EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team fell to UW-Stout 42-17 on Saturday at Carson Park. UW-Eau Claire managed to find the end zone twice, including a 41-yard touchdown pass, but was unable to overcome UW-Stout.
Eau Claire began the first quarter with a promising 28-yard pass from
Ayden Helder to
Matt Kuczaj, but momentum shifted when Helder's fumble at the Stout 48-yard line was recovered by the visitors. Wis.-Stout capitalized with a 10-play, 52-yard drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown run, setting the score at 7-0. Despite two face mask penalties on the visitors that advanced the Blugolds into scoring territory, they were unable to convert, turning the ball over on downs. Stout extended their lead with a second one-yard touchdown run, ending the quarter 14-0 in favor of the visitors.
The Blugolds opened the second quarter with an connected drive capped by
Paxton Rothmeier's two-yard touchdown run, narrowing the gap to 14-7. Following a successful field goal by
Satchel Johnson from 33 yards out, UW-Eau Claire pulled within 14-10. However, the Blue Devils responded with a 75-yard drive and reestablishing their lead to 21-10 by the period's end.
Stout capitalized on their offensive momentum in the third quarter, extending their lead with two touchdown passes. The Blugolds struggled to keep pace, managing only 42 passing yards and failing to convert on two of three third-down attempts. The home team was unable to find the end zone in the quarter, trailing 35-10 at the end of the period.
UW-Eau Claire opened the fourth quarter by capitalizing on
Aidan Drost's sack and fumble recovery, but an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty halted their momentum. Despite an interception by the Blue Devils that interrupted a promising drive, the Blugolds responded with a 10-yard touchdown pass from Helder to Kuczaj, cutting the deficit. Meanwhile, Wis.-Stout maintained control, scoring early in the quarter with a three-yard touchdown run, securing a final score of 42-17.
Helder completed 25 of 39 passes for 240 yards and a touchdown, though he was intercepted twice. Kuczaj contributed offensively with five receptions for 58 yards and a touchdown. On the ground, Rothmeier logged seven carries for 11 yards and a touchdown while also catching six passes for 64 yards. Defensively, Drost recorded two sacks, a forced fumble, and a fumble recovery.
The Blugolds drop to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play following the loss. UW-Stout improves to 3-1 on the season and 1-0 in WIAC action with the victory.
The next challenge for UWEC football awaits in La Crosse as they prepare to face UW-La Crosse on Saturday, October 11 at Roger Harring Stadium. Kickoff is at 11 a.m.
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