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Issued: September 9, 2006

FOOTBALL SHUTS DOWN BLACK HILLS STATE, GLASER PICKS UP FIRST WIN

EAU CLAIRE - UW-Eau Claire head football coach Todd Glaser picked up his first win today as the Blugolds defeated the Black Hills State (SD) Yellow Jackets 20-0 in the seventh annual Clear Water Bowl at Carson Park.

The Blugolds' defense was dominant as it held Black Hills State to just 125 yards of total offense and to -3 yards rushing. The -3 yards is the third fewest rushing yards allowed in team history.

Both teams struggled to put points on the board in the first half. After the Yellow Jackets were forced to punt on their first possession, the punt hit a Blugold player and the ball was recovered at the Eau Claire 27 yard line by Black Hills State. However, the Spearfish, South Dakota school was unable to move the ball and a 42-yard field goal attempt by the Yellow Jackets hit the crossbar and the Blugolds took over.

The Blugolds would start moving the ball deep into Yellow Jackets' territory late in the first quarter, but Kyle Paulson (So.-Amery, WI) was sacked on third down to end the quarter. Then on the first play of the second quarter, the Blugolds attempted a 34-yard field goal, but a bad snap forced holder Steve Farina (Sr.-New Berlin, WI/Eisenhower) to run for the first down and he was stopped short as the game remained scoreless.

In the middle of the second quarter, the Blugolds would once again drive the ball inside the 30 yard line of the Yellow Jackets, but a Paulson pass fell incomplete on fourth down and Black Hills took over. The Blugolds would get the ball right back when Zach Paul (Jr.-Edgar, WI) forced a Yellow Jacket fumble that was recovered by Tom Dohr (So.-Neenah, WI) and the Blugolds took over at the Yellow Jacket 44 yard line with just over a minute to play in the half.

The Blugolds drove down to the Black Hills 12 yard line after they converted a fourth-and-six to keep the drive alive. Freshman kicker Craig Kolb (Fr.-Marshfield, WI) then came in and nailed a 30-yard field goal attempt and the Blugolds went into the locker room with a 3-0 lead.

Special teams were the difference at the start of the second half. The Blugolds' Ryan Schulz (Sr.-Maple Grove, MN) returned the opening kickoff 55 yards to the Yellow Jacket 43 yard line. The Blugolds then drove all the way down to the three yard line and then on third-and-goal Kyle Paulson hit Scotty Osborn (Jr.-Fall Creek, WI) for the first touchdown of the day to make the score 10-0.

After a three-and-out on the next Black Hills possession, Craig Polifka (So.-Kewaunee, WI) would return the Yellow Jacket punt 41 yards all the way down to the Black Hills 14 yard line. Four plays later Blugold tailback Eddy Kaiser (Sr.-Duluth, MN/East) leaped over the goal line to make the score 17-0 in favor of the Blugolds.

Black Hills tried a fake punt on their next possession, but Steve Van Meter (Jr.-Shoreview, MN/Mounds View) made a big tackle to prevent the first down. At the start of the fourth quarter, the Yellow Jackets had a chance to put points on the board again, but a 29-yard field goal by Rocky Stevens went wide left and the score remained 17-0.

The Blugolds then drove down the field with most of the yards coming on a 38-yard pass reception from Paulson to Matt Evensen (Sr.-Junction City, WI/Auburndale) that got the ball to the Yellow Jacket 17 yard line. Craig Kolb then came on and hit his second field goal of the day, this time from 38 yards out to make the score 20-0. The Blugolds held the rest of the way and they went on to win 20-0. The Blugolds last shut out was almost a year ago today on September 10, 2005 when they defeated Illinois Wesleyan 46-0.

The Blugolds racked up 267 yards of total offense. Quarterback Kyle Paulson threw four 150 yards on 16 of 27 passing and had one touchdown pass. Matt Evensen led the Blugolds in receiving with six catches for 73 yards. Eddy Kaiser ran for 81 yards on 20 carries and had one touchdown run.

On defense, Sam Cummings (Jr.-Rochester, MN/John Marshall) led the team in tackles with seven and in sacks with two. The Yellow Jackets were just 1-for-15 on third down.

The Blugolds improve to 1-1 on the season, while Black Hills falls to 0-2. The Yellow Jackets have yet to score a touchdown this season.

The Blugolds will hit the road again next week as they will travel to face Alma College (MI). The kickoff is scheduled for noon eastern standard time, 11:00 a.m. central standard time.

Eau Claire-Black Hills State Box Score

- JR -

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