Adrian NorthrupAfter three quarters played on Saturday, the UW-Eau Claire football team remained in a hard fought battle with UW-Oshkosh, only trailing 10-9.
Costly mistakes on special teams in the second and fourth quarters enabled Oshkosh to come out on top 25-21. The Blugolds failed on both conversions after touchdowns in the fourth quarter as the team dropped to 2-7 on the season with only one game remaining against UW-Platteville next week.
It was the fifth loss of the season decided by eight points or less for the Blugolds.
Eau Claire started the fourth quarter with a one-yard touchdown run by freshman Cory Sartorelli, but the two-point conversion pass was incomplete. Oshkosh responded a few minutes later with a touchdown run of its own, plus a two-point conversion to put the Titans back on top, 18-15.
Sophomore quarterback Kyle Paulson led the charge back down the field and found senior wide receiver Matt Evensen for a 38-yard touchdown. Freshman kicker Craig Kolb missed the extra point and the ‘Golds led 21-18 with 7:56 to go in the game. The Titans scored on a four-yard touchdown run and went up 25-21.
Even though the Blugolds had more total yards than the Titans, 427-384, the failed conversions by the special teams proved to be costly for the team.
Evensen, in his last home game of his Blugold career, had seven catches for 129 yards and a touchdown. Paulson threw for 291 yards and a touchdown and also led the team in rushing with 66 yards. Kolb set a Blugold record with his 11th field goal of the season when he connected from 18 yards out in the third quarter.
Junior Zach Paul led the defense with 12 tackles in the game.
