Spring Break
Blugolds overcome 14-point deficit to beat UW-Oshkosh
Football gets back to .500 record with victory
McLean Bennett
Issue date: 10/29/09 Section: Sports
Statistically speaking, UW-Oshkosh held the upper hand throughout all of Saturday's game against UW-Eau Claire.
In an offensively charged match that saw both teams combine for more than 900 yards, Oshkosh ran and passed for nearly 150 yards more than the Blugolds. The Titans also amassed an impressive 31 first-downs to the Blugolds' small-by-comparison 17.
But despite any on-paper statistical superiority, Oshkosh still couldn't muster a win Saturday before its home crowd. The Titans fell 44-35, thanks in part to impressive special teams play by the Blugolds.
"We got some big plays out of our special teams, got some good field position out of special teams. Our defense got some key turnovers," senior running back Cory Sartorelli said. "We just kind of slowly fought our way back into the game and took control of the game."
Eau Claire blocked two field goals and a punt to help secure the win. The defense also added a fumble recovery and an interception to Eau Claire's cause.
Oshkosh jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, though the lead could have been bigger. Oshkosh was lined up for a field goal early in the first quarter, but Eau Claire blocked it.
Eau Claire then scored a pair of touchdowns to tie the game at 14 apiece in the second quarter, but Oshkosh scored two more touchdowns during the half to keep the Blugolds at bay.
But Eau Claire dominated the scoreboard in the second half, putting up two touchdowns and a field goal - and allowing Oshkosh only a single touchdown - to secure the come-from-behind victory.
"It was just a great team effort all the way around," Sartorelli said. "We kind of put ourselves in a hole, but after we were down 14-0 we … really took it to them from there on out."
Sartorelli led the Blugolds' ground attack with 117 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kyle Paulson completed 17 of 23 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Austin Neu completed a single pass for 17 yards.
Sophomore wide receiver David Goodman led the receiving corps with five catches for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Spencer Kehoe caught five passes for 80 yards and one touchdown.
Eau Claire's defense applied plenty of pressure on Oshkosh's offense, sacking Titan quarterback Nate Wara five times and picking off one of his 46 pass attempts. Blugold sophomore defensive lineman Dan Kinsella also picked up an Oshkosh fumble.
The Blugolds will host UW-La Crosse at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Carson Park. Eau Claire will enter that game with a 2-3 record in the WIAC and 4-4 overall record. La Crosse will come into the game 2-3 in the conference and 5-3 overall.
In an offensively charged match that saw both teams combine for more than 900 yards, Oshkosh ran and passed for nearly 150 yards more than the Blugolds. The Titans also amassed an impressive 31 first-downs to the Blugolds' small-by-comparison 17.
But despite any on-paper statistical superiority, Oshkosh still couldn't muster a win Saturday before its home crowd. The Titans fell 44-35, thanks in part to impressive special teams play by the Blugolds.
"We got some big plays out of our special teams, got some good field position out of special teams. Our defense got some key turnovers," senior running back Cory Sartorelli said. "We just kind of slowly fought our way back into the game and took control of the game."
Eau Claire blocked two field goals and a punt to help secure the win. The defense also added a fumble recovery and an interception to Eau Claire's cause.
Oshkosh jumped out to a quick 14-0 lead in the first quarter, though the lead could have been bigger. Oshkosh was lined up for a field goal early in the first quarter, but Eau Claire blocked it.
Eau Claire then scored a pair of touchdowns to tie the game at 14 apiece in the second quarter, but Oshkosh scored two more touchdowns during the half to keep the Blugolds at bay.
But Eau Claire dominated the scoreboard in the second half, putting up two touchdowns and a field goal - and allowing Oshkosh only a single touchdown - to secure the come-from-behind victory.
"It was just a great team effort all the way around," Sartorelli said. "We kind of put ourselves in a hole, but after we were down 14-0 we … really took it to them from there on out."
Sartorelli led the Blugolds' ground attack with 117 rushing yards and two rushing touchdowns. Senior quarterback Kyle Paulson completed 17 of 23 passes for 213 yards and four touchdowns. Freshman quarterback Austin Neu completed a single pass for 17 yards.
Sophomore wide receiver David Goodman led the receiving corps with five catches for 98 yards and three touchdowns. Senior receiver Spencer Kehoe caught five passes for 80 yards and one touchdown.
Eau Claire's defense applied plenty of pressure on Oshkosh's offense, sacking Titan quarterback Nate Wara five times and picking off one of his 46 pass attempts. Blugold sophomore defensive lineman Dan Kinsella also picked up an Oshkosh fumble.
The Blugolds will host UW-La Crosse at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Carson Park. Eau Claire will enter that game with a 2-3 record in the WIAC and 4-4 overall record. La Crosse will come into the game 2-3 in the conference and 5-3 overall.
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