LA CROSSE, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team fell to No. 13 UW-La Crosse in the season finale on Saturday, 44-20.
Eau Claire came out firing, as Harry Roubidoux (Fr. – Winneconne, WI) hit Joe Swanson (Sr. – Osceola, WI) for a 67-yard touchdown on the first play from scrimmage, giving the Blugolds an early lead.
The momentum carried over to the defense, as Sam Burzynski (Sr. – Stanley, WI/Stanley-Boyd) intercepted Cade Garcia in the endzone on the following drive.
The Blugold offense was unable to capitalize, however, and the Eagles would score a touchdown on their next possession to tie the game. Following another Eau Claire punt, La Crosse would tack on a field goal to lead 10-7 after the first quarter.
The defense would come up with another takeaway early in the second thanks to a fumble recovery by Trevor Nelson (Sr. – Hammond, WI/St. Croix Central) at the La Crosse eight-yard line. Roubidoux's rush up the middle on the next play and a Brady Frantal (Fr. – Appleton, WI/North) extra point gave Eau Claire a 14-10 lead.
But the Eagles would respond with a touchdown of their own on the following possession to regain the lead and would never relinquish it.
Eau Claire would get on the board one more time in the fourth quarter when Roubidoux and Swanson connected again, this time for a 20-yard score with just under two minutes remaining to cap off a 13-play, 75-yard drive.
Roubidoux finished the day 19-44 for 270 yards, two touchdowns and one interception while Swanson has two catches for 87 yards. Darius Jones (Sr. – Ramsey, MN/Anoka) also had five catches for 71 yards.
Austin Belot (Sr. – Neenah, WI) rushed for 75 yards on 20 carries to finish the season with 1,405 yards, placing him third all-time in program history and currently leads the WIAC.
Alex Mashak (Sr. – Lodi, WI) and Noah Nephew (Fr. – Lakeville, MN/North) each recorded nine tackles to lead the defense.
The Blugolds wrap up their season with an overall record of 3-7 and 1-6 in WIAC play.
