Issued: October 5, 2002

OFFENSIVE EXPLOSION, STRONG DEFENSE STYMIES BETHEL

ST. PAUL, MN - The UW-Eau Claire offense scored touchdowns on four straight possessions in the first half while the Blugold defense held the potent Bethel offense to over 130 yards under its season average to defeat the Royals 40-0 here this afternoon at Armstrong Stadium.

The win runs the Blugold record to 4-1. The Blugolds are now 3-0 versus Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference schools. The Blugolds defeated St. John's and Augsburg earlier in the year. The Royals fall to 1-4 on the year.

Forced to punt on the game's opening possession, the Blugold offense lit up the Royal defense with four straight touchdown drives. Brian Mitchell (Fr.-Carol Stream, IL) started the scoring spree with a two-yard run that capped off an 18-play, 76 yard drive lasting 6:47 to put the Blugolds ahead 7-0.

The Blugolds marched down the field to open the second quarter with a 9-play, 70 yard drive ending with a two-yard touchdown catch from Don Kahl (So.-Brookfield/East) to make the score 13-0.

Taking advantage of a Bethel fumble recovered by Austin Crow (Jr.-Woodbury, MN) that put the ball on the Royals 19 yard line, the Blugolds added six more points on a Joe Gast (Fr.-Waconia, MN) one-yard plunge to make the score 19-0. The scoring run by Gast was set up by an 18-yard reception to Brad Newton (Sr.-Baldwin/Baldwin-Woodville) from quarterback Nels Fredrickson (So.-Burnsville, MN). Fredrickson was making his first start of the season after suffering a broken bone in his hand during a pre-season scrimmage August 31.

Forcing a Bethel punt after the Royals were pushed back negative-four yards on their next possession, the Blugolds took advantage of a short field once again with a 13-yard touchdown catch to Kahl, his second of the quarter, extending the lead to 25-0.

The Blugolds needed little time to warm up in the second half as Newton and Fredrickson connected on a 13-yard touchdown play at 4:52 of the third quarter to make the score 33-0. The play marked the third touchdown reception for a Blugold tight end on the day.

The scoring bonanza came to a close in a big way when Fredrickson went deep to Jason Foemmel (Sr.-Marshfield) for 71 yards with 0:14 remaining in the third quarter.

Fredrickson provided a huge spark in his return to the Blugold offense, going 21-of-26 for 300 yards and four touchdowns against zero interceptions. The Blugold backfield tandom of Mitchell and Gast each carried the ball 16 times for 56 and 52 yards, respectively. Newton hauled in a team-best six balls for 77 yards while Foemmel and Matt Evensen (Fr.-Junction City/Auburndale) caught five balls apiece for 96 and 72 yards.

In the first start of his career, linebacker Andrew Jones (Fr.-Wild Rose) totaled 12 tackles followed closely by cornerback Derek Sikora (Fr.-Neillsville) with 10 tackles, two for losses. Five different players recorded sacks for the Blugolds, who also forced Bethel into two turnovers. The shutout was the first of the season for the Blugolds.

Up next is homecoming week for the Blugolds who return to WIAC play as they host UW-River Falls at Carson Park. The Falcons are coming off a 35-14 homecoming defeat to UW-Whitewater. Kickoff is set or 1:00 P.M.