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The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater football team continues Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference play at UW-Eau Claire Saturday, October 8. Kickoff is slated for 1:10 p.m. at Carson Park in Eau Claire. The game is Eau Claire's annual homecoming contest.
The Warhawks opened WIAC competition last week with a huge 34-31 win at No. 9 UW-La Crosse. The game was a back-and-forth affair with the team's trading leads throughout until a 39-yard field goal off the boot of Jeffery Isotalo-McGuire (Phoenix, Ariz./Pinnacle) sailed through the uprights with just three seconds remaining to secure the win. The Warhawk defense continues to come up with big, timely turnovers as Egon Hein (St. Charles, Ill./North) picked off the Eagle quarterback prior to the game-winning field goal to give the ball back to the offense.
UW-Eau Claire opened conference play with a 73-29 loss at UW-Stout last week. The Blugolds put up 445 yards of offense but allowed nearly 700 despite holding a slight advantage in time of possession. The majority of EC's yardage came through the air with 256 net passing yards on 19-43 completions.
UW-Whitewater is ranked third in both the d3football.com and American Football Coaches Association national polls this week. The Warhawks are the highest-ranked of five WIAC programs listed in the poll including those receiving votes.
Keys to the game this week are time of possession and conversion efficiency. The Warhwks continue to tire opposing defenses holding possession for nearly 33 minutes in the La Crosse outing. Eau Claire registered 30 minutes of offense last week, their second-highest total of the season. Third down conversion efficiency will also be pivotal. The Warhwks extend drives on third down nearly 51% of the time. The Blugolds convert on third down at just a 29% clip.
ON THE AIR
Saturday's game can be streamed live online on the UW-EC Streaming Portal. Live stats can also be found on EC's streaming portal. The contest can also be heard on 105.9 FM The Hog in the Whitewater/Janesville area, or online at www.1059thehog.com.
SERIES
The Warhawks lead the all-time series against UW-Eau Claire 50-22 since the first matchup in 1923. UW-Whitewater has won the last 18 meetings between the two teams. The Blugolds latest win in the series came on Nov. 2, 2002 with a 30-23 victory on their home field.
WHAT'S NEXT
UW-Whitewater, with arguably the best strength of schedule in Division III this season, makes its return to Perkins Stadium to host No. 16 UW-Oshkosh Friday, October 14 for Family Fest powered by Generac. A fireworks show will follow the game at Perkins Stadium in celebration of Family Fest.
