EAU CLAIRE, Wis. — The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire won 23-15 over Alma College on Saturday at Carson Park. The Blugolds scored 17 unanswered points from late in the first quarter through late in the second, building a 17-0 lead at halftime. The Blugolds finished with 216 rushing yards, 22 first downs and 36:36 of possession while forcing two turnovers.
The Blugolds controlled the first quarter with eight first downs and 10:19 of possession, producing 51 rushing yards and 71 passing yards while the Scots had three first downs, 18 rushing yards and 40 passing yards.
Ayden Helder capped a nine-play, 69-yard drive with a 1-yard touchdown run, and
Keagan Christy's interception at the Blugolds 30-yard line helped the home team finish the quarter ahead 7-0.
The Blugolds outscored the Scots 10-0 in the second quarter, getting a 23-yard touchdown run from
Paxton Rothmeier and a 48-yard field goal from
Connor Radaj to move ahead 17-0. The Blugolds held the ball for 9:11, converted their only fourth-down try on
Adam Glynn's 2-yard rush at the Scots 37, and held the Scots to 0-for-3 on third down while the Scots committed four penalties for 40 yards.
The Blugolds ran for 62 yards in the third quarter, including a 17-yard gain by Glynn and a 13-yard first-down run by Rothmeier, but went 0-for-2 on third down and were penalized three times for 20 yards. The Scots held the ball for 8:14, finished with a 5-3 edge in first downs and scored the quarter's only points on Cayden Bell's 4-yard touchdown run and Will Soulliere's PAT to leave the Blugolds ahead 17-7.
The Blugolds controlled 10:20 of possession in the fourth quarter and got 25- and 36-yard field goals from Radaj while finishing the quarter with 56 rushing yards and five first downs. The Scots produced 99 passing yards, including Jason Boge's 46-yard touchdown pass to Ethan Hull and Cayden Bell's successful rush attempt that made it 23-15 with 4:50 left. The Blugolds' defense forced two fumbles, recovered one, recorded an 8-yard sack and held the Scots to 0-for-3 on third down to close out the 23-15 win. A last second hail mary attempt by Alma was broken up by
Connor Durand to seal the eighrt point victory.
Rothmeier rushed 18 times for 146 yards and one touchdown. Radaj converted all three field-goal attempts, including a long of 48 yards, and made both PAT kicks.
Keagan Christy recorded six tackles and an interception with an 8-yard return.
Brady Puls finished with four tackles, one sack and a fumble recovery.
The Blugolds are 1-0 overall. The Scots are 0-1 overall.
The Blugolds travel to Waukesha, Wisconsin, to face Carroll University on Saturday, Sept. 12. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. at Schneider Stadium.
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