By Justin Dade - Sports Information
Oshkosh, Wis. (Blugolds.com) - The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team fell to No. 3 UW-Oshkosh 42-7 on Saturday afternoon at Titan Stadium.
The Blugolds had their work cut out for them in this one facing the unbeaten Titans in slippery wet conditions on the road in Oshkosh.
UW-Eau Claire started strong defensively, sacking UW-Oshkosh quarterback Brett Kasper on fourth down on their first drive to take over on downs in good field position. Justin Viss (Sr. – Chatfield, MN) and Kaeleb Stangler (Sr. – Rochester, MN) combined for the sack.
After the Blugolds were unable to capitalize off the good field position, the Titans found the end zone first on a 55-yard touchdown pass from Kasper to Riley Kallas to make it 7-0 with 9:28 left in the opening quarter.
Despite the deflating big play, UW-Eau Claire would respond on their next possession set up nicely by a big kick return from Michael Priefer Jr. (Sr. – Mound, MN). Quarterback JT DenHartog (Jr. – Hopkins, MN) capped off a 9-play, 45-yard drive with a seven-yard touchdown pass to Leeshaun Evans (Jr. – Chicago, IL). DenHartog's fourth passing touchdown of the season made it 7-7 with 4:37 left.
It didn't take long for the Titans to answer as they found the end zone on the first play of their next possession on a 70-yard touchdown pass from Kasper to Sam Mentkowski. The extra point was blocked by Alex Yde (Sr. – Weston, WI) to make it 13-7 with 4:21 to play in first quarter.
UW-Oshkosh would add 13 more points before the end of the half on two more big plays on defensive breakdowns to send it to a score of 26-7 at the half.
DenHartog was 5-12 passing for 50 yards with a touchdown and an interception after one half of play. The junior provided a spark on the ground with 13 carries for 59 yards.
All four Titan touchdowns came on plays of 30 yards or more as they racked up 327 total yards through just two quarters.
The Blugold defense tightened up a little in the second half but still surrendered 16 more points and 209 more total yards falling to the Titans 42-7 who now improve to 8-0.
Ross Curran (Sr. – Lakeville, MN) and Trevor Nelson (Fr. – Hammond, WI) led the team on defense with 10 total tackles each.
The Blugolds (1-8) will finish the season next Saturday on the road against UW-Whitewater. Kick off will be at 1:00 p.m.
Follow all the action on Blugold Game Day.
