Homecoming week concluded on Saturday, Oct. 12 as the UW-Eau Claire football team took on the UW-Stevens Point Pointers at Carson Park in a Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup.
The game started out as a defensive battle, with neither team scoring until first-year running back Demetrius Bergmann ran a four-yard touchdown to cap off a 70-yard drive for Eau Claire.
“Finding the endzone in college is a different experience. It’s electrifying,” Bergmann said.
Both team’s defenses continued to dictate the game in the second quarter. The Blugolds had two takeaways in the quarter. One was a turnover on downs and the other was an interception.
After a scoreless first 14 minutes of the second quarter, the Blugolds got down the field and kicked a 26-yard field goal with 15 seconds left on the clock. The kick put them up 10-0 going into halftime.
The Blugolds opened the second half with a five-and-a-half minute drive that led to a five-yard touchdown connection from quarterback fourth-year Harry Roubidoux to wide receiver fourth-year Isaac Garside.
Eau Claire then held Stevens Point to a punt, which resulted in another long drive that Bergmann capped off with his second rushing touchdown of the day.
Forty seconds after the Blugolds were up 24-0, they made another crucial defensive play. Second-year cornerback Caden Tonsager picked off a short throw and returned it 31 yards for a touchdown, giving UW-Eau Claire a 31-point advantage and momentum going into the fourth quarter.
“The ball was up, I got it, I saw all my boys blocking in front of me, I could not have done it without them. It was a fun experience,” Tonsager said.
Directly after the pick-six, UW-Stevens Point fumbled the ball and UW-Eau Claire recovered it, giving the Blugolds possession deep in Pointer territory to start the fourth quarter.
Second-year wide receiver Landon Tonsager caught a 20-yard pass that set up a three-yard touchdown run. This time it was third-year running back Sam Schradle that punched in the score.
“Schradle does it all. He can run the ball inside the tackles, he can get to the edge, catch the ball in the backfield,” head coach Rob Erickson said.
The Blugolds scored for the final time with a 44-yard field goal. A couple more defensive stands made the final score a 41-0 Blugold victory, their second of the year.
According to Erickson, the packed and loud crowd of homecoming gave the Blugolds a competitive edge.
“I’m super proud of this community. I’m thankful for Eau Claire and everyone buying into what we’re doing here because there’s going to be many more days like this,” Erickson said. “Keep bringing the energy. There’s something special in the air here with the band and the community,”
UW-Eau Claire football will be back in action against UW-La Crosse at 11:30 a.m. on Oct. 19 at Carson Park.
Davies can be reached at [email protected]
