UW-Eau Claire Has Big Second Half To Defeat Titans

Darrell Souhrada ran for 179 yards and scored three touchdowns as the UW-Eau Claire football team beat UW-Oshkosh, 26-13, in the WIAC opener at Carson Park on Saturday (Sept. 23).

The second half belonged to the Blugolds and Souhrada after the teams played to a 13-13 tie in the first half. Souhrada ran for 104 yards and two touchdowns in the second half.

The Blugold (2-1) defense controlled UW-Oshkosh (1-2) in the second half, holding the Titans to 95 yards. Linebacker Brian Gawronski who had seven tackles, recorded two quarterback sacks on the game. Cornerback Jay Hoyord made 11 tackles to lead the team.

The Titans managed to score first with Chad Lindsley catching a 10-yard pass on the first play following a Blugold fumble. However, it didn't take the Blugolds long to answer. On their next possession, they put together a 67-yard drive that resulted in a 1-yard touchdown run by Souhrada. The extra point attempt failed, leaving the Blugolds down by one. The Titans answered themselves, but it would be the last time. Shannon King scored on a 16-yard pass from Alan Beversdorf. Blugold Mike Lansing blocked the extra point attempt, leaving the Titans with a 13-6 lead. There were only five seconds left in the half when Chad Crutchley caught a 27-yard pass from Brian Rasmussen for a Blugold touchdown. The extra point attempt was good and the half ended with a deadlock.

Rasmussen completed 16 of 31 pass attempts for 210 yards and one touchdown pass. His favorite target of the afternoon seemed to be Jason Foemmel who caught six passes for 98 yards. The Titans' King led all receivers with 151 yards on nine catches and one touchdown. Beversdorf was 18 of 33 with two touchdowns and 234 yards.