By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
WHO: Wisconsin Lutheran College vs. University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire
WHEN: Saturday, September 9 @ 6:10 p.m.
WHERE: Carson Park - Eau Claire, Wis.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - On Saturday, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team will make its 2017 debut at Carson Park, when they play host to the Wisconsin Lutheran College Warriors. Following their week one 47-13 loss at St. Thomas, the Blugolds will attempt to match last year's result of picking up their first win of the season against the Warriors.
In Milwaukee a year ago, UW-Eau Claire topped WLC by a score of 40-14, doubling up the opposition in total offense along the way. Quarterback JT DenHartog (Jr.-Hopkins, MN) led the attack with four total touchdowns and over 200 yards of total offense.
DenHartog served as the feature piece in the offense last week against St. Thomas as well, scoring a passing and rushing touchdown.
The Warriors surrendered 355 yards of offense last week, and if the Blugolds can put up similar numbers, the offense can expect their trips to the end zone to increase, too.
While the Blugolds offense hopes to improve upon their numbers from the season opener, perhaps the defensive side of the game will prove to be the story in this one. In the Warriors' loss to Trinity International last week, they coughed up the ball six times en route to a 58-21 deficit.
Drew Hurley (Jr.-Chatfield, MN/Chosen Valley), Cameron Swanson (Jr. Auburndale, WI/Marshfield), and Ross Curran (Jr.-Lakeville, MN/South) all posted double digit tackle totals against the Tommies. This core, alongside Ryan Ames (Sr.-Shakopee, MN) (one interception last week), will attempt to limit the Warriors on the ground but more so in the air.
Wisconsin Lutheran picked up the majority of their yards against Trinity via Pat Mathieson's near 200-yard performance. Mathieson scored once through the passing game and twice ran it in for the Warriors' three touchdowns. This match-up with the Blugolds is the first of three-straight road contests for Wisconsin Lutheran.
Following this game, Eau Claire has their bye week, so leveling their record before the break is the goal for Saturday night.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
