Point Pummels Simpson in Charity Pink Game

Written by: Sharayah Lazaroff

Editor’s note: Because of staffing issues early in the fall 2022 semester, several stories that were completed in a timely fashion were unfortunately not published when they should have been. Because Pointer staff members still feel them to be important for-the-record stories, we are publishing them as we can without shifting their focus from the time period in which they should have run.  The Pointer regrets the delay.

The Pointer football team defeated Simpson College in the PINK game on Saturday, Sept. 17, at home in Goerke Stadium.

The team established a quick lead just seven minutes into the first quarter, with Brycin Cashin scoring a touchdown on a 70-yard rush.

From there, the team maintained their intensity, scoring two touchdowns in the second quarter and two touchdowns in the third.

Overall, Point was miles ahead in terms of rushing yards, establishing 288 yards to Simpson’s 121. 

“Success is contagious. High energy is contagious, and that kind of led throughout the whole game and throughout the whole team,” said junior quarterback Trey Shroeder. Shroeder obtained 142 passing yards during the game.

This season, the team has had to adjust to a new coaching staff and many new player recruits. 

Shroeder believes that the adjustments have taken some getting used to, but they have started building the foundations towards a team built on trust and collaboration.

Freshman running back Brycen Cashin said, “It’s something that we’re all new to, and we’re all adapting really well, I think. These coaches – they want to win, and I think we will win….I think we’re on the right path.”

Cashin racked up 167 net rushing yards and 62 kick return yards within the game, netting three of the team’s five touchdowns along the way.

After two losses against Mayville State University and St. Norbert College in the team’s first two regular season games, the team needed a morale boost: Head Coach Luke Venne emphasized that the team needed some reassurance that the team’s many changes were paying off for the team’s season record.

Venne also pointed out however that the team should refocus from wins and losses to keeping their minds on practice and team-wide progress day-by-day.

The PINK game was especially notable because it was devoted towards raising money for cancer-research-based charities. Each player wore the name of an individual who has had cancer that they would like to acknowledge and pay tribute to in their playing.

“They all have someone they’re playing for. Just kind of putting these guys in a different mindset,” said Venne.

Venne acknowledged the team’s spirit and focus, citing their academic success so far, as well as their overall devotion towards practices and weight training.

The team takes on UW-River Falls in River Falls, WI, on Saturday, October 1, for their first WIAC game of the season.

Sharayah Lazaroff

Sports Editor

[email protected]