1985 Wisconsin–La Crosse Indians football team

American college football season March 2026 August 2023 1985 Wisconsin–La Crosse Indians football Wisconsin State University Conference WSUC 11–1–2 5–1–2 Roger Harring 17th Memorial Field NAIA Division II national champion NAIA Division II championship game W 24–7 vs. 1985 Pacific Lutheran Lutes Pacific Lutheran 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 1985 Carroll Fighting Saints Carroll (MT) in the quarterfinals, 1985 Northwestern Red Raiders Northwestern (IA) in the semifinals, and 1985 Pacific Lutheran Lutes 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). 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.UW-L lands 6 on 1st team The La Crosse Tribune November 20, 1985 17 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-uw-l-lands-6-on-1s/175765447/ Newspapers.com The team played its home games at Memorial Field in La Crosse, Wisconsin. Schedule Central August 31 w y y 1985 Winona State Warriors Winona State Winona, MN 44–7 2,500 The la Crosse Tribune 01 Sep 1985, page 25 The La Crosse Tribune September 1, 1985 D25 https://www.newspapers.com/image/513454340/?terms=warriors&match=1 Newspapers.com September 7 w y 1985 Gustavus Adolphus Golden Gusties Gustavus Adolphus Memorial Field La Crosse, WI 27–7 3,000 Indians turn up the heat The La Crosse Tribune Chris Hardie September 8, 1985 25, 27 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-indians-turn-up-th/175809297/ Newspaper.com September 14 w y y 1985 St. Ambrose Fighting Bees St. Ambrose Davenport, IA 31–7 3,000 September 21 t 1985 Wisconsin–Stevens Point Pointers Wisconsin–Stevens Point Memorial Field La Crosse, WI 35–35 2,500 Point's wild rally ties UW-L The La Crosse Tribune Pete Miller September 22, 1985 19, 20 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-points-wild-rally/175809385/ Newspapers.com September 28 w y 1985 Wisconsin–Platteville Pioneers Wisconsin–Platteville Platteville, WI 27–7 2,500 October 5 w y 1985 Wisconsin–Superior Yellowjackets Wisconsin–Superior Superior, WI 42–14 1,000 October 19 l 1985 Wisconsin–River Falls Falcons Wisconsin–River Falls Memorial Field La Crosse, WI 21–34 4,500 Falcons stop UW-L The La Crosse Tribune Chris Hardie October 20, 1985 25 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-falcons-stop-uw-l/175809198/ Newspapers.com October 26 w y 1985 Wisconsin–Eau Claire Blugolds Wisconsin–Eau Claire Eau Claire, WI 13–10 3,000 November 2 t 1985 Wisconsin–Oshkosh Titans Wisconsin–Oshkosh Memorial Field La Crosse, WI 14–14 3,000 Tie spoils UW-L's playoff hopes The La Crosse Tribune Charles Gardner November 3, 1985 29 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-tie-spoils-uw-ls/175808932/ Newspapers.com November 9 w 1985 Wisconsin–Whitewater Warhawks Wisconsin–Whitewater Memorial Field La Crosse, WI 28–2 2,000 Freshman sparks UW-L victory The La Crosse Tribune Chris Hardie November 10, 1985 26 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-freshman-sparks-uw/175808822/ Newspapers.com November 16 w y 1985 Wisconsin–Stout Blue Devils Wisconsin–Stout Menomonie, WI 10–3 1,000 Indians await decision The la Crosse Tribune November 17, 1985 29 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-indians-await-deci/175797337/ Newspapers.com November 30 w y y 1985 Carroll Fighting Saints Carroll (MT) Helena, MT NAIA Division II quarterfinal 24–0 December 7 w y y 1985 Northwestern Red Raiders Northwestern (IA) DakotaDome Vermillion, SD NAIA Division II semifinal 35–28 3OT Indians win in 3 overtimes The La Crosse Tribune Chris Hardie December 8, 1985 19 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-indians-win-in-3-o/175796825/ Newspaper.com December 14 w y y 1985 Pacific Lutheran Lutes Pacific Lutheran Parkland, WA NAIA Division II championship game 24–7 'Lucky' La Crosse laughs last The La Crosse Tribune Chris Hardie December 15, 1985 29, 30 https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-la-crosse-tribune-lucky-la-crosse/175796387/ Newspapers.com Final 1985 Division III Cumulative Football Statistics Report (Wisconsin–La Crosse) https://stats.ncaa.org/team/795/stats/13637 National Collegiate Athletic Association May 31, 2025 Football year by year https://s3.amazonaws.com/sidearm.sites/wiacsports.com/documents/2010/6/18/FootballYearByYear.pdf WIAC Sports.com References Wisconsin-La Crosse Category:Wisconsin–La Crosse Eagles football seasons Category:NAIA football national champions Wisconsin-La Crosse Eagles football