WHITEWATER, Wis. (Blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team wrapped up their 2023 season on Saturday with a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) with a matchup against #5 UW-Warhawks. The Blugolds fell in their season finale 59-0.
After an opening drive touchdown from UWW, UW-Eau Claire fought back during their first offensive opportunity as they looked for an answer. During the drive,
Harry Roubidoux (Jr. – Winneconne, Wis.) completed back-to-back down field passes to
Landon Tonsager (Fr. – Eagan, Minn.) and
Nolan Stans as the Blugolds started to march down the field. A separate 13-yard pass from Roubidoux to
Isaac Garside (Jr. – Bonduel, Wis.) later in the drive kept things rolling for UWEC. The Whitewater defense tightened their play four plays later as Eau Claire turned the ball over on downs.
Despite the 10-play, 45-yard drive by the Blugolds, the Warhawks kept UWEC at bay the rest of the game as UWEC totaled 130 yards over 13 drives.
The UW-Eau Claire defense found their answers sporadically during the final three quarters of play as they forced three Whitewater punts.
Gunnar Hurlburt (So. – Durand, Wis.) captured the lone turnover for the Blugolds in the 4
th quarter with a fumble recovery at the Eau Claire 22-yard line.
Offensive leaders for the Blugolds included Colin Beaudette (So. – Chippewa Falls, Wis.) with 15 carries for 35 yards,
Isaac Garside with four catches for 45 yards, and
Harry Roubidoux with 12 completions for 116 yards. Defensively,
Noah Nephew (Jr. – Lakeville, Minn./Lakeville North) led the team with 11 total tackles and one pass break up.
Malik Johnson () fought hard in the trenches with 8 total tackles.
Isaac Breunig (Jr. – Sauk Prairie, Wis.) tallied one sack and two tackles for losses during the afternoon contest.
The Blugolds finish the season with a 2-8 overall record and a 1-6 WIAC record under first year head coach,
Rob Erickson. UWEC finished 7
th in the WIAC standings above UW-Stevens Point.
