By Kyle Naber, UWEC Sports Information
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Blugolds.com)- Fresh off a big win over the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse, the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team will look to pull off another upset, this time against the No. 2-ranked University of Wisconsin-Whitewater Saturday afternoon at Carson Park.
Despite an early score by the Eagles last week, the potent University of Wisconsin-La Crosse offense was kept in check by the Blugolds. Overall, the defense allowed the Eagles to convert only two of eight opportunities on third down. Coming into Saturday's contest, UW-La Crosse was ranked sixth in the nation in third-down conversion rates with a 55.4 percentage.
Eau Claire got on the board early in the second quarter. JT DenHartog (So. – Hopkins, MN) found Antwan Moore (Fr. – Evergreen Park, IL) for 23 yards to set up a DenHartog to Matt Knapp (Sr. – Eau Claire, WI/Memorial) 20-yard touchdown pass.
Later in the second quarter, DenHartog rallied the offense for a 15-play, 54-yard drive that resulted in a 34-yard field goal from Austin Kolden (Jr. – Blaine, MN/Coon Rapids). The Blugolds would take their 10-7 lead into halftime with all the momentum.
The Eagles came back in the second half and were a field goal attempt away from making it a tie game, however Joshua Fisher's kick went wide right.
Eau Claire would take the subsequent drive right down the field for another Kolden field goal. A 68-yard rush from Moore highlighted the drive that gave the Blugolds a 20-14 advantage.
Late in the fourth quarter, the pressure continued to mount as La Crosse began to drive down the field. The Eagles had a man deep, but at the last moment Ryan Ames (Jr. – Shakopee, MN) stepped in and intercepted the pass to secure the win for Eau Claire.
Scouting the opponent:
No. 2-ranked UW-Whitewater is 7-0 and are fresh off a 24-2 win over the University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point. The Warhawks have the best run defense in the conference and have a very talented front seven that put a lot of pressure on quarterbacks and make it difficult to get things going on the ground.
The Warhawks have allowed a WIAC-worst 347 yards a game through the air, but those numbers may be a little high after facing the No. 6-ranked University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh and the No. 18-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville.
On the other side of the ball for Whitewater, their passing attack is good, but is not the highlight of the offense. It is their running back, Drew Patterson, that will be a big factor in Saturday's game. Patterson averages 130 rushing yards per game this season – the best in the WIAC - and has already scored 12 touchdowns.
Keys to the game:
-Play Physical- Whitewater is the definition of WIAC football, hard-nosed and physical. Eau Claire has to be aggressive, physical, and play four complete quarters again this week.
-Get Matt Knapp the ball- Whitewater has a very tough run defense, but are susceptible through the air. Knapp has been held rather quiet the past few weeks, but despite not having a lot of receptions; Knapp makes his impact in other areas. On Saturday the Blugolds will need the senior to have a big game.
Follow the action Saturday on Blugold Game Day.
