ST. PAUL, Minn. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team opened the 2017 season at No. 5 University of St. Thomas on Saturday, falling to the Tommies, 47-13.
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The Blugolds got on the board first, as quarterback JT DenHartog (Jr. - Hopkins, MN) broke free for a 65-yard touchdown run. The extra point was wide left but UW-Eau Claire still held a 6-0 lead just 2:40 into the game.
The Eau Claire defense was dialed in, forcing a three and out on St. Thomas' first possession. Kaeleb Stangler (Sr. - Rochester, MN/John Marshall) led the way, recording a sack for an eight-yard loss on second down and followed with a pass breakup on third down to force the punt.
The Blugolds and Tommies would then trade punts for the next three possessions before the Tommies would find the end zone with 28 seconds left in the first quarter. Eau Claire would block the extra point to keep the score locked at six apiece after one quarter of play.
The Eau Claire offense would stall in the second quarter as they were forced to punt in each possession while the Tommies were able to score twice more to take a 21-6 lead into the locker room.
St. Thomas showed why they are ranked in the top five in the third quarter, scoring 21 unanswered points. The Blugold defense buckled down in the fourth quarter, however, holding the Tommies to only a field goal.
Eau Claire got on the board one more time in the fourth quarter as DenHartog connected with Leeshaun Evans (Jr. – Chicago, IL/Kaneland) for a 75-yard touchdown. It would not be enough though as the Blugolds fell, 47-13.
DenHartog was 9-for-17 with 112 passing yards while using his legs to rush for 68 more.
On the defensive side, Drew Hurley (Jr. – Chatfield, MN/Chosen Valley) led the way with 11 total tackles while Cameron Swanson (Jr. – Auburndale, WI/Marshfield) and Ross Curran (Jr. – Lakeville, MN/South) tallied 10.
Stangler, Sam Romanski (Jr. – Wausau, WI/East), Darius Sims (Jr. – Chicago, IL/Hubbard) and Jalen Thomas (Fr. – Flossmor, IL/Bloom Trail) all recorded sacks for Eau Claire while Ryan Ames (Sr. – Shakopee, MN) claimed the only takeaway of the game, snagging an interception in the fourth quarter.
The Blugolds (0-1) will have their home opener next Saturday as they host Wisconsin Lutheran at Carson Park with kick-off slated for 6:10 p.m. Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
