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1985 Wisconsin–La Crosse Indians football team

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1985 Wisconsin–La Crosse Indians football
NAIA Division II national champion
ConferenceWisconsin State University Conference
Record11–1–2 (5–1–2 WSUC)
Head coach
Home stadiumMemorial Field
Seasons
← 1984
1986 →
1985 Wisconsin State University Conference football standings
Conf. Overall
Team W   L   T W   L   T
Wisconsin–River Falls $ 6 – 1 – 1 8 – 1 – 1
No. 8 Wisconsin–La Crosse ^ 5 – 1 – 2 11 – 1 – 2
Wisconsin–Stevens Point 5 – 2 – 1 8 – 2 – 1
Wisconsin–Platteville 5 – 3 – 0 5 – 5 – 0
Wisconsin–Eau Claire 3 – 4 – 1 5 – 4 – 1
Wisconsin–Whitewater 3 – 4 – 1 3 – 7 – 1
Wisconsin–Oshkosh 2 – 5 – 1 4 – 5 – 1
Wisconsin–Stout 2 – 6 – 0 3 – 7 – 0
Wisconsin–Superior 1 – 6 – 1 2 – 8 – 1
  • $ – Conference champion
  • * – NAIA Division II playoff participant
Rankings from NAIA Division II poll

The 1985 Wisconsin–La Crosse Indians football team was an American football team that represented University of Wisconsin–La Crosse as a member of the Wisconsin State University Conference (WSUC) and won the Division III national championship during the 1985 NAIA Division II football season. In their 17th season under head coach Roger Harring, the Eagles compiled an 11–1–2 record (5–1–2 in conference games) and won the WSUC championship. They advanced to the NAIA Division II playoffs, defeating Carroll (MT) in the quarterfinals, Northwestern (IA) in the semifinals, and Pacific Lutheran in the NAIA Division II championship game.

During the 11-game regular season, the Indians tallied 2,115 rushing yards (192.3 per game) and 1,618 passing yards (147.1 per game). On defense, they gave up 1,191 rushing yards (108.3 per game) and 1,505 passing yards (136.8 per game). The individual statistical leaders included senior fullback Dan Lowney (1,077 rushing yards, 102 points scored, 36.0-yard average on 59 punts), sophomore split end Jose Alba (27 catches for 428 yards), and junior kicker Joe Mirasola (32 of 34 extra points, eight of 15 field goals).[1]

Six La-Crosse players received first-team honors on the 1985 All-WSUC football team: offensive guard Tom Newberry (unanimous); Dan Lowney (selected as both a running back and punter); defensive end Jay Wolowicz; linebacker Dale Gottschalk; inside linebacker Phil Ertl; and defensive back Pat Bushman.[2]

The team played its home games at Memorial Field in La Crosse, Wisconsin.[3][4][5][6][7]

Schedule

[edit]
DateOpponentSiteResultAttendanceSource
August 31at Winona State*Winona, MNW 44–72,500[8]
September 7Gustavus Adolphus*
W 27–73,000[3]
September 14at St. Ambrose*Davenport, IAW 31–73,000
September 21Wisconsin–Stevens Point
  • Memorial Field
  • La Crosse, WI
T 35–352,500[4]
September 28at Wisconsin–PlattevillePlatteville, WIW 27–72,500
October 5at Wisconsin–SuperiorSuperior, WIW 42–141,000
October 19Wisconsin–River Falls
  • Memorial Field
  • La Crosse, WI
L 21–344,500[5]
October 26at Wisconsin–Eau ClaireEau Claire, WIW 13–103,000
November 2Wisconsin–Oshkosh
  • Memorial Field
  • La Crosse, WI
T 14–143,000[6]
November 9Wisconsin–Whitewater
  • Memorial Field
  • La Crosse, WI
W 28–22,000[7]
November 16at Wisconsin–StoutMenomonie, WIW 10–31,000[9]
November 30at Carroll (MT)*Helena, MT (NAIA Division II quarterfinal)W 24–0
December 7vs. Northwestern (IA)*
W 35–28 3OT[10]
December 14at Pacific Lutheran*Parkland, WA (NAIA Division II championship game)W 24–7[11]
  • *Non-conference game

[1][12]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b "Final 1985 Division III Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Wisconsin–La Crosse)". National Collegiate Athletic Association. Retrieved May 31, 2025.
  2. ^ "UW-L lands 6 on 1st team". The La Crosse Tribune. November 20, 1985. p. 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  3. ^ a b Chris Hardie (September 8, 1985). "Indians turn up the heat". The La Crosse Tribune. pp. 25, 27 – via Newspaper.com.
  4. ^ a b Pete Miller (September 22, 1985). "Point's wild rally ties UW-L". The La Crosse Tribune. pp. 19, 20 – via Newspapers.com.
  5. ^ a b Chris Hardie (October 20, 1985). "Falcons stop UW-L". The La Crosse Tribune. p. 25 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ a b Charles Gardner (November 3, 1985). "Tie spoils UW-L's playoff hopes". The La Crosse Tribune. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ^ a b Chris Hardie (November 10, 1985). "Freshman sparks UW-L victory". The La Crosse Tribune. p. 26 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. ^ "The la Crosse Tribune 01 Sep 1985, page 25". The La Crosse Tribune. September 1, 1985. pp. D25 – via Newspapers.com.
  9. ^ "Indians await decision". The la Crosse Tribune. November 17, 1985. p. 29 – via Newspapers.com.
  10. ^ Chris Hardie (December 8, 1985). "Indians win in 3 overtimes". The La Crosse Tribune. p. 19 – via Newspaper.com.
  11. ^ Chris Hardie (December 15, 1985). "'Lucky' La Crosse laughs last". The La Crosse Tribune. pp. 29, 30 – via Newspapers.com.
  12. ^ "Football year by year" (PDF). WIAC Sports.com.
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