MARSHALL, MINN.: The University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Cory Sartorelli rushed for a game-high 141 yards and one touchdown to lead the Blugolds to a 42-13 victory over Southwest Minnesota State in the season opener for both teams.
It was the first season opening loss for SMSU since the 2001 season. SMSU was held to just four yards rushing in the game as quarterback Josh Shudlick was sacked eight times in the game for a total of 49 yards.
The Blugolds took a 14-5 lead into halftime before storming out of the second half with two touchdowns to build a 28-5 lead with just over six minutes left in the third quarter.
SMSU answered with its only touchdown drive of the game as sophomore Paul Benesh capped of a 53-yard, six-play drive with a 1-yard touchdown run to cut the UWEC lead to 28-11 with 5:24 left in the third. Shudlick then connected with Tim Cariveau for the two-point conversion to pull SMSU to within 28-13.
But that was as close as SMSU would get in the contest as following the touchdown, SMSU was called for unsportsmanlike conduct pushing the ensuing kickoff back to the 15-yard line. After a return of 26 yards by UWEC's Craig Polifka set up the Blugolds at the SMSU 46-yard line, it took just five plays for UWEC to push across another score and push the lead back to 22 points at 35-13. UWEC would add a late score in the fourth quarter for the game's final score.
UWEC scored the game's first points early in the first quarter as Zach Paul intercepted a Shudlick pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown giving the Blugolds a 7-0 lead. UWEC would add to the lead the next time they touched the ball driving 80 yards in eight plays capped by a Kyle Paulson 2-yard touchdown run with 6:49 left in the opening quarter.
SMSU would finally get on the board midway through the second quarter as the UWEC long snapper sailed a snap over the punter's head through the end zone putting SMSU on the board and trailing 14-2 with 8:29 remaining.
Trailing by 12 with 1:44 left in the first half, SMSU marched 63 yards in just six plays moving the ball to the UWEC 14-yard line but on third and one Shudlick just missed a wide open Justin Van Wyk for a potential touchdown and SMSU had to settle for a field goal by Scott Talcott trimming the lead to 14-5 at halftime.
SMSU finished the game with 22 first downs while Shudlick passed for 365 yards on 32 of 51. The 365 yards was the most by an SMSU quarterback since Adrian Headen passed for 331 versus Wayne State in 2004.
Shudlick, who completed passes to 10 different receivers, connected with sophomore Derek Townsend 10 times for 139 yards. The two totals were both career-highs for Townsend. Sophomore Blake Wilson added five receptions for 54 yards.
Sophomore Zach Wysong led all SMSU rushers with 18 yards on seven attempts.
Junior Tyler Reed and senior Tyler Fischer led the Mustang defense with nine tackles apiece.
Wisconsin-Eau Claire finished the game with 391 yards of offense and collected 18 first downs.
SMSU will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 8 with a non-conference game at Jamestown College (N.D.) in Jamestown, N.D.
