EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The UW-Eau Claire football team had a tough day against the No. 1-ranked UW-Whitewater Warhawks, falling 45-0 at Carson Park today.
The shutout was the first for the Blugolds since September 22, 2007. The previous one came at the hands of the Warhawks in a 27-0 loss at Whitewater. All-time the Warhawks have shut out the Blugolds nine times. See complete history of games where Eau Claire was shutout
The Blugolds (3-3, 1-2 WIAC) started the game well, forcing a punt on Whitewater's (6-0, 3-0 WIAC) opening possession.
But the game took a turn for the worst for Eau Claire as Whitewater scored on each of its next five possessions. Levell Coppage scored two touchdowns on the ground while Aaron Rusch and Jason Ford each caught touchdown passes. With less than a minute left before halftime, Eric Kindler added a 37-yard field goal to send the Warhawks into the locker room with a 31-0 lead.
In the third quarter, Whitewater scored two more touchdowns in four possessions while both teams had the ball twice in the fourth quarter and neither team came away with points.
The Blugolds managed to hold the Warhawks to 417 yards of total offense, the lowest total Whitewater has achieved since December 5, 2009 (397 yards against Wittenberg (Ohio)). However, the Blugolds only managed 150 yards of offense, their lowest total since September 22, 2007 (130 yards vs. Whitewater).
Coppage led Whitewater with 106 rushing yards, which all came in the first half, on 18 carries. Matt Jaskowiak (Jr.-Pewaukee, Wis.) led Eau Claire on the ground with 34 yards.
The Blugolds' Austin Neu (So.-Iron Ridge, Wis./Hustisford) finished with 82 yards passing, going 11-for-21 with two interceptions. David Goodman (Jr.-Neenah, Wis.) had a team-best 39 receiving yards with four receptions.
On defense, Ben Shea (Sr.-Manitowoc, Wis./Lincoln) had a game-high 10 tackles (nine solos, one assist).
The loss is the second in a row for the Blugolds while Whitewater has won 21 straight games dating back to its 2008 national championship loss. The 21 wins is the longest winning streak in all divisions of the NCAA currently.
The Blugolds will try to get back on track next Saturday with a game at UW-Stout. Action will get underway at 1 p.m.
