Green Knights shut down by Pointers in home opener

DE PERE – After keeping the game close for the first half, the St. Norbert Green Knights began to spiral in the fourth quarter of their game against the UW-Stevens Point Pointers leading to a 24-3 loss on Saturday, Sept. 14. 

A quiet first quarter saw SNC leading the charge with several long receptions by wide receiver Austin Miller and a sack by Daylan Lujan. 

The game began the second quarter scoreless as both teams hunted to find the endzone. 

The Green Knights seemed to struggle when quarterback Michael Menneguzzo fumbled three consecutive snaps and was then sacked for a loss. 

However, SNC running back Connor Kelley received a ball up the middle and brought the team up from 3rd and long to just 2 yards shy of a 1st down with 10 mins remaining in the half. 

At this point in the game, the SNC defense was holding up strong forcing the Pointers to 0/6 on third down conversions going into the half. 

An interception by the Pointers at the 37-yard line with one minute remaining in the half proved crucial as it allowed UW-Stevens Point to work their way to a 40-yard field goal with 32 seconds remaining to bring the score to 3-0 going into the half. 

Wide receiver Mitch Van Vooren’s long reception down the sideline brought his team a great spark to start the half as he brought them down from their own 36-yard line to 36 yards out from the endzone. 

Van Vooren’s slant up the middle brought the Green Knights to a promising 1st and goal at the 2-yard line, but the Pointers’ defense was able to hold them to 3rd and 4 on the 4-yard line, forcing a Mason Levake 22-yard field goal to even the score at 3-3. 

Though the game seemed an even matchup going into the final quarter, the game would fall to the Pointers on the ensuing drives. 

A flag on SNC brought the Pointers to 1st and 10 from the 2-yard line, allowing them to find the endzone for a 10-3 score with 13:36 remaining in the game. 

However, Pointer Carson Van Ess clinched an interception less than a minute later that brought them to attempt a 37 yard field goal, which landed just outside of the uprights. 

Menneguzzo was brought down with another sack and his team found themselves stuck at 4th and 12 on the 18.

However, on the Pointers’ next drive, defensive back Marc Thomas clinched an interception with 6:41 remaining to turn the tide for his team. 

Although a reception from Van Vooren brought them a first down at midfield, a fumble by Menneguzzo was recovered by the Pointers to land them at 1st and 10 on the 47-yard line with 5:13 on the clock. 

The Pointers worked their way to the endzone for a 17-3 lead before securing a final touchdown to put the nail in the coffin for the Green Knights in the final minute of the game. 

While 115 of the Pointers total offensive yards came in the final quarter, the Green Knights were ultimately outmatched at 257-213 yards. 

Menneguzzo was 15-30 on passes for 144 yards on offense while David Haselwander led the defense with 8 tackles. 

UW-Stevens Point came away with the 24-3 final result in the Green Knights home opener. 

The Green Knights face the Aurora University Spartans on Saturday, Sept. 21, in Montgomery, Ill.