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Oct. 14, 2000, is a date that bitter Blugold football fans still remember. It was a fall day, perfect for Eau Claire’s Homecoming matchup against UW-River Falls. Perfect until the Blugolds allowed the Falcons to score 65 points to its 44.

The two teams will meet again on Saturday in River Falls for the first time since last season. The Falcons are 1-2 after beating UW-Whitewater last week, while the Blugolds are undefeated. They start off the season 4-0 for the first time since 1998.

Both teams are 1-0 in the conference. As of Oct. 2, Eau Claire is ranked 12th in the nation by the American Football Coaches Association Div. III Coaches’ Poll.

These two teams possess very different scoring strategies. River Falls’ offense is almost entirely based on the rushing game. Only 121 of the team’s 1,017 total yards this season have come through the air, while Eau Claire has used passing and rushing weapons. Of the Blugolds’ 1,625 total yards gained this season, 1,172 yards have originated from passing plays.

Last week’s game against UW-Oshkosh marked the return of senior running back Darrell Souhrada, who missed the first three games with a hamstring injury. In his first game back, Souhrada added another dimension to Eau Claire’s attack by gaining 175 yards on the ground.

Eau Claire coach Todd Hoffner didn’t think the team would change its defensive game plan too much.

“When they do throw the ball, it’s for a home run,” he said. “We are going to be in the same defensive mode as usual, and focus on minimizing the ball carrying of Taylor Hall, (the Falcons’ leading rusher).”

The Blugolds defense has been emphasizing swarming to the ball.

“We’re focusing on pursuit of the ball,” senior defensive back Jay Hoyord said. “Working to get at it no matter where it is, and create havoc in the process.”

The River Falls defense has its work cut out for it, as stopping Eau Claire is more complicated than preventing passing yards.

“If the Falcons just focus on stopping our pass, that will just leave room for (Souhrada) to go do his thing,” senior wide receiver Jeremy Bergeron said.

Hoffner credits his team’s perfect record to its teamwork, and how well the players work together. That is the key to the team’s continued success, he said.

“We need to keep working hard, and take opportunities as they present themselves,” Hoffner said.

Besides securing their perfect record, Blugold players are going into this game with last year’s Homecoming loss on their minds.

“We remember that (game),” Bergeron said. “It just adds fuel to the fire, it helps us to work harder at practice”

Hoyord is also seeking vengeance for the loss.

“Oh, definitely we are looking for a little revenge,” he said. “They embarrassed us on our home field. We are really fired up and ready to take it to them. This is a good opportunity to go there and be 2-0 in the conference, and get the respect back that we’ve earned.”