Patterson a scoring machine with four touchdowns
By Daniel Schoettler
Sports Correspondent
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater running back Drew Patterson continued his impressive season last Saturday as he helped Warhawks strengthen their chances of the team earning its 35th conference title.
The Warhawks went into UW-Eau Claire Oct. 29 and beat the Blugolds 48-6 to improve to 8-0 on the season and 5-0 in conference play.
UW-Whitewater took advantage of each of the first four drives that all began past the 50-yard line. Their first scoring opportunity came midway through the first quarter as kicker Will Meyer knocked one through from 23-yards out to make it 3-0.
Patterson scored his first of four touchdowns on the day on the Warhawks second drive as he ran it in from 10 yards out to make it 10-0. He would get it in again from one yard out early in the second quarter to make it 17-0.
Patterson made his impact known yet again as he took a five-yard run into the end zone to make it 24-0 late in the second quarter.
UW-Eau Claire finally got on the board for their only score of the day when Blugolds quarterback JT Denhartog connected with Matthew Knapp on a 59-yard touchdown pass to make it 24-6.
Early in the third quarter, the UW-Whitewater tried some trickery as Marcus Hudson ran one in for a touchdown from 73-yards out to make it 31-6. Not long after, Patterson was at it again, though this time he scored on a passing play via a 21-yard touchdown reception from sophomore quarterback Cole Wilber.
The Warhawks scored their final points of the game late in third quarter when senior quarterback Chris Nelson connected with tight end Tony Gumina for a four-yard touchdown pass.
Wilber was the leading quarterback for the Warhawks going 12-for-19 for 175 yards and a touchdown. Nelson was 6-for-11 for 93 yards and a touchdown pass.
Hudson was the leading rusher for UW-Whitewater thanks to the 73-yard touchdown run, his only carry of the game. Patterson ran the ball 16 times for 51 yards and three touchdowns on the ground.
Hudson was the leading receiver for the Warhawks with eight catches for 114 yards. Senior Tony Gumina added five receptions for 41 yards and a touchdown.
Bryce Leszczynski and Cal Durni both led the Warhawks in tackles with five a piece. Leszczynski and David O’Gorman each had one interception a piece as well.
UW-Eau Claire was led in passing by Denhartog who went 8-of-18 for 157 yards, one touchdown and two interceptions. Denhartog was also the Blugolds’ leading rusher with 18 carries for 47 yards.
Knapp led the Blugolds in receiving with one catch for 59 yards and a touchdown. Brody Diggins had three receptions for 40 yards.
With the win, UW-Whitewater improves to 8-0 overall and 5-0 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.
The Warhawks return to Perkins Stadium on Saturday when they host UW-River Falls for senior day. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
