EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team fell to tenth ranked UW-River Falls 73-21 on Saturday at Carson Park. Eau Claire managed a strong second quarter, scoring all 21 of their points, highlighted by three touchdown passes, including a 72-yard connection. However, UW-River Falls controlled the game with a total of 633 offensive yards and ten touchdowns, securing the decisive win.
Ayden Helder set a career high in the passing game with 270 yards through the air and tied his career high with three touchdown passes.
Yaach Chuol and
Keagan Christy also had career days as Chuol racked up 228 all-purpose yards and Christy tallied eight total tackles.
UW-River Falls dominated the first quarter, capitalizing on efficient offensive drives to build a 28-0 lead over Wis.-Eau Claire. The visitors secured with two passing touchdowns, including a 51-yard passing touchdown at 9:48, in addition to a rushing score. The Blugolds struggled offensively, managing only 38 passing yards and suffered a blocked punt that contributed to the Falcons' commanding advantage.
UWEC found momentum in the second quarter with a series of strong plays in the final five minutes of the period. Highlighted by a 72-yard touchdown pass from
Ayden Helder to
Yaach Chuol at 2:27, Helder found
Levi Pooley in the endzone at 4:45 and Chuol a second time with 36 seconds left, closing the period with a 21-point surge. The Falcons maintained their lead, adding two touchdowns in the second quarter, including a 50-yard rush at 8:50, and carried a 42-21 advantage into halftime.
The Blugolds faced significant challenges in the third period as the Falcons capitalized on key opportunities to extend their lead. A blocked punt returned for a touchdown by UW-River Falls at 4:25 and an interception thrown at 10:19 were pivotal moments that contributed to the visitors' 17-point surge. UW-Eau Claire struggled offensively, managing only 25 passing yards and being held to negative 31 rushing yards, while penalties and turnovers hampered their efforts. At the end of the period, the Falcons led 59-21.
UWEC struggled to contain the Falcons' ground attack in the fourth quarter, yielding 95 rushing yards and two touchdowns. Frank Daniels led the visitors with a 12-yard touchdown run at 12:44 and a 9-yard score at 1:11, contributing to River Falls' 14-point period. Although the Blugolds managed to convert three third-downs, their drive stalled on a turnover on downs at the River Falls 19-yard line. The game concluded with UW-Eau Claire trailing 73-21.
Yaach Chuol recorded 92 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns, leading the offensive efforts. Chuol added 136 return yards for a career high 228 all-purpose yards on the day.
Ayden Helder finished with 270 passing yards, completing 25 of 41 attempts, and threw three touchdowns. On defense,
Keagan Christy led the way with a career high eight tackles and
Matthew Markett contributed with seven tackles and added half a sack.
Walker Korish was notable on defense with six tackles and forced one fumble.
UW-Eau Claire holds a 3-4 overall record and is 0-4 in conference play. The Falcons boast a 6-1 overall record and a 3-1 mark in conference play.
In their next game, the Blugolds will travel to Stevens Point, Wis. to take on UW-Stevens Point. The matchup is set for Saturday, November 1st, at Community Stadium at Goerke Park, with kickoff at 7 p.m.
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