Rothmeier Named WIAC Offensive Athlete of the Week

UW-Eau Claire running back Paxton Rothmeier earned the honor after a 301-yard rushing performance against UW-La Crosse.

Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Football

Rothmeier Named WIAC Offensive Athlete of the Week

UW-Eau Claire sophomore Paxton Rothmeier was named WIAC Football Offensive Athlete of the Week for the period of October 26 to November 1. The Blugolds defeated UW-La Crosse 27-10 on October 31, with Rothmeier rushing for 301 yards on 45 attempts.

Why it matters

The honor, selected by a vote of WIAC head coaches and sports information directors, marks the second time this year and the second time in Rothmeier's career that he has received it. His performance also helped end a long drought in the rivalry, as the win was UW-Eau Claire's first over the Eagles since October 22, 2016.

The award reflects a single-game performance ranking fourth all-time in Blugold history for rushing yards and attempts, with Rothmeier averaging 6.69 yards per carry against UW-La Crosse. UW-Eau Claire currently holds a 5-2 overall record and 3-2 WIAC mark, and the extraction does not indicate how the award affects the team's conference position.

The players

Paxton Rothmeier

A sophomore running back from Medford, Wisconsin, Rothmeier is a standout rusher for UW-Eau Claire whose 301-yard game ranks among the program's best single-game performances.

UW-Eau Claire Blugolds

The athletic teams of the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire compete in the NCAA Division III Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

The details

Rothmeier scored a 77-yard rushing touchdown before halftime that put UW-Eau Claire ahead 17-10, and extended his rushing touchdown streak to three games. The Blugolds won 27-10 over the Eagles on October 31.

October 26 to November 1: Athlete of the Week award period
October 31: UW-Eau Claire defeats UW-La Crosse 27-10
Saturday, November 7, 1 p.m.: UW-Eau Claire faces UW-Stout in a rivalry game

Season Trajectory

The win over UW-La Crosse snapped a series drought dating to October 22, 2016, shifting momentum in the conference race for the Blugolds. Rothmeier's repeated honors and a rushing touchdown streak now stretching three games position the offense as a key factor heading into the rivalry matchup with UW-Stout.

The Blugolds' rushing attack, led by Rothmeier, now carries a three-game touchdown streak into the November 7 matchup with UW-Stout. Fantasy and campus followers tracking the offense will watch whether his workload holds through the remaining conference slate.

The takeaway

Rothmeier's back-to-back conference honors and rushing numbers make him a player to watch as UW-Eau Claire pushes toward the end of its WIAC schedule.