MOORHEAD, Minn. (blugolds.com) – The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team began the 2024 season on the road on Saturday with a matchup against the Concordia Moorhead Cobbers. After an early strike in the first quarter and a 7-7 deadlock at halftime, the Blugolds erupted in the final two minutes of the with touchdowns on both sides of the ball to earn the 21-10 victory.
 
HOW IT HAPPENED

• Isaac Garside (Sr. Bonduel, Wis.) was the first Blugold to find the endzone in 2024 after receiving a pass from Harry Roubioux (Sr. – Winneconne, Wis.) across the middle of the field for a 31-yard receiving touchdown. The opening drive score took just four plays for 62 yards.
• In the first half, the Blugold defense came out strong by forcing Concordia to punt on their first three drives. Jake Carmichael (Sr. – Tomah, Wis.), Myles Meiller (So. – Chaska, Minn.), and Cole Hendrickson (Jr. – Madison, Wis.) all recorded sack in the first quarter to keep the Cobber offense quiet. Hendrickson finished the game with two solo sacks for eight yards, while Drake Fortson (Jr. – Durand, Ill.), Curits Johnson (Fr. – Sun Prairie, Wis.), and Aidan Drost (So. – Rice Lake, Wis.) each found their own individual sacks throughout the game.
• With just over five minutes left in the second quarter, Concordia found their first touchdown of the afternoon to tie the game at 7-7.
• Gyanni Kanellakis (Sr. – Cary, Ill.) forced the first Cobber turnover of the afternoon with his first interception of the season just before the end of the second quarter.
• The third quarter saw both defenses stand strong and force punts on four consecutive drives. Brady Hoffner (Jr. – Mankato, Minn.) snagged his first interception of the year as the Cobbers were driving late in the third quarter, giving Eau Claire the ball on their own 4-yard.
• After a Concordia field goal to begin the fourth quarter, the Blugold offense was rewarded for the second time on the afternoon with a 1-yard touchdown rush by Sam Schradle (Jr. – Cumberland, Wis.) to cap off a 14-play drive of 54 yards. Schradle's second career touchdown put the Blugolds up 14-10 with 2:04 left in the game.
• Peyton Erickson (Jr. – Rhinelander, Wis.) was the defensive hero on the day with an interception returned for a touchdown on 4^th and 4, sealing the 21-10 Blugold victory.

 
WHAT'S NEXT
The Blugolds (1-0) will host their home opener on Saturday, September 14^th with Coe College coming to Eau Claire. Kick off from Carson Park is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
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