The UW-Stevens Point football team battled back from an early first quarter deficit, but NAIA powerhouse Saint Francis (Ind.) pulled away in the fourth quarter to hand the Pointers a 39-31 loss in their season opener.
The Cougars jumped out to a 14-3 lead after a pair of Austin Coleman touchdowns, but the second quarter was all about the Pointers.
Ethan Lockhart punched in a two-yard touchdown to cut the lead to 14-10. On the ensuing St. Francis possession, the Pointers forced a fumble and returned it for a score to take the lead, 17-14.
They continued their hot play in the second when Lockhart scored his second touchdown of the quarter and the Pointers were in front 24-14.
The Cougars cut it to 24-19 just before the half on an Antoin Campbell touchdown and they took control in the second half.
David Yoder scored on a quarterback keeper to give St. Francis a 25-24 lead in the third quarter and in the fourth, Kyle Matthewson put the game on ice with one of his two touchdowns.
Saint Francis head coach Kevin Donley moves into a tie atop the NAIA all-time coaching wins list with the victory.
Stevens Point will travel to Dubuque next Saturday.