Box Score

River Falls, Wisc. (uwrfsports.com) – Protecting their home field, UW-River Falls football was able to defeat UW-Eau Claire 41-21 to obtain their first WIAC victory of 2016. Sophomore wide receiver Trenton Monson had a breakout performance tallying 11 catches for a school record 235 yards and two touchdowns.

THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UW-River Falls: 41 UW-Eau Claire: 21
Location: Ramer Field at Smith Stadium, River Falls, WI
Record: UWRF: 2-3 (1-1 WIAC) UW-Eau Claire 1-4 (0-2 WIAC)
 
WHAT HAPPENED

• UWRF started the game off on the wrong foot. On the Falcons first play from scrimmage was a huge completion to Evan Verhota for 35 yards but was fumbled at the Eau Claire 37 yard line by UWEC.
• UW-Eau Claire took over and in an unusual drive, traveled just 14 yards in five minutes and 29 seconds before punting back to UWRF.
• For the rest of the quarter, the teams punted back and forth with no turnovers. The Falcons reached the Blugold nine yard line before the end of the quarter and they were able to punch it in with a four yard pass from quarterback Travon Hearns to Tyler Halverson. Hearns' has now scored at least one passing, rushing, and receiving touchdown in 2016. The only player in the WIAC to do so. The Falcons converted the two point conversion to lead 8-0.
• As the half approached, both teams had not been able to sustain any pressure, but after a strip sack. The Falcons took over at the Falcons 48 yard line with 1:10 to go.
• The Falcons found Monson twice on the drive, the second being a 24 yard catch and score from quarterback Sawyer Moon. The drive went 52 yards in just nine seconds of play to take a 14-0 lead after the failed extra point.
• At the half, the Falcons were able to hold the Blugolds to under 100 yards of offense and sacked Eau Claire quarterback JT Denhartog four times including Kyle Hunter's WIAC leading 7^th sack of the season.
• To start the second half, the Blugolds had a chance to get back into the game, but a safety blitz by senior Tyler Ledbeter for a 10 yard loss ended the drive quickly and the Falcons took over after a punt already in Blugold territory.
• UWRF took over and couldn't punch the ball into the end zone after a drive that got them down to the Eau Claire six yard line. The Falcons turned the ball over after a goal line stand by the Blugolds.
• After the big goal line stand, the Falcons were able to hold the Blugolds right in their tracks. The Blugolds went back two yards in a three-and-out and had to punt out of their own end zone. After a short punt out-of-bounds, the Falcons were in prime position with the start of their drive at the Eau Claire 28 yard line.
• With the short field, the Falcons capitalized with a touchdown. Michael Diggins punched the ball in from a yard out, and extended the lead to 20-0 after the failed two point conversion.
• After a Blugold punt, the Falcons took over to start the fourth quarter. On their first drive, the Falcons sustained their longest drive of the game going 73 yards in seven plays that took just three minutes and 11 seconds. Rance Ashley and Monson were each able to break loose for 36 yard receptions on the drive. Ashley was tripped up at the Eau Claire 3 yard line to set up first and goal. After a negative play, Moon slashed into the end zone to give the Falcons their largest lead of the 2016 season at 27-0.
• Eau Claire scored their first points of the afternoon on the following drive. Denhartog rushed for an eight yard score to cut the lead to 27-7.
• In the fourth quarter, each team scored 21 total points, the Falcons got their second score of the quarter with Diggins' second score of the day. Travon Hearns found Diggins for a nine yard score extending the lead once again at 34-7.
• After a 43 yard completion by Eau Claire, the Blugolds scored again this time from three yards out making the score 34-14.
• The scoring continued as the Falcons final score came in quick fashion. Monson polished off his career day with an explosive 74 yard touchdown reception. Monson's catch is the longest catch in the WIAC this season.
• Eau Claire ended the scoring with a 61 yard touchdown from Denhartog with 4:56 to go in the game. Both teams exchanged punts before the Falcons got into victory formation.

IN-DEPTH LOOK

• The Falcon offense came back to life in the game against UWEC. The Falcons eclipsed 400 yards for the fourth time this season in five games. They finished with the overall advantage in the game with 478 yards to the Blugolds 319.
• Neither team could consistently run the ball. The Falcons averaged 2.3 yards per rush and the Blugolds mustered just 2.1 per rush. Diggins was the leader for the Falcons with 18 rushes for 70 yards and one touchdown.
• Moon and Hearns were able to combine for the Falcons best passing game of 2016. Moon was 13-24 for 292 yards and two touchdowns. Hearns was 7-11 for 97 yards and two touchdowns.
• After Monson, the Falcons had solid days in the receiving core despite injuries keeping multiple players out. Verhota finished with three catches for 85 yards. Ashley caught two passes for 41 yards. Diggins scored his second touchdown through the air, and Halverson hauled in three balls for 16 yards and a score.
• Defensively, the Falcons keep the pressure coming all game long. With six total sacks, the Falcons now are 2^nd in the WIAC with 18 total just one behind WIAC leading UW-Stevens Point.
• With his two scores on the day, Diggins now has six touchdowns which leads all position players for UWRF.
• The Falcons have made a living in the backfield this season on the defensive end. UWRF has three out of the top five players in tackles this season. Ledbeter, Albert Itula and Robbie Flom are number three, four, and five in the WIAC.
• UW-River Falls has not forced the most turnovers in the WIAC this season, but with Flom's fumble recovery against UWEC, he is tied for the league lead with three. Matt Ekman also is tied in fumbled forced in the WIAC with two.
• The young UWRF offensive line continues to protect their quarterbacks extremely well this season. They have allowed either one or no sacks in every single game this season. The UW-River Falls offensive line leads the WIAC in allowed sacks with just three sacks this season.  

THE OPPOSITION

• Denhartog led the Blugold passing attack with 15-25 for 241 yards and one touchdown. He also ran the ball 18 times for a total of 36 yards and another touchdown.
• Matthew Knapp continued his strong season for UWEC. He caught eight balls for 132 yards and a touchdown. Leeshaun Evans also caught three passes for 62 yards in the loss.
• Sam Romanski collected eight tackles in the game to lead the Blugolds defensively. Bo Casper also broke up two passes to extend his lead in the WIAC with nine total.

LOOKING AHEAD
UW-River Falls makes the long trip to UW-Platteville next week to face the top-10 ranked Pioneers. The Falcons last win against the Pioneers was in 2009 in an overtime win. The Falcons last year fell 56-19. The Pioneers won their matchup this week over previously undefeated UW-Stevens Point on the road.