UWL sets sights high after best season in 27 years

"I told our guys to embrace that pressure."

That was the mantra that head coach Matt Janus focused on at UW-La Crosse's media day on Tuesday. Expectations are high after the Eagles went 7-0 in WIAC play and won their most games since 1996.

Janus didn't mince words about the goals for this year's team saying, "Now you look at this year and say if we don't win a conference championship and if we don't win a national championship then 2024 is a failure."

How about that for some motivation for your guys before practice begins on Wednesday?

Now despite the loss of some key pieces from last year's squad there are also quite a bit of returners that will be ready to make an instant impact.

The leading tacklers from the last two seasons Ryan Daines and Tanner Newlin are back in a linebacking core that looks to be a strength for the defense.

And the all-time leading receiver in the school's history, Jack Studer is back on the outside this season after a 2023 campaign that saw him catch 70 passes for 1,567 yards and 15 touchdowns.

On the ground Gabe Lynch returns after a campaign that saw him run 131 times for 708 yards and four touchdowns.

The Eagles open their season September 5th in Troy, New York and the WIAC portion of their schedule starts October 5th against UW-Platteville.

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