Blugolds Lose Heartbreaker To Platteville

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Posted: Saturday, October 30, 2004

PLATTEVILLE - The sixth-ranked UW-Eau Claire football team allowed a game-winning touchdown run from less than a yard out as time expired in a 20-17 loss to UW-Platteville here today at Pioneer Stadium.

The loss drops the Blugolds to 6-2 on the season and 3-2 in Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play while the Pioneers snap a three-game losing streak to move to 5-3 overall and 2-3 in the WIAC. The Blugolds had not lost to Platteville in eight straight contests, dating back to the 1995 season.

The Blugolds were the first on the board, taking advantage of a muffed punt return and gaining possession on the Platteville 34-yard line. Eau Claire drove to the two-yard line before settling for a 21-yard field goal by Andy Schneider (Jr.-Green Bay/Ashwaubenon). The field goal was Schneider's sixth of the season in six attempts.

The Blugolds opened up a 10-0 lead with five minutes left in the first half, driving 95 yards on 13 plays for the score. Joe Gast (Jr.-Waconia, MN) rushed nine times for 52 yards on the drive, setting up a nine-yard touchdown pass from Nels Fredrickson (Sr.-Burnsville, MN) to Matt Evensen (Jr.-Junction City/Auburndale).

The Pioneers struck back on the ensuing possession, driving 69 yards to pull within three. Platteville converted on two third-down attempts, including a third-and-goal from the four-yard line for the score. Quarterback Brent Nelson threw for 58 yards on the drive, including a four-yard touchdown pass to Brian Gallick with 51 seconds in the half. The Blugolds were content with a three-point lead heading into halftime.

The Pioneers took the momentum they had gained on their final possession of the first half and marched down the field to take a 14-10 lead on the first possession of the second half. Platteville drove 78 yards on 10 plays, capped off by a Derek Hoff 31-yard touchdown reception from Nelson.

Eau Claire responded with a touchdown drive of its own, marching 70 yards on 12 plays to regain the lead. Fredrickson came through in the clutch twice during the drive, connecting with Darin Kryzanowski (Jr.-Thorp) for a 22-yard gain on third-and-eight and then hitting Don Kahl (Sr.-Brookfield/East) for a 15-yard touchdown on fourth-and-one. Schneider's kick was good and the Blugolds took a 17-14 lead with 6:30 left in the third quarter.

The score would remain unchanged until the final play of the game. The Pioneers drove to the Eau Claire 22-yard line late in the third quarter but turned the ball over on downs while Eau Claire lost a fumble on the Platteville 19-yard line. The Pioneers were unable to capitalize on the turnover, and instead gave the Blugolds good field position with a 17-yard punt. The two teams traded three-and-outs until Platteville's final drive of the game, an 18-play, 78-yard game-winning drive. During the drive, the Pioneers converted on two third downs and two fourth down attempts. Nelson threw for 70 yards on the drive and Mike Haynes had a four-yard run to get the Pioneers to the Eau Claire one-yard line with nine seconds remaining in the game. The Blugold defense held firm on a quarterback sneak by Ryan Munz but with less than one yard to go the Pioneers opted to go for it on fourth-and-goal with two seconds remaining. The call was a good one as Damian Droessler jumped over the pile for the game-winning score as time expired.

Gast finished the game with 150 yards on 34 carries, his fourth straight 100-yard game. Fredrickson was 22-of-32 for 204 yards and two touchdowns in the losing effort.

Nelson finished with exactly 300 yards passing, completing 31 of his 58 pass attempts. Max Seroogy caught nine passes for 86 yards while Derek Hoff caught eight passes for 91 yards and a touchdown.

There is now a four-team tie for first place in the WIAC, with Whitewater, Stevens Point and La Crosse joining the Blugolds at 3-2. The other four teams are all within one game at 2-3.