It’s back to basics for the 22nd-ranked UW-La Crosse football team.
After three consecutive losses for a team that had National Title hopes, UW-L coach Matt Janus realized changes needed to occur. So he’s taking the team back to the program’s roots, which has led the Eagles to a 31-10 record in his tenure.
The Eagles (2-3, 0-2) look to bounce back on the road at UW-Eau Claire (2-3, 1-1) — a game that will air on WKTY and the WKTY app.
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Pregame Saturday at 11:15 a.m., kickoff at 11:30 a.m.
Listen on the WKTY website here, the WKTY App or at 96.7 FM / 580 AM
Janus believes cracks in the team’s foundation occurred following last season’s quarterfinal loss to North Central.
“Everything in our program shifted to winning,” Janus said. “That became the ultimate drive and focus. We put the focus into building a roster and getting as many pieces as we could.
“Ultimately what we lost track of was the thing that got us to where we were which was the culture of the program.”
The four principles of ‘the Experience’, according to Janus, are accountability, growth, commitment and positivity.
UW-L’s three losses have come by a combined 11 points — and two three ranked teams, including Division II’s No. 2, Grand Valley State.
Close games are not something the #22 Eagles are strangers to. In last season’s 11-2 campaign, UWL went 5-1 in one score games.
“When we’ve struggled and are in tight ball games, we didn’t have the culture to fall back on,” Janus said. “And when the culture is now winning, and you’re not, then you have problems.”
Janus added that his own approach has shifted this week, as he has not mentioned UW-Eau Claire.
“Our captains have had multiple meetings with the team already,” Janus said. “I’m definitely leaning on those guys and provide them more opportunities to lead.”
UW-L support continues to be strong. During this week’s “One Day” put on by UW-La Crosse, the Eagles football program raised more than $23,000 in a 24-hour period. Janus said the donations couldn’t have come at a better time.
“It showed me there’s still a heartbeat in this program. And as long as there’s a heartbeat, we’re going to fight like hell.”