ST. PAUL, Minn. (
blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team was back on the road on Saturday for their final nonconference matchup of the season against Bethel University. In a thrilling matchup, the Blugolds found themselves in endzone in every quarter and held a 10-7 lead going into the second. The high-power Bethel offense would be too much as UWEC fell for the second time this season 51-30.
HOW IT HAPPENED
- The Blugolds started strong in the first quarter as Franko Williams (So. – Waukesha, Wis.) caught a 28-yard touchdown pass from Harry Roubidoux (Sr. – Winneconne, Wis.) to even the score with the Royals. Williams' touchdown grab was his first in a Blugold jersey.
- Just before the end of the first quarter, Connor Radaj (So. – Wauwatosa, Wis.) hit a 27-yard field goal to give Eau Claire their first of the game.
- After an answer by Bethel in the second quarter, Franko Williams caught his second touchdown pass of the game to regain the Blugold lead with just over nine minutes remaining in the first half.
- The Royals took back their lead and added to it before halftime with two touchdowns and a field goal to put UWEC at a 15-point deficit after two quarters of play.
- Isaac Garside (Sr. – Bonduel, Wis.) and the Blugolds refused to quit in the second half as Garside hauled in a pair of touchdown receptions to cut the deficit to just eight points. Harry Roubidoux finished the afternoon with four touchdown passes and 402 passing yards. His consistent day brings his season total to 11 touchdowns and 978 passing yards on the year.
- JP Wolterstorff (Sr. – Eau Claire, Wis.) and Brady Hoffner (Jr. – Mankato, Minn.) led the Blugold defense with six tackles a piece with Walker Korish (Fr. – Turtle Lake, Wis.) close beind with five of his own.
- UW-Eau Claire lost the turnover battle on the day but Drake Fortson (Jr. – Durand, Ill.) recorded a strip sack for the Blugolds that was recovered by Jack Scheldroup (Fr. – Glendale, Wis.) early in the first quarter, and Caden Tonsager (So. – Eagan, Minn.) blocked a Bethel field goal on the final Royal drive of the afternoon.
WHAT'S NEXT
The Blugolds (1-2) will take the next week off as they hit their scheduled bye week of the season. UW-Eau Claire will begin Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play on Saturday, October 5
th at Ramer Field. Kickoff from Smith Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.
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