PELLA, IA (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team took to the road for the first time in 2022 as they faced off against the #13 ranked Central College Dutch on Saturday. Despite keeping the Dutch to zero points in the first and third quarters, UW-Eau Claire surrendered three straight scoring drives in the second and gave up three straight turnovers in the fourth to fall 31-13.
Box Score | Photos
The Blugold defense kept things quiet for Central in the beginning as they forced three punts and an interception during the first four drives. The third drive for Central was halted after two plays as Jacob Wysocki (Sr. – Milwaukee, WI/South) hauled in his first career interception at the Central 49 to spark some life along the Blugold sidelines.
The defensive strongholds would finally be broken in the second quarter with four total touchdowns between both offenses. Three straight scoring drives by Central College put UWEC at a 21-point deficit with about 7:07 to go in the opening half. Eau Claire's special teams found an answer for the Blugolds during the next drive as Nate Baranek's (Sr. – De Pere, WI) 31-yard punt was muffed by the Dutch returner and recovered by Trey Fitzgerald (Jr. – Mosinee, WI) at the Central 31-yard line.
With 4:34 to go in the half, the Blugold offense capitalized on the Central turnover with the help of a defensive pass interference call in the end zone as Harry Roubidoux (Jr. – Winneconne, WI) hit Tommy Tankhamvang (So. – Rochester, MN/Century) in the back corner of the end zone to make it 21-7 at the half. Tankhamvang's receiving touchdown is the first of his career and Roubidoux's 15th passing touchdown of his career.
The second half wrote a similar start to the first with both defenses coming out strong and holding the offenses scoreless through the 15-minutes. The Blugolds found themselves driving down the field as the quarter ended and the teams swapped end zones for the final time. Ivan Ruble (So. – Clear Lake, WI) tallied 26 of his 100 total rushing yards during the drive in between quarters. Ruble finished the drive with an 11-yard rushing touchdown to the left side to bring Eau Claire within 8 points.
Three turnovers in the fourth quarter for the Blugolds kept them from the end zone for the remainder of the game as the Dutch tallied a 33-yard field goal and one final touchdown to give UWEC their first loss of the season, 31-13.
On the offensive side, Joe Swanson (Sr. – Osceola, WI) led the receiving core with six catches and 82 yards. Isaac Garside (So. – Bonduel, WI) tallied 100 all-purpose yards with three receptions and two rushes.
The defense was led by Sam Schradle (So. – Cumberland, WI) with eight solo tackles, two assisted tackles, and one tackle for a loss. Joel McGrane (So. – Hammond, WI/St. Croix Central) recorded two pass break ups and five total tackles.
The Blugolds (1-1, WIAC 0-0) will be away from competition next week as they serve their bye week. Their next contest will be held on Saturday, September 24th at Carson Park. UWEC will host Albion College (MI) with a 1:10PM kickoff.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
