RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team fell to 13th ranked UW-River Falls 59-22 on Saturday at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field. The Blugolds were limited to 15 first downs and committed 13 penalties for 110 yards while throwing three interceptions. The Blugolds did scored on all three of their red-zone trips, finishing with two passing touchdowns and one rushing touchdown.
The first quarter ended scoreless as the Blugolds' defense recorded three sacks for 17 yards and held River Falls to 38 total yards, including a red-zone series that ended with a missed 40-yard field goal. The Blugolds have recorded at least three sacks in two consecutive games. The Blugolds finished with 45 yards and converted two of four third downs, with
Ayden Helder hitting
Jayce Kolinski for 20 yards and
Levi Pooley for nine on a late drive that reached the UWRF 43 as the quarter ended.
The Blugolds' passing game accounted for both of their second-quarter touchdowns, with Helder completing 9 of 13 passes for 128 yards and scores to
Paxton Rothmeier and
Eli Thompson. Rothmeier's touchdown reception was his first of the season. UW-River Falls answered with 150 passing yards and two touchdowns, plus a 47-yard field goal to lead 17-14 at halftime.
UW-River Falls outscored the Blugolds 21-8 in the third quarter, using three interceptions and three sacks to hold the Blugolds to 1-for-6 passing for 6 yards. The Blugolds' production came largely on the ground, with 54 rushing yards and an eight-play, 78-yard touchdown drive capped by
Paxton Rothmeier's 10-yard run and a successful two-point pass, but the Falcons took a 38-22 lead into the fourth.
In the fourth quarter, UWRF controlled the statistics, outscoring the Blugolds 21-0 while finishing with six first downs, a 3-for-4 mark on third down and three touchdowns. The Blugolds were held to two total yards, no first downs and an 0-for-3 mark on third down in the quarter, and the game ended 59-22 in favor of the Falcons.
Rothmeier rushed 19 times for 81 yards and one touchdown and added six catches for 57 yards and another score. Rothmeier has totaled at least two touchdowns in two consecutive games. Helder completed 13 of 25 passes for 167 yards and two touchdowns. Kolinski finished with three receptions for 60 yards and added a receiving conversion.
Vince Lenzy recorded three tackles, one sack and one interception. Lenzy has intercepted at least one pass in three consecutive games.
Jake Gregorio led the Blugold defense with eight total tackles, one sack, and has recorded at least eight tackles in two consecutive games.
The Blugolds are 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play. UW-River Falls is 5-2 overall and 2-2 in conference play.
The Blugolds host UW-La Crosse at 11:30 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 31, at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
Follow the Blugolds all season long at Blugolds.com or on our app, Blugold Sports, and on social media on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
