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Blugolds Come Up Short Against Falcons

Blugolds Come Up Short Against Falcons

By Jake Steen, UWEC Sports Information

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire Football team (0-5, 0-2 WIAC) fell 10-7 in a hard-fought match against UW-River Falls on Saturday for their homecoming game at Carson Park.  

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The Blugolds defense put together their best performance of the season by far, but the offense came up just short in the closing moments of the game. With less than 30 seconds to go the Blugolds were able to drive inside the Falcons 44-yard line but an incomplete pass on fourth down ended hopes of a Blugold victory on homecoming.

"We were backed up against the wall a few times and they came up with some big plays," Blugold Head Coach Todd Glaser said about the defense allowing a season-low ten points. "I thought they played well but it's a team game so all three phases have to play well in order to win."

Defensive back Bo Casper (Jr. – Freedom, WI) totaled seven tackles to lead the Blugolds on defense who only allowed 251 total yards of offense. Kaeleb Stangler (So. – Rochester, MN) added five tackles including an interception in the second half.

"Definitely our best game," said Casper about the defense. "It being homecoming guys had a lot more heart, we were really fired up in the locker room just ready to go."

JT Denhartog (Fr. – Hopkins, MN) finished the day 18 of 39 passing on 183 yards with a touchdown and three interceptions. He looked all day to tight end Lucas Emmerich (Sr. – Eau Claire, WI) who had eight catches for 75 yards and a touchdown on his final homecoming.

"I like the chemistry between JT and I, but we got to keep working," said Emmerich. "We just got to all start playing together, if all eleven guys do their job things will click."

The Blugolds fall to 0-5 overall and 0-2 in their second conference game of the regular season. As the season continues they look to next week when UW-Stout comes to town.

"We're going to treat it like any other game," Emmerich said about facing the Blue Devils next week. "Going to have a good week of practice and go get 'em."

UW-Stout was the lone win of the season for the Blugolds in 2014. Next week's game is set for 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 17, for an under the lights showdown at Carson Park.