Box Score


Under the lights for the first time since 2006, the Falcon football team fell to UW-Stout, 20-9, in a non-conference game. The Falcons had their opportunities late in the game but were unable to sustain a drive, turning the ball over on downs four times in the fourth quarter while converting just 2-of-13 third downs.
 
The Falcons defense had another good day creating three more turnovers, including interceptions by Alex Adams and Caleb Mandoza.  Brandon Boe fell on a loose ball in the second quarter which led the Falcons first scoring drive.
 
Following the fumble recovery, the Falcons took just three plays to find the end zone. John Schimenz scored on a 13-yard run up the middle, giving the Falcons a 7-3 lead on his first touchdown since 2010.
 
Trailing 13-7 in the fourth quarter, the Falcons marched deep into Stout territory before a failed fourth-and-three attempt handed the ball over on downs killing the Falcons threat at the 16-yard-line.
 
A quick stop by the defense allowed the momentum to swing back in the Falcons' favor. However, it was short-lived as Blue Devils took the ball back on the very next play creating and recovering a fumble.  Michael Blizel took advantage of the field position and hit Trevor Morning on a 35-yard strike, increasing the Blue Devil lead to 20-7.
 
The Falcons had a few more chances, as Robbie Flom took the ensuing kickoff into Stout territory with a career-long 45 yard return. Quarterback Ryan Kusilek drove the Falcons inside the 30, before a pair of incomplete passes stalled another drive.
 
Kusilek was 22-40 on the day for 193 yards. Nathan Brandt was on the receiving end of eight of those passes for 79 yards, including a 36-yarder in the third quarter.
 
Mandoza picked off a screen pass on the following drive to keep the Falcons hopes alive. Kusilek led the hurry-up offense and carried the Falcons inside the five-yard-line, before being stopped on four straight plays ending another threat in the red zone.
 
Backed up in their own end zone, the Blue Devils were forced to punt when Jordan Christianson broke through the line blocking the Stout punt and sending it through the end zone for a safety. It was the first Falcon safety since 2008, cutting the lead to 20-9.
 
Another four-and-out by the offense put an end to the game. The Blue Devils held the ball nearly twice as long on Saturday, with a time of possession of 38:16 to just 21:44 for River Falls.
 
Despite being on the field for nearly 40 minutes the defense came up with some big plays and created turnovers. Jacob Mandoza led the way with 11 tackles, a sack, and 1.5 stops behind the line. Adams, Lincoln Bjorklund, and David Scaro had eight stops a piece in the loss.
 
The loss drops the Falcons to 0-3 as they lost their 13^th consecutive game at Ramer Field. The Falcons will be back at home next week for their annual Homecoming game as they welcome UW-Oshkosh on Saturday with kick off set for 2 p.m.

Box Score