 in extra-points. Stack's 13 field goals in 2023 are tied for first in single-season school history. His 20 career field goals rank fourth in school history while the 97 extra-points ranks fifth.

Senior offensive lineman Dain Walter of New Glarus (H..S.) was named to the 2024 All-WIAC Second Team with junior defensive back Tate Pitcher of Somerset (H.S.) being voted to the 2023 all-conference second team and senior tight end Marko Rajkovic of Franklin (H.S.) earning 2023 all-conference honorable mention accolades. 

Walter started all 12 games last season at left tackle as UW-La Crosse averaged 32.5 points per game. The Eagles averaged 430.9 yards per game, including 167.6 rushing and 263.3 passing. Pitcher started all 12 contests at cornerback a year ago, finishing third for UW-La Crosse with 41 tackles. He played in 11 games in 2023, recording 25 tackles. Rajkovic started all 12 games last season, finishing with 22 receptions for 219 yards and two touchdowns. He caught 14 passes for 124 yards and two touchdowns in earning all-conference honors in 2023.

UW-La Crosse opens its 2025 season Saturday, September 13 at 18th-ranked Carnegie Mellon University (Pa.) at 11 a.m. (Central). The Eagles' home opener is scheduled for Saturday, September 20 hosting NCAA Division II Wayne State University (Mich.) at 1 p.m. at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex.  UW-La Crosse opens the WIAC season Saturday, October 4 at UW-Whitewater at 1 p.m.  

For the complete 2025 UW-La Crosse schedule, click here.