Stagg Bowl XX
UW-La Crosse 16, Washington and Jefferson 12
Dec. 12, 1992, in Bradenton, Fla.

UW-La Crosse got a defensive two-point conversion and a last-minute defensive stand to help the team hold off Washington and Jefferson 16-12 to win the 1992 Division III football national championship.

Each team scored two touchdowns. However, the Presidents failed on both extra point attempts, with Scott Lautner's first attempt being blocked by Norris Thomas, who returned it 86 yards for a defensive conversion.

John Janke carried 24 times for 122 yards for UW-La Crosse, while Erik Richards had 17 carries for 93 yards.

La Crosse almost put the game away with eight minutes left. But quarterback Jason Gonnion fumbled from the 1-yard line into the end zone and into the hands of Washington and Jefferson's Matt Szcypinski.

The game was also notable because the Eagles played without coach Roger Harring, who suffered a heart attack early in the season. Defensive coordinator Roland Christensen led the team the remainder of the season.

The UW-La Crosse defense helped lead the way against W&J. UW-La Crosse photo

It was the program's second national championship, the first in Division III.

Playoff results

First round
Mount Union 27, Dayton 10
Illinois Wesleyan 21, Aurora 12
Central 20, Carleton 8
UW-La Crosse 47, Redlands 26
Emory and Henry 17, Thomas More 0
Washington and Jefferson 33, Lycoming 0
Rowan 41, WPI 14
Buffalo State 28, Ithaca 26 

Quarterfinals
Washington and Jefferson 51, Emory and Henry 15
Mount Union 49, Illinois Wesleyan 27
Rowan 28, Buffalo State 19
UW-La Crosse 34, Central 9 

Semifinals
Washington and Jefferson 18, Rowan 13
UW-La Crosse 29, Mount Union 24 

Stagg Bowl XX
UW-La Crosse 16, Washington and Jefferson 12, Bradenton, Fla.