The UW-Eau Claire Blugolds opened their football season with an impressive 23-15 victory over Alma College at Carson Park, demonstrating the program’s potential under head coach Rob Erickson. The home team’s dominant early performance set the tone, as they built a commanding 17-0 lead through strong execution across all three phases of the game.
Eau Claire’s offensive attack was led by quarterback Ayden Helder’s early scoring plunge and running back Paxton Rothmeier, who rushed for 146 yards on 18 carries. Kicker Connor Radaj contributed three field goals to secure the victory. The defensive unit, which struggled in previous seasons, delivered a shutout performance in the first half and made a crucial stop on Alma’s final play to seal the win.
Alma, a perennial playoff contender, mounted a late comeback attempt, narrowing the gap to 23-15 with a 49-yard touchdown pass from Jason Boge to Ethan Hull with under five minutes remaining. However, the Scots’ desperate final drive ended when Boge’s Hail Mary pass was deflected as time expired, preserving the Blugolds’ season-opening success.
Coach Erickson called the victory one of the most significant wins of his tenure, citing Alma’s recent playoff history. The team now prepares for their second game at Carroll University, looking to build momentum while remaining focused on continued improvement.
Originally reported by Sports.yahoo →
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