EAU CLAIRE, WI (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team was back at Carson Park on Saturday as they hosted #3 ranked UW-Whitewater during UW-Eau Claire's annual Homecoming celebration. The Blugolds started fast with a 14-7 lead in the first but were ultimately outscored in the final three frames in the 45-24 loss.
With a crowd of 5000+ filling Carson Park on a cool fall afternoon, both WIAC teams came out with some fire in a heated WIAC battle.
After surrendering a passing touchdown on the first drive of the game, UW-Eau Claire answered the driving 82 yards down the field in just three plays. Harry Roubidoux (Jr. – Winneconne, WI) hit Nick Kudick (Sr. – Mauston, WI) on a bubble screen to the left side with blockers and space ahead. Kudick weaved his way through the Whitewater defense and ran 66 yards to the endzone for his seventh touchdown of the year. With a successful extra point by Dan Zeuli (So. – Hudson, WI), Eau Claire and Whitewater were locked at 7-7 after seven minutes of play.
A clear momentum swing filled the stadium after the tying touchdown as the Blugold defense forced the Warhawks to punt after six plays to get the ball back in the hands of the home squad. As UW-Eau Claire started at their own 30-yard line, Roubioux and the Blugold receivers found success completing six of the seven passes thrown for positive yardage. On the seventh throw, Isaac Garside (So. – Bonduel, WI) caught a pass across the middle of the field and muscled his way across the endzone for the Blugolds' first lead of the game and Garside's first touchdown of the year. Zeuli completed the drive with his second extra point of the afternoon to extend the lead to 14-7.
UW-Whitewater's potent offense would not be shutdown easily as they drove 73 yards and found the back of the endzone on the following drive to tie the game at 14-14. A blocked punt by the Warhawks on UWEC's next possession put them in the scoring position, but the Eau Claire defense forced a field goal that went wide left of the uprights to keep the teams tied.
As the second quarter continued both sides found their drives shortened. Brady Underwood (Sr. – St. Cloud, MN/St. Cloud Technical) cut one of those UWW drives short with his second interception of the year, giving UW-Eau Claire possession with just under five minutes left in the half.
After the turnover, UW-Eau Claire capitalized to cut the present deficit at hand. Dan Zeuli knocked home a 32-yard field goal to bring Eau Claire to within four points with two minutes to go in the half. UW-Whitewater responded just over 60 seconds of play time later with a field goal of their own to bring the UWEC deficit to 24-17 at halftime.
With 41 combined points between the two teams in the first half, the defenses stepped up in the second allowing only 28 points between the two offenses. A scoreless third quarter and a Warhawk rushing touchdown in the third, grew the UWW lead to 31-17 as the final quarter began.
In the fourth, Isaac Garside recorded his second touchdown of the game on Eau Claire's first drive of the quarter to bring the Blugolds back to within 14 points. A four-minute drive capped of by a touchdown for the Warhawks would seal it as UW-Eau Claire fell 45-24 for their fourth loss of the year.
Harry Roubidoux finished the day with two passing touchdowns and 241 passing yards. Nick Kudick and Isaac Garside combined for 11 receptions for 183 yards and three touchdowns.
On the defensive side, Brady Underwood led the way with a career high 11 total tackles, one pass break up, and one interception. Jake Coachnauer (So. – Farmington, MN) also recorded a career high eight tackles during the afternoon contest. Sam Schradle (So. – Cumberland, WI), Jacob Wysocki (Sr. – Milwaukee, WI/South), and AJ Firminhac (Sr. – Stevens Point, WI/Pacelli) all had six tackles each.
The Blugolds (1-4, WIAC 0-2) return to Carson Park next weekend on Saturday, October 15th when they face UW-La Crosse. Kickoff is scheduled for 11:30AM.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugold Game Day or on our app, UWEC Blugolds.
