OSHKOSH, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team hit the road on Saturday as they continued their Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) schedule against the UW-Oshkosh Titans. A defensive start by both squads kept the intensity of a WIAC matchup at an all time high as the Blugolds and Titans battled it out for all four quarters. In the end, UW-Oshkosh was able to capitalize on their home turf and delivered a 35-7 loss to UW-Eau Claire.
The Blugold defense started strong and gave UWEC opportunities throughout the first quarter as they forced a punt and a turnover on downs on the Titan's first two drives. A missed field by the Blugolds on their opening drive kept the game scoreless as both sides tried to find the upper hand.
After a Blugold punt ended the opening quarter,
Ryan Kuechle (Sr. – Mankato, Minn./Mankato East) kept the defense roaring with an interception at the UWEC 34 and returned it into Titan territory to set up the Blugold. The ensuing drive for Eau Claire found them on the doorstep of the red zone, but a failed fourth down conversion turned the ball over to UWO. The Titans scored on two of their next four drives to take a 13-0 lead before halftime.
Caden Tonsager (Fr. – Eagan, Minn.) kept the deficit at 13 points before halftime with an interception in the end zone with seconds remaining in the second quarter.
The second half began on the wrong side for UWEC as the Titans added to their lead on their first drive of the 3
rd quarter with a 70-yard touchdown. UW-Eau Claire kept fighting as they found themselves on the board in the beginning of the fourth quarter as
Harry Roubidoux (Jr. – Winneconne, Wis.) found
Hayden Goodman (Jr. – Chippewa Falls, Wis./Chi-Hi) on a 2-yard dump pass to cut the UWO lead to 28-7. Roubidoux's fifth passing touchdown of the year helped Goodman reign in his second career touchdown reception.
UW-Oshkosh answered with a touchdown of their own on the very next drive to hand UW-Eau Claire their second WIAC loss of the year.
Leading the offense on the day was
Ivan Ruble (Jr. – Clear Lake, Wis.) with 123 rushing yards on 28 carries.
Isaac Garside (Jr. – Bonduel, Wis.) caught seven passes for 47 yards. Goodman and
Landon Tonsager (Fr. – Eagan, Minn.) combined for five receptions and 34 yards.
Harry Roubidoux tallied 19 completions for 117 yards. On defense,
Gyanni Kanellakis (Jr. – Cary, Ill./Cary grove) led the team with seven tackles on the day.
Jake Cochnauer (Jr. – Farmington, Minn.) was close behind with six and one tackle for a loss.
Cole Hendrickson (So. – Madison, Wis./Memorial) had two sacks on the day.
The Blugolds (2-4, WIAC 1-2) will continue WIAC play next Saturday as they return home to Carson Park to face off with UW-Platteville. Kickoff from Carson Park is scheduled for 1:10 p.m.
