By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
WHO: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs. University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point
WHEN: Saturday, October 14 @ 1:10 p.m.
WHERE: Community Stadium at Goerke Park - Stevens Point, Wis.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team travels to Stevens Point on Saturday to take on the Pointers, and both teams are looking for their first Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) win of the 2017 campaign.
It has certainly been a rough patch for the Blugolds in their last three games, being outscored 119-21 since their first win back in early September. They are coming off their most recent loss last Saturday against UW-La Crosse, whom they fell by a score of 45-14.
"We're shooting ourselves in the foot a little bit right now," said Head Coach Dan Larson. "But we believe this next game coming up on Saturday is going to be the one that starts turning things for us."
This might be the best time to catch Stevens Point. They too have lost two straight conference games and by hefty margins. The Pointers dropped a similar score of 35-13 to La Crosse, and last week they were defeated 49-14 by No. 3-ranked UW-Oshkosh.
Stevens Point has dealt with a carousel at the quarterback position this season with injuries playing their part. Despite this, they do have a big offensive line for Division III standards that can offer protection to whoever lines up behind center. Therefore, in order for the Blugolds defense to start turning the tide and limiting the points the opposing offense puts on the board, they will need a big game from their front seven. Putting pressure on this line and getting to the quarterback early and often is sure to be a key to the game.
The Blugolds can expect the Pointers to come out with an added sense of urgency, though, as it is their Homecoming game, and they do still have an overall winning record of 3-2.
On the offensive side of the ball, Eau Claire has an opportunity to redeem themselves and score some points. Looking for that redemption perhaps more than anyone this week is starting quarterback JT DenHartog (Jr.-Hopkins, MN). The junior was pulled after one quarter against the Eagles, while Scott Procter (Jr. – Chicago, IL/St. Rita of Cascia) played well in his absence. This game could very well turn into a shootout as both teams' defenses account for the most points allowed through two WIAC games thus far, so fans can look for DenHartog and company to look to exploit that.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
