Giant expectations this season for the sixth-ranked UW-La Crosse football team, coming off a playoff run that took it two wins from a national title berth.
The Eagles begin the season Thursday in New York against Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. Kickoff at 4 p.m.
For UW-L coach Matt Janus, he realizes the expectations for his program are at another level, after three consecutive seasons making the playoffs.
“If we don’t win a national championship and if we don’t win a conference championship, 2024 is a failure,” Janus said. “I told our guys to embrace that pressure. It’s nothing to be scared of or something to run from. If you have that pressure on you it means you have a pretty darn good football team.”
The Eagles, who have won the past two WIAC conference championships, head into this season with a somewhat new look at quarterback.
They have to replace WIAC offensive player of the year, quarterback Keyser Helterbrand, who accumulated over 3,800 yards and 49 total touchdowns in 2023.
Janus says he’ll be relying on old and new faces to try and do the job, with returning quarterback Zach Weir, plus Kyle Haas, who transferred from Division II Winona State.
“It’s Zach Weir’s job, but Kyle is going to fight him tooth and nail for it,” Janus said. “Both guys are going to play. I’m telling everyone right now. Kyle will get reps in especially as we go through the non-conference. We’ll see how this plays itself out.”
Weir played in eight games last season, throwing for 563 yards and six touchdowns. He’s more of a pocket passer, compared to what Helterbrand was. But, if the Eagles play both quarterbacks, as it did some last year, Haas may fill that role.
The Eagles load to carry doesn’t lighten after they come home from New York.
Two DII opponents, Northern Michigan followed by Grand Valley State, await the Eagles before the daunting WIAC slate even begins.
UW-L returns eight starters who received all-conference honors last seaon.