MENOMONIE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team lost to UW-Stout Polytechnic 28-16 on Saturday despite a third-quarter scoring drive highlighted by
Ayden Helder's 65-yard pass that brought the game to 14-14. The Blugolds finished with 244 passing yards, above their season average of 159.75, and 128 rushing yards, converted seven of 20 third downs and held possession for 33:52. The defense added two sacks, recovered two fumbles and accounted for a safety, while Stout generated 417 yards with 361 through the air.
UW-Eau Claire held the Blue Devils to minus-1 rushing yard and 0-for-3 on third down in a scoreless first quarter, with
Max Marty forcing a fumble that
Jack Scheldroup recovered at the UWEC22. Wis.-Stout completed six of eight passes for 61 yards, while the Blugolds controlled possession for 9:21 but managed 20 rushing yards and one completion for 11 yards while allowing two sacks.
The Blugolds produced 89 passing yards and 45 rushing yards in the second quarter, while Stout finished with 77 through the air and 13 on the ground. UWEC's scoring drive covered 92 yards and included
Ayden Helder's 41-yard completion to
Nick Kihn before Helder found
Madden Mahr for a 34-yard touchdown, with
Connor Radaj's kick tying the score at 7-7.
UW-Eau Claire generated its third-quarter touchdown on a four-play, 75-yard drive, with
Ayden Helder hitting Kihn for 65 yards before Helder ran in from 10 yards out to tie the game at 14-14. The Blue Devils answered with their passing game, finishing the quarter six of nine for 136 yards and two touchdowns while outscoring the Blugolds 14-7 to take a 21-14 lead into the fourth.
The Blugolds' defense accounted for its only fourth-quarter points when
Carson Clark sacked Chase Pemberton in the end zone for a safety at 10:55, and the unit finished the quarter with three tackles for loss, one sack and a red-zone stop on UW-Stout's final possession. Stout scored on a 53-yard touchdown pass and outpassed the Blugolds 87-54 in the quarter, while UW-Eau Claire went 1-for-6 on third down and 1-for-3 on fourth down in a 28-16 loss.
Helder completed 14 of 36 passes for 244 yards and one touchdown and added 31 rushing yards and a score on 12 carries. Helder has scored at least one touchdown in two consecutive games and has reached 1,506 passing yards this season, including 244 during Saturday's game. Kihn caught three passes for 120 yards, a season high and the highest total of his career, and added 24 yards on four punt returns.
Paxton Rothmeier rushed 34 times for 97 yards and caught three passes for 17 yards. Scheldroup recorded a season-high 14 tackles, surpassing his previous career high of 13, and recovered a fumble.
The Blugolds are 6-3 overall and 3-3 in conference play. UW-Stout is 5-4 overall and 3-3 in conference play.
Up next, UW-Eau Claire hosts UW-Whitewater on Saturday, Nov. 14, at 1 p.m. as the Blugolds celebrate Senior Day at Carson Park.
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