By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
WHO: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs. University of St. Thomas
WHEN: Saturday, September 2 @ 1:10 p.m.
WHERE: Palmer Field at O'Shaughnessy Stadium - St. Paul, Minn.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The 98th season of Blugolds football commences on Saturday when the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire kicks off their 2017 campaign. As has been the case in each of the past five seasons, the Blugolds will open up the schedule facing perennial top-team, St. Thomas.
Full Schedule | WIAC Weekly Preview
Coming off a 2-8 season in the team's first year under the tutelage of Head Coach Dan Larson, he and the rest of the Blugolds are looking to improve upon that record in year two. A key to doing that may just be the work put in by the team in the offseason.
"Two-thirds of our roster stayed in town over the summer to work out together," said Larson. "And that shows in our culture."
Sure to lead the way on offense this season is returning All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) honorable mention quarterback, JT DenHartog (Jr.-Hopkins, MN). The signal-caller threw 12 touchdowns and ran for four last year while passing for 1,479 yards and rushing for 265 yards. Also expected to step up on the offensive side of the ball is senior running back Gerald Childs (Sr.-Brookfield, WI/East).
As a team, the Blugolds put up 263.9 yards per game a season ago, but they will need to find new ways to distribute the ball in order to replace graduated All-WIAC wide receiver Matt Knapp.
Defensively, the Blugolds will be lead by 2015 All-WIAC honorable mention linebacker Kaeleb Stangler (Sr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall).
Looking at this game in particular, it may be the defense that is tested most of the two units. The Tommies have compiled 20 consecutive home games in which they have scored 30 or more points as well as 23 consecutive regular-season wins.
St. Thomas enters the season ranked No. 5 nationally in the D3Football.com poll with its lone loss last year coming against fellow WIAC school and eventual NCAA runner-up UW-Oshkosh in the national quarterfinals.
While Saturday's match-up is certainly a tough task ahead, UW-Eau Claire will strive to jump out of the gates early on the Tommies as they did so in last year's meeting. After a quarter of play the Blugolds lead 6-0 before eventually falling by a 42-6 final.
Follow the action all season long on Blugold Game Day.
