Posted 10/20/07
UW-Eau Claire converted six UW-Platteville turnovers into a 40-33 victory Saturday in Carson Park.
Two UWP fumbles led to a quick 13-0 Blugold lead, on a 10-yard pass from Mitch Schaeuble to Chris Hull and a nine-yard Cory Sartorelli run. The Pioneers tied the score on a two-yard pass from John Akim to lineman Elliott Wolf, lined up in a tight end formation, and a Mike Genslinger one-yard scoring run.
Craig Polikfka gave the Blugolds the first of two defensive scores, returning an interception 43 yards for a score. After UWEC took a 27-16 halftime lead, Mitch Ebner returned another interception 31 yards for a touchdown.
Genslinger scored from two yards out, and Tony Smidl kicked a 35-yard field goal, narrowing the deficit to 34-26. Craig Kolb answered with two fourth-quarter field goals for a 40-26 advantage. Akim hit Dan Schwartz with a 17-yard touchdown pass with 30 seconds left, but the Blugolds recovered the on-sides kick and ran out the clock.
The Blugolds improved to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while the Pioneers fell to 2-5, 1-3.
The Pioneers out-gained the Blugolds 361-254, but lost the two fumbles and four interceptions.
Genslinger rushed for 69 yards, and Joe Burkeland 62, while Akim threw for 221 yards and Schwartz caught five passes for 108 yards for the Pioneers, who ran up more than 30 points for the third straight week.
Sartorelli rushed for 119 yards to lead the Blugolds, who commited four turnovers.
UWP's David Pietrowiak, Ben Lusted and Brandon Willger each made interceptions, while Chris Booze recovered a fumble. Both Booze and Justin Athey made three tackles for loss, while David Akey blocked a kick for the third straight week.
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