Down 21-17 with only 13:34 left on the season, the UW-Eau Claire football team trotted out the field goal unit with a fourth-down and goal from host UW-La Crosse’s four yardline.

But all along, head coach Todd Glaser knew there was only one option.

“We were going to call a timeout and we were going to go for it,” Glaser said. “We were just trying to figure out what play to run.”

The play the coaching staff drew up paid off, as sophomore quarterback Joel Newman made the Eagles’ defense bite on a play-action pass to find an open Nate Piel past the pylons to propel the Blugolds to a 24-21 lead, a score which propelled the Blugolds to victory on a blustery Saturday afternoon at Veterans Memorial Stadium in La Crosse.

“We’d ran a few times before that, and Joel

(Sweeney) demands so much attention in a defense that it opens up for other guys,” Newman said. “They bit on him running the ball, and we were able to get outside and hit Piel in the back of the endzone.”

Coming into the game, the Blugolds were fresh off a 42-14 loss at home to nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh. Before Saturday, the Blugolds also sat with a record of 1-8.

Glaser said the team put the past behind them and executed plays when needed, something that made him pleased as a head coach.

“We were really proud of our players,” Glaser said. “I think its a tribute to our seniors of our keeping our team together and focused and working hard throughout a difficult season.”

The game plan headed into the contest was simple: run the ball against an Eagles’ defense that allowed 285 rushing yards to the Blugolds a year ago in an Eau Claire win at Carson Park.

Once again, the Blugolds got a huge effort on the ground against La Crosse, and it was once again the senior All-American Joel Sweeney leading the way.

After rushing for 185 yards against the Eagles last year, Sweeney rushed for a game-high 171 yards

Saturday, including two touchdowns from two yards and one yard out.

When Sweeney needed a breather or nurse some soreness, fellow senior Mitch

Olson answered the call. He rushed for 56 yards in the win, and Glaser said the running game, led by those two backs, established themselves right away.

“Our offensive line did a great job of getting the push, and Joel and Mitch did a great of job of finding and running through the holes,” Glaser said.

After Newman connected with Piel, the Blugolds still had to hold the La Crosse offense scoreless for

almost the entire fourth quarter.

As they did all afternoon, they stood their ground and stuffed the Eagles to zero points in the quarter. Glaser said the defense, which forced two fumbles on the day, played well all four quarters.

“The kids were playing hard all the way through the game,” Glaser said. “That really helped us shutting them in the fourth quarter and not letting them score.”

The Blugold offense did its part, as well, as they were able to eat up five minutes of the clock in one drive during the fourth quarter and gave the Eagles the ball back with only 25 seconds left to play in the game.

After the Eagles went four-and-out, the Blugolds knelt on the ball to end the game. Newman said their long and methodical drive was crucial in the fourth quarter.

“We were able to run quite a few different things to keep them off-balance,” Newman said. “It’s a lot easier to convert on third and short than it is third and long.”

While Eau Claire’s victory gave them a 2-8record on the year, Glaser said the win is an important one in order to create some momentum heading into the offseason.

“It gives you a little pep in your step,” Glaser said.

The Blugolds will take those first steps Sept. 6, 2014 against St. Thomas (Minn.).