WHITEWATER, Wis. - For the second time this season, the UW-Eau Claire football team was defeated by UW-Whitewater. This time the Warhawks won 40-10 at Perkins Stadium today.

Today's matchup was a non-conference game. The Blugolds fell to 5-3 on the season while Whitewater improved to 7-1. Earlier this year Eau Claire also fell to Whitewater in a conference game by a score of 16-14 at Carson Park in Eau Claire.

The Blugolds got off to a rocky start today with Whitewater picking off a Kyle Paulson (Jr.-Amery, Wis.) pass on the first play of the game. Eight plays later Levell Coppage found the end zone and Jeff Schebler added the extra point to make the score 7-0. The Blugolds answered on the next drive with a field goal by Craig Kolb (Jr.-Marshfield, Wis.) to make the score 7-3.

Whitewater then went on a drive that lasted through the end of the first quarter and the start of the second quarter. In all, the drive spanned 17 plays and 94 yards, chewing up 8:22, and Whitewater once again scored a touchdown. Schebler added the PAT which made the score 14-3. Later in the quarter Schebler nailed a field goal to increase the Warhawks' lead to 14.

On the Blugolds' second drive of the third quarter, Paulson completed a 12-yard touchdown pass to Spencer Kehoe (Jr.-Clear Lake, Wis./Winona State) and Kolb added the point after to make the score 17-10. The touchdown was set up after Whitewater attempted to punt but the snap was low and punter's knee touched the ground to make the ball dead at the two. On the next play Sartorelli lost 10 yards, which set up the 12-yard touchdown on the next play.

After that Whitewater went on a scoring frenzy, putting up points on each of its next two drives in the third. By the end of the third quarter the score was 27-10. The Warhawks then scored a touchdown on their opening drive of the fourth and again on the next drive after intercepting the Blugolds once again. The score was then 40-10 following the interception for the touchdown.

For the day, Whitewater put up 427 yards of offense while the Blugolds were only able to accumulate 216. On the ground the Warhawks shut down the Blugolds, who were only able to come up with 96 yards. Through the air the Blugolds finished with 120 yards.

Cory Sartorelli (Jr.-Appleton, Wis./North) came into the game as the league's leading rusher, but was only able to rush for 67 yards on 19 carries today. He did break the 1,000-yard mark for the season though and now has 1,047. Kehoe led the Blugolds in receiving with 47 yards on four receptions, while Paulson was 13-for-30 passing for 120 yards. He threw one touchdown, three interceptions and was sacked twice.

Coppage led the Warhawks in rushing, carrying 27 times for 173 yards. Jeff Donavan finished the game with 192 yards on 18-for-29 passing, one touchdown and was sacked once. Aaron Rusch led the receivers with 74 yards on seven catches.

Dave Wicklund (Sr.-Kewaskum, Wis./Bemidji St.) led Eau Claire with nine total tackles, including a game-high eight solos. Matt Ebner (Sr.-Mindoro, Wis./Melrose-Mindoro) picked up a sack and Paul Bielmeier (Sr.-Edgar, Wis.) had a fumble recovery.

The Blugolds will be back at home next Saturday for a game against conference opponent UW-Stevens Point. The Pointers come into the game with a 7-1 overall record and a 4-1 conference mark. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Carson Park.

Eau Claire-Whitewater Box Score

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