The Blugolds got touchdowns from their offense, defense and special teams on their way to a 28-7 victory over UW-Stevens Point Saturday. The win moves Eau Claire to 7-2 overall and 4-2 in the WIAC.
“It was good to get a win from them,” senior Nate Rucker said. “Historically we don’t have a good record over there so it was good to get the win.”
This is the best record the team has had since its 2004 season, when they went 7-3.
Neither team could get much started in the first quarter. The Blugolds made it to their own 44-yard line before sophomore Cory Sartorelli fumbled the ball. The Pointers recovered the ball, but on the first play senior Nate Jahn tackled the quarterback, and Rucker recovered, making it to the 13-yard line before being tackled. Sartorelli made it to the three-yard line but fumbled on the first-and-goal. The Pointers recovered, but could not convert the turnover into points.
Late in the first quarter, senior quarterback Mitch Schaeuble connected with sophomore Nils Dillon for a gain of 49 yards. Schaeuble then completed a pass to senior Tony Hull who scored a 20-yard touchdown, giving the Blugolds the lead.
“We came out and played pretty well,” Jahn said. “Our offense was able to put us up pretty early.”
The offense got going again early in the second quarter as Schaeuble had a 25-yard pass to sophomore Brett Schreiner. Sophomore Matt Olson then had a three-yard touchdown to give the Blugolds a 14-0 lead going into the half.
The Pointers scored first in the third, when the quarterback threw a seven-yard pass in for a touchdown.
Later in the third, the Pointers were forced to punt. Jahn blocked the kick and junior Tom Dohr picked it up and ran for a 32-yard touchdown.
“That’s always great to get the offensive boost,” Rucker said. “Especially when special teams and the defense can score a touchdown in one game.”
The defense added to the Blugolds’ score on the next drive. Junior Kyle Meulemans intercepted a pass from the Pointer’s quarterback and ran 35 yards for a touchdown, making the score 28-7.
“Our kids played really hard,” coach Todd Glaser said. “They played very well and the kids on special teams came up with some good plays.”
The Pointers won the previous 15 of 19 games before the win Saturday. Last year, the Pointers beat the Blugolds in overtime by a score of 20-17 on a field goal.
“It was nice to get a little redemption,” Jahn said. “It always feels good when you get the win.”
The Blugolds play their last game of the season Saturday at home against UW-Stout.
“It’s senior day and parents day,” Glaser said. “And it’s against our rivals, so we’re expecting a great game.”
Rucker echoed Glaser’s comments.
“We are going to play as hard as we can,” he said. “And hopefully we can stick it to them and get the ‘W.'”