WAUKESHA, Wis. (www.blugolds.com) — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team improved to 2-0 with a 34-17 win over Carroll University (WI) on Saturday at Schneider Stadium. The Blugolds scored 21 unanswered points across their first three scoring drives to shape the game. UW-Eau Claire finished with 267 rushing yards and forced four turnovers, intercepting two passes and recovering two fumbles.
The Blugolds controlled possession for 10:06 in the first quarter and generated six first downs, 75 passing yards and 55 rushing yards, while The Pioneers had one first down, 16 passing yards and 13 rushing yards.
Madden Mahr provided the touchdown by blocking a punt and recovering it in the end zone at 10:51,
Connor Radaj added the PAT, and
Dawson Degelder intercepted a Carroll pass at UW-Eau Claire's 1-yard line as the Blugolds finished the quarter ahead 7-0.
UW-Eau Claire rushed for 108 yards and two touchdowns in the second quarter, with
Paxton Rothmeier scoring on runs of 33 and 64 yards as the visitors outscored the home team 14-7 in the quarter.
Tanner Koltunski's 62-yard interception return set up the first score of the quarter, while Carroll (WI) threw for 153 yards but managed just one rushing yard and went 0-for-4 on third down.
UWEC outscored Carroll 10-3 in the third quarter, with
Ayden Helder hitting
Levi Pooley for 56 yards before an 8-yard touchdown pass to
Mason Sullivan and Radaj adding a 34-yard field goal. Carroll (WI) had six first downs to UW-Eau Claire's three and held the ball for 9:01, but UWEC forced a fumble on a punt return and finished the quarter with a 31-10 lead.
The Blugolds closed out a 34-17 win despite being outscored 7-3 in the fourth quarter, leaning on 74 rushing yards and Radaj's 25-yard field goal for their scoring in the quarter. The Pioneers threw for 124 yards in the quarter, but UW-Eau Claire forced the period's key turnover when
Cooper Bakke forced a fumble that
Brady Puls recovered at the Eau Claire 31 with 3:22 left.
Rothmeier rushed 21 times for 179 yards and two touchdowns and added two catches for 18 yards. Helder completed 12 of 27 passes for 186 yards and one touchdown while rushing for 40 yards on six carries. Mahr caught three passes for 63 yards and was credited with one blocked kick.
Aidan Drost recorded four tackles and two sacks.
UW-Eau Claire improves to 2-0 and Carroll stands at 1-1 overall.
The Blugolds host Carthage College at 1 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 19, at Carson Park in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.
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