By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - Spring practice is officially underway, and with that, it makes for a great time to release the 2017 University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team's schedule of games. Here is what is ahead for the Blugolds in year two under the tutelage of Head Coach Dan Larson.
Following a 2-8 season in 2016, UW-Eau Claire football is ready to take the step toward increasing that total in the win column. They will face one of the teams they defeated last year once again, Wisconsin Lutheran, in the season's home opener on September 9. A week prior, the Blugolds will begin their 2017 campaign, traveling to take on a perennial top-team in St. Thomas on September 2.
"Our non-conference schedule includes three teams that finished .500 or better," said Larson. "It brings an exciting opportunity for our program to travel outside the Midwest to play George Fox in Oregon."
Following their bye week, that mid-September trip out west rounds out the team's non-conference schedule. Their date at George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon is September 23.
The rest of the way will feature games against teams from the always-tough Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC).
On September 30, Eau Claire will welcome UW-River Falls for the 2017 Homecoming game.
Two road tests in UW-La Crosse (October 7) and UW-Stevens Point (October 14) begin the new month. The Blugolds defeated the Eagles 20-14 last year and just came up short against the Pointers by a score of 28-19.
The squad will return home to Carson Park for a pair of home games in the following weeks. They host UW-Platteville on September 21 and UW-Stout on September 28 for the War on I-94.
To complete the regular season, the Blugolds will hit the road to take on national contenders in UW-Oshkosh on November 4 and UW-Whitewater on November 11.
Larson concluded by saying, "Our 2017 schedule is extremely challenging, and our players and staff are working hard knowing the challenges that await us each week."
Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.