EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The UW-Eau Claire football team ran into a UW-Oshkosh offensive outburst as the Blugolds fell to the Titans 52-13 here today at J.J. Keller Field.
The Blugolds fall to 1-8 overall and 1-5 in conference play while the Titans, who received votes in the latest D3football.com poll, improve to 5-4 overall and 5-1 in WIAC action.
The Eau Claire defense opened the game strong forcing Oshkosh into a quick three-and-out. After the Titans scored a touchdown on their next possession the Blugold defense responded as safety Cody Taubman (Jr.-New Richmond, WI) intercepted a Brett Kasper pass and made a 42-yard return giving Eau Claire the ball on their own 45 yard line.
The Blugolds answered the Titans' second touchdown with a 12-play, 65 yard drive capped quarterback Joel Newman (Jr.-Red Wing, MN) connecting with wide receiver Chris Cummings (Jr.-Milwaukee, WI/Riverside University) on a seven yard touchdown pass cutting the lead to 14-7.
After the Blugold touchdown the Titans scored on four of its next five possessions entering half time with a 38-7 lead.
The second half started how the first half ended for the Blugold defense as Oshkosh scored touchdowns on its first two possessions extending their lead to 52-7.
In the fourth quarter Eau Claire ended the Oshkosh scoring run when quarterback Mark Munger (Jr.-Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) passed to tight end Daniel Brennan (Jr.-Prairie du Sac, WI/Sauk Prairie) on a seven yard touchdown reception.
Newman completed 14-of-32 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown. Munger completed five-of-nine passes for 40 yards and one touchdown. Cummings led the Blugolds with four receptions for 52 yards including a team-best 19 yard reception. Running back Jon Van Geffen (Sr.-Shiocton, WI) led the Eau Claire ground game with 62 yards on 17 carries.
Taubman had a team-best seven tackles. Cornerback Marco Ortiz (So.-Eau Claire, WI/Regis) posted a team-high six solo tackles. Defensive end Jalen Thomas (So.-South Chicago Heights, IL/Bloom Trail) recorded one sack.
The Blugolds will end the 2014 season at home next weekend when they host UW-La Crosse on Saturday, November 15. Kickoff is set for 11:30 a.m.
-KCM-
