By: Jake Krier, UWEC Sports Information
WHO: University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire vs. University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
WHEN: Saturday, November 11 @ 1:00 p.m.
WHERE: Perkins Stadium - Whitewater, Wis.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (blugolds.com) - The finale to the 2017 season for the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team has quickly emerged. The Blugolds will close the book on the season with their final game taking place on Saturday at UW-Whitewater.
While the Warhawks have a few more losses than they are used to seeing on their record this time of year, they are still a perennial football powerhouse, and the six-time national champions are on a roll as of late. Since starting out the season with a 1-3 record, Whitewater has strung together five straight victories and are currently the No. 23-ranked team in the nation, according to the most recent d3football.com poll.
After falling to No. 3-ranked UW-Oshkosh 42-7 last week, the Blugolds negatively impacted their scoring offense that ranks eighth in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Unfortunately, that does not bode well against the Warhawks defense, which has surrendered the fewest amount of points in the conference through six WIAC games.
"It hasn't been whether or not we can compete against good teams; we've done that all year," said Head Coach Dan Larson. "It's just a matter of whether or not we can put some things together and be more consistent, so that is what we are trying to do this week - play a more consistent game, and play with a lot of confidence."
It will take a consistent effort and complimentary play from the Blugolds offense, defense, and special teams to end the streak of fifteen straight losses to UW-Whitewater.
"This is a continuation of building our program and culture," added Larson. "We want to see them continuing to take that next step."
No matter what happens in this Veteran's Day match-up, the Blugolds will then look ahead to the offseason and the 2018 season ahead, ready to take that next step
Follow the action for all sports this season on Blugold Game Day.
