The UW-River Falls Falcons opened their season under the lights against the University of St. Johns Johnnies. Despite having a 14-7 late game lead the Falcons fell 17-14 to SJU.

In the first quarter UWRF would stall their first drive after two offensive holding calls and missed a field goal. SJU took their first drive 11 plays for 78 yards and finished it off with a two yard Jake Essler touchdown run.

With 31 seconds left in the first quarter Ryan Kusilek connected with Charles Dixon for a 19 yard touchdown pass. The connection capped off a nine play 73 yard drive. The Kusilek and Dixon combination was a strong for UWRF tonight. Kusilek finished the game 22-35 passing with 238 total yards and two touchdown passes. Both Touchdown passes were thrown to Dixon who finished with seven catches for 130 yards. Kusilek also was the Falcons leading rusher with 18 carries for 106 yards in the first game UWRF has used their new option offense.

Listen to the first touchdown call by WRFW's Chris Liermann and Ryan Tibbitts.

Listen to the second touchdown call by UWRF's Chris Liermann and Ryan Tibbitts.

The next two quarters both defenses would step up and not allow a point. Nick Zimmerman led the way with nine tackles. Alex Hohenstein had five tackles, a sack and a forced fumble in the game. Jacob Dick added a sack as well. Tyler Ledbeter had one of the most exciting games of the play when he intercepted a trick play flea flicker attempted by SJU. Ledbeter was beat on the play but caught up to it and caught it while jumping in the air and catching it above his head.

Some of the other top offensive performers in the game for UWRF were Robbie Flom and Emmanuel Udeh. Flom was used a lot in wide receiver sweeps and had four carries for 23 yards. He added two receptions but did not play much in the second half of the game. Udeh had seven carries for 25 yards including some big first down carries on short yardage situations.

The fourth quarter turned into a classic. Early in the quarter Kusilek and Dixon combined for another 19 yard touchdown. Dixon took a short post route and broke a tackle at the five to punch it in. The Falcons began to move the ball late in the game trying to close the game. They punted it back to SJU with just over three minutes to go. SJU would make long fourth down and third down conversions to keep their drive alive. With 55 seconds to go Jake Essler ran for his second two yard touchdown of the night. UWRF would go three and out giving the Johnnies a late game chance. After a thirty seven yard completion SJU was in field goal range and freshman Alexi Johnson connected from 40 yards out for the game winning field goal.

Tonight's win was a historic one for St. John's as they were under first year head coach Gary Fasching. Fasching is taking over for long time coach John Gagliardi who was their coach for 60 seasons.

UWRF will play under the lights again next Thursday at 7 p.m., at Ramer Field against St. Thomas. 

Box Score