Box Score



The Falcon football team's defense played another outstaning game and the offense scored two third-quarter touchdowns to help UWRF to a 24-14 win at UW-Stout on Saturday afternoon.

The Falcon defense allowed two long-range field goals and a fourth-quarter touchdown to the Blue Devils. The Falcons allowed Stout just 26 rushing yards and 291 total yards in the win. The 26 rushing yards is the third time this year the Falcons have held an opponent to under 89 rushing yards in a game. The 291 total yards is the third least allowed by UWRF this year. UWRF's defense intercepted one pass and recovered one fumble in the contest.

"I can't say enough about of defense and the great game they had," said Falcon Coach Matt Walker after the game.

UWRF scored the only points in the first quarter when Chad Blair kicked a 31-yard field goal. He is now 7-11 in field goals this year. The field goal came on the game's first possession. UWRF went 72 yards in 12 plays to take the early lead. 

On Stout's first offensive play of the game, UWRF's Nick Zimmerman intercepted a UWS pass at the Falcon 40. It was his second pick of the year and second in his last three games. 

Early in the second quarter the Falcon offense turned the ball over with a fumble. UWS took over at the Falcon 36 but could only gain 16 yards in seven plays. They settled for a 37-yard field goal to tie the game. With just four seconds to play in the first half, Stout kicked a 39-yard field goal to take a 6-3 lead into the locker room. UWS drove 42 yards in eight plays to kick the field goal.

The third quarter was all Falcons. Coming into the game the Falcons had been outscored, 55-6 in the third quarter. But on Saturday the Falcons turned the tables and dominated the quarter.

UWRF took the lead for good, 10-6, when quarterback Ryan Kusilek hit tight end Jon Manke with a 13-yard touchdown pass. The Falcon offense series was set up when UWRF's Jacob Dick tackled the Stout quarterback for a 17-yard loss ona  fourth-and-four play at the Stout 47. The Falcon offense drove 30 yards in seven plays to take the lead.

Later in the quarter the Falcon offense took control of the ball at Stout's 41, after the UWRF defense limited Stout to a negative three yard offensive possession. The touchdown came on a 14-yard pass from Kusilek to Jake Ryan with 1:16 to play in the quarter. UWRF drove 41 yards in six plays to take a commanding 17-6 lead.

Stout then answered by putting together its best drive of the game. They went 75 yards in nine plays to score and make it a 17-14 game. Eric Brown scored the touchdown on a 6-yard run with 13:44 to play in the game.

On UWRF's next possession, they fumbled the ball giving UWS the ball at the RF 37 with 13:38 to play. The Falcon defense allowed Stout just nine yards in seven plays and forced the Blue Devils into a 45-yard field goal attempt. The kick missed, wide left, keeping the Falcons ahead, 17-14. 

The Falcons added an insurance score with just 1:55 to play when John Schimenz scored from 1-yard to put UWRF ahead, 24-14. The Falcons drove 52 yards in six plays to score and took 2:04 off the clock. The big play in the drive was a 49-yard pass completion from Kusilek to Charles Dixon. That gave the Falcons a first-and-goal at the Stout five. Two plays later Schimenz scored.

Schimenz carried the ball 27 times for 69 yards and the one score. Kusilek finished 18-30 passing for 223 yards and two scores. Nathan Brandt had a huge day with 10 catches for 98 yards. With the big game Brandt went over the 100 career reception mark - he now has 108. 

Zimemrman led the Falcon defense with six solo and eight total tackles. He also had two tackles for loss, three pass break ups, a sack and the interception. Nate Smits had three solo and eight total stops. He had 1.5 sacks. The Falcon defense had a season-best seven sacks. 

"Offensively it was nice to see us play physical and make some big plays outside bu our wide receivers," said Walker. "I'm very proud of everyone in Falcon football for continuing to march forward through our ups and downs this year."

The Falcons, now 2-6 overall and 2-3 in WIAC play, will host UW-La Crosse on Saturday in the final home game of the season. Kick off is set for 1 p.m., at Ramer Field. "This will be an emotional week as the senior as preparing to play their final home came of their careers," said Walker. "Today was a great team effort that we can use as momentum going into next week."

Box Score