EAU CLAIRE, WI (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team were back in action on Saturday as they faced off against the Albion College Britons (MI) at Carson Park. Despite a seven point lead at halftime, the Blugolds came up short against the Britons, 28-20.
The Blugold offense started hot as Eau Claire marched 68 yards on the opening drive to earn the game's first tally. A 17-yard touchdown pass from Harry Roubidoux (Jr. – Winneconne, WI) to Nick Kudick (Sr. – Mauston, WI) on a right side out route gave UWEC the early lead.
The Blugold defense fed off the early offensive success with two sacks, three punts, and a forced fumble recovered by Eau Claire kept Albion's offense quiet during their first three possessions. Malik Johnson (Jr. – Lomira, WI) recovered the strip sack by Jake Cochnauer (So. – Farmington, MN) for midfield control by Eau Claire. The Britons answered on the very next play with a fumble recovery touchdown to tie the game at 7-7.
Midway through the second frame, Albion College drove 68 yards down the field and looked to settle for a field goal, but the Britons' kicker missed wide right to keep the game even at 7-7. Two Eau Claire possessions later the Blugold offense took eight plays to drive 71 yards and gain their second lead of the day. After two deep passing plays to Alex Kaminski (Sr. – Weyerhaeuser, WI) and Isaac Garside (So. – Bonduel, WI), Roubidoux found Nick Kudick on an over the shoulder catch in the end zone for a 14-7 lead going into halftime. Kudick's second touchdown of the day brings his season high four touchdowns. Roubidoux increased his career passing touchdown total to 17 with the two first half scores.
Momentum shifted after halftime as Albion tallied back-to-back scoring drives on their first two possessions to find their first lead of the afternoon. Eau Claire kept their patience with over seven minutes of offensive possession in the third quarter to keep Albion on their heels. The Blugold defense took advantage in the early play of the fourth quarter as Brady Underwood (Sr. – St. Cloud, MN/St. Cloud Technical) recorded his second career interception in the Blugold end zone to stop the Albion attack.
After a turnover on downs the following possession, the Britons extended their lead to 28-14 on the next drive, going 68 yards in just four plays.
With less than seven minutes left to play and a two-score deficit, UWEC never quit and posted an 80-yard drive to respond with a Harry Roubidoux two-yard rushing touchdown to cut the lead to 28-20. A missed extra point kept the deficit at eight points with less than four minutes to go.
The final opportunity for Eau Claire came after an Albion three and out following the Roubidoux touchdown. The Blugolds flipped field position with a 39-yard pass caught by Isaac Garside to put UWEC within striking distance. A holding penalty and three incompletions would ultimately seal Eau Claire's fate for their second loss of the year.
Harry Roubidoux finished the day with 26 completions and 335 passing yards. Nick Kudick led the receiving core with 84 receiving yards, with Isaac Garside and Joe Swanson (Sr. – Osceola, WI) recording 157 combined receiving yards. On the defensive side, Ryan Kuechle (Jr. – Mankato, MN/East) tallied ten total tackles. Jake Cochnauer, Noah Nephew (So. – Lakeville, MN/North) and AJ Firminhac (Sr. – Stevens Point, WI/Pacelli) all recorded one sack and combined for 20 tackles, including four resulting in negative Albion yards.
The Blugolds (1-2, WIAC 0-0) will begin Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) competition next Saturday, October 1st when they travel to UW-Stout for the annual "War-on-94". Kickoff from Menomonie, WI is scheduled for 6PM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
