Contact: Emily Zadny, Director of Athletic Communications, 563-588-7970

Box Score (PDF)

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. (Sept. 7, 2019) – Despite having more offensive opportunities than its opponent, the Loras College football team struggled to get onto the scoreboard until late in the game against the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire (1-0) on Saturday and the Blugolds handed the Duhawks a 35-3 loss to open the 2019 campaign.

"Our guys played with energy and emotion today, but the lack of execution hurt us," said head coach Steve Helminiak. "We had a lot of opportunities early and did not capitalize, which allowed for Eau Claire to take a lead they did not relinquish. Our offense sputtered today which is uncharacteristic of our team. Looking ahead, we need to get our offense on track."

Loras' defense stood strong on the Blugolds' opening drive, forcing them to punt after losing nine yards, and Loras held the following drive for the next 4:28 seconds, making it inside Eau Claire's 10-yard line on 3rd down and one. Quarterback Noah Sigwarth kept the ball for the carry, but Eau Claire's Anthony Rauch got in the mix to force a fumble, recovered by his teammate, Daniel Churchwar. Off that drive, Eau Claire began building its momentum throughout the first 15 minutes of play and took a 7-0 lead in the final minute of the first quarter and took a 21-0 lead going into halftime.

The Duhawks got the break they needed when Jack Foley intercepted Eau Claire's Jonathan Malueg's pass at the Blugolds' own 37-yard line and returned it 40 yards within striking distance for the Duhawks. Loras got within two hashes of the endzone off another carry by Sigwarth, but the Blugolds' defense was not going to give in. Pushing the Duhawks back to fourth and goal at the three-yard line, Loras brought in Timmy Tischer for the 20-yard field goal which the sophomore sent between the goal posts with ease.

Unfortunately for Loras, Tischer's field goal would be the last points added to the visitor's scoreboard for the day as the Bluegolds' went on to score a touchdown with 4:05 left in the third quarter to extend the score 28-3. Sigwarth tried his best to get the Duhawks back within striking distance, rushing for 16 of his 25 yards for the day on the following drive, but could not get the Duhawks more than within 15-yards of the end zone.

The Duhawks had 75 total plays while the Blugolds had 62, but Eau Claire was able to average 5.9 rushing yards per play and 362 total yards while Loras averaged 2.9 yards per rush and recorded 221 yards for offense. The Duhawks' offensive line struggled to protect the pocket as the Blugolds defense came away with seven quarterback sacks for 29 yards.

Sigwarth was 11-32, passing for 96 yards and one interception and ran the ball 22 times. Elijah Thomas totaled 77 net yards on seven carries while Sam Maloney had 51 yards on five receptions.
Defensively, Chris Miller had a team-high seven solo tackles and 11 total while Riley Larson added six solo tackles. Both Miller and Larson had one sack apiece.

On special teams, Nicholas Farfan had eight punts for 262 yards while Trey Simmons recorded 31 yards on kickoff returns and Larson added 25 yards. Brett Matye and Erffmeyer each had an interception.

The Duhawks (0-1) play inside the Rock Bowl for the first time in 2019 on Saturday, Sept. 14, playing host to the Benedictine University Eagles. Kickoff is set for 6 p.m. and links to live in-game coverage can be found HERE.