Robin Baker Associate Athletic Director, SWA, Business Affairs | UW-Eau Claire Blugolds Website
Robin Baker Associate Athletic Director, SWA, Business Affairs | UW-Eau Claire Blugolds Website
The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire football team began the 2024 season on the road on Saturday with a matchup against the Concordia Moorhead Cobbers. After an early strike in the first quarter and a 7-7 deadlock at halftime, the Blugolds erupted in the final two minutes with touchdowns on both sides of the ball to earn a 21-10 victory.
Isaac Garside was the first Blugold to find the endzone in 2024 after receiving a pass from Harry Roubioux across the middle of the field for a 31-yard receiving touchdown. The opening drive score took just four plays for 62 yards.
In the first half, the Blugold defense came out strong by forcing Concordia to punt on their first three drives. Jake Carmichael, Myles Meiller, and Cole Hendrickson all recorded sacks in the first quarter to keep the Cobber offense quiet. Hendrickson finished the game with two solo sacks for eight yards, while Drake Fortson, Curtis Johnson, and Aidan Drost each found their own individual sacks throughout the game.
With just over five minutes left in the second quarter, Concordia found their first touchdown of the afternoon to tie the game at 7-7.
Gyanni Kanellakis forced the first Cobber turnover of the afternoon with his first interception of the season just before halftime.
The third quarter saw both defenses stand strong and force punts on four consecutive drives. Brady Hoffner snagged his first interception of the year as Concordia was driving late in that period, giving Eau Claire possession on their own 4-yard line.
After a Concordia field goal to begin the fourth quarter, Sam Schradle capped off a 14-play drive of 54 yards with a 1-yard touchdown rush. Schradle's second career touchdown put Eau Claire up 14-10 with just over two minutes remaining.
Peyton Erickson sealed Eau Claire's victory with an interception returned for a touchdown on fourth-and-four, resulting in a final score of 21-10.
The Blugolds (1-0) will host their home opener on Saturday, September 14th against Coe College at Carson Park. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
Follow updates throughout this season at Blugolds.com or via our app Blugold Sports and social media platforms Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook.
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