Box Score

The Falcons football team were knocking on the door at Oshkosh but were unable to capitalize as they dropped the WIAC opener 42-7 at Titan Stadium. Oshkosh put together some quick strikes late in the game, compiling five scoring drives of three plays or less - all of which took less than 70 seconds.

Oshkosh was rushed for 370 yards last week in an impressive 56-10 win at Stout but were unable to find any momentum early against the Falcons. The first eight series of the game resulted in a punt and after a scoreless first quarter, the Falcons held the Titans to just nine yards rushing.

The WIAC's leading rusher, Taylor Edwards (Janesville, WI, Parker), recorded his 13th career 100-yard-rushing game as he took the ball 24 times for 117 yards in the loss.

Early in the second quarter, Oshkosh's Nate Wara connected for his first of three touchdown passes as he found Garrie Fox for a 26 yard score. Wara tossed four TD passes last year at Ramer field and now has 41 career touchdowns passes, ranking third in Titan history.

After the Falcons went three-and-out, Wara tried going over the top again, but this time was picked off by Matt Ainsworth (Maple Grove, MN, Osseo) at the three-yard-line. This was Ainsworth second interception of the season and fifth of his career.

The Falcons offense was unable to build off the momentum as another three-and-out gave Oshkosh a shortened field, starting at the UWRF 43. The offense finished with a total of nine three-and-outs and converted just 3-of-19 on third down attempts. Heading into Saturday's contest, River Falls was among the best in the league converting over 40 percent on third downs. After converting their first two of three, the Falcons were 1-for-16 in the final 50 minutes of the game.

Wara took advantage of the field possession, firing two quick passes to Caleb Voss, including a 30 yard touchdown to put the Titans up 14-0 at the half. Wara, averaging a WIAC-best 284 yards of total offense-per-game, finished with 272 yards and ran for another 43 in the Titan victory.

Nate Smits (Hudson, WI, Hudson) picked up two sacks for the Falcons in the loss. The last time a Falcon recorded two sacks in a game was when Ross Potter recorded two against Oshkosh in the 2008 season finale.

Smits' second sack came early in the third quarter forcing the Titans to punt. Greg Klingelhutz (Chanhassen, MN, Holy Family) made his first appearance of the season and returned the punt 63 yards to the one-yard-line. The return was the longest punt return of Klingelhutz's storied career at River Falls, where last year he set NCAA Div. III records for kick returns and kick return yardage in a single season.

Following the Klingelhutz return, Joel Yogerst (Richfield, WI, Slinger) ran it in from one yard out to cut the lead in half, 14-7.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Falcons special teams came through again, this time Jake Ryan (Hastings, MN, Hastings) forced a fumble which was recovered by David Scaro (Elkhorn, WI, Elkhorn) putting the Falcons offense back on the field at the Oshkosh 32.

Trailing by seven and the end zone within sight, the Falcons had the Titans on upset-alert. But that would all change in the next five plays that defined the game. The Falcons could not move the sticks, turning the ball over on downs on four quick plays. This led to a Cole Myhra 70-yard-run to the three yard line, setting up another Titan touchdown.

The final 24 minutes of the game were owned by Oshkosh as they went on to score three more times and held the Falcon to just 37 yards passing in the game.

Lincoln Bjorklund (New Sweden, MN, Sibley East) led the Falcons in tackles for the second consecutive game with eight stops, he leads the team with 27 of on the season. Smits, Alex Adams (Brooklyn Park, MN, Park Center), Jake Mandoza (New Brighton, MN, Irondale), and Trevor Semann (LaCrescent, MN, Winona) each had seven.

B.J. Letourneau (Falcon Heights, MN, Roseville), Wade Smethers (Dalbo, MN, Cambridge-Isanti), and Nate Brandt (Lakefield, MN, Jackson County Central) each took some snaps at quarterback. Brandt rushed for 22 yards, while completing his first collegiate pass attempt.

The Falcons fall to 0-4 overall and 0-1 in the WIAC. The Titans improve to 3-1 overall, with their only loss to No. 2 Mount Union, and 1-0 in the WIAC.

Next week is homecoming week as the Falcons welcome No. 1 ranked and two-time defending National Champions, UW-Whitewater. The Warhawks hold the nation's longest winning streak - at any level - with 34 straight victories, including 22 on the road. Kickoff is at 1:00 P.M. at Ramer Field.

Box Score