Issued: November 1, 2003

BLUGOLDS HALT LATE COMEBACK IN VICTORY OVER PLATTEVILLE

EAU CLAIRE - The UW-Eau Claire football team jumped to a 35-6 lead early in the third quarter and held on despite a late comeback to defeat UW-Platteville 42-35 here today at Carson Park.

The Blugolds improve to 4-4 on the season and 3-2 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference action while the Pioneers fall to 3-5 overall and 1-4 in conference play.

The game started with both offenses sputtering and the opening quarter saw six straight punts to start the game. The Blugolds finally broke the scoreless tie with 2:17 left in the first quarter when Nels Fredrickson (Jr.-Burnsville, MN) hit Don Kahl (Jr.-Brookfield/East) with a 13-yard touchdown pass to give Eau Claire a 7-0 advantage.

Platteville responded on the next possession with a 45-yard touchdown strike to Matt Kent. After a missed extra point attempt, the score was 7-6.

Eau Claire got in the end zone again two possessions later behind the solid running of Joe Gast (So.-Waconia, MN). After Matt Evensen (So.-Junction City/Auburndale) made a 20-yard reception, Gast ran eight times for 33 yards, including a touchdown run from one yard out, to put the Blugolds on top 14-6. On Eau Claire's next possession, Gast had runs of 18, 17, and 12 yard to set up a one-yard touchdown run from Fredrickson to make the score 21-6.

After a Pioneer turnover on downs with 1:50 remaining in the half, Fredrickson hit Erik Ferguson (Sr.-Rochester, MN/Dover-Eyota) for a 28-yard completion to bring the ball to midfield. After three rushes, the Blugolds had the ball on the Platteville 41-yard line on fourth down and one with just seven seconds remaining in the half. Blugold head coach Todd Hoffner pushed the right button on the final play of the half as Fredrickson hit Ferguson again, this time for a 41-yard touchdown pass as time expired to take a 28-6 lead.

On the first play of the second half, Mike Lansing (Jr.-Janesville/Craig) picked off a Pioneer pass to give the Blugolds the ball on the Platteville 30-yard line. Fredrickson wasted no time getting in the end zone as he hooked up with Evensen for a 30-yard score to give Eau Claire a 35-6 advantage.

Then the Platteville comeback began. Red shirt freshman quarterback Brent Nelson, making his first collegiate start, hit Greg Siebers for a 27-yard touchdown to bring the score to 35-14.

After a Blugold punt to start the fourth quarter, Nelson hit Brian Gallick for a 25-yard touchdown pass to bring the Pioneers within 14.

Eau Claire responded on the ensuing drive as Gast struck again, this time catching a 13-yard pass from Fredrickson to make the score 42-21. The Pioneers answered back, again behind the arm of Nelson who hit Max Seroogy for a 22-yard touchdown reception to bring the score to 42-28. On Platteville's next possession, it was the combination of Nelson and Seroogy scoring again, this time on a 28-yard touchdown pass. With 2:21 left in the game, the score was 42-35.

The Pioneers opted to try the onside kick but Fredrickson, Eau Claire's starting quarterback, recovered the kick for the Blugolds. The Blugolds ran the clock down to 1:11 before punting the ball and Platteville had one final chance, needing to drive 77 yards to tie the game. Nelson drove the Pioneers down to the Eau Claire 39-yard line but a Hail Mary attempt was knocked down by the Blugolds to preserve the victory.

Fredrickson finished the game 17-of-28 for 314 yards and four touchdowns while his counterpart Nelson finished 36-of-60 for 440 yards and five touchdowns. Gast led all rushers with 28 attempts and 112 yards.

Ferguson earned his fifth 100-yard receiving game of the season with 161 yards on six receptions and one touchdown. Evensen added six receptions for 88 yards and a touchdown.

The Blugolds continue action next weekend with a home match up against UW-Stout. The game is set for 1:00 p.m. at Carson Park.