ELMHURST, Ill. – The No. 18-ranked UW-River Falls football team opened the 2022 season with a 63-0 shutout at Elmhurst University Saturday afternoon.
It was UWRF's most points scored during a season opener and a program record for margin of victory. The previous most points scored during a Falcon season opener was 54 points scored against Hope College in 2007 and against the University of St. Thomas in 1995.
The 63-point margin of victory was the largest in program history, besting the previous record of 62, a 69-7 win over Southwest Minnesota State University in 1985. Before UWRF was a varsity program, the Falcons also earned a 63-0 win in 1915.
UWRF totaled 560 yards of total offense while limiting Elmhurst to 79. The Falcon defense caused five Bluejay turnovers with three interceptions and two fumble recoveries.
After going 0-for-2 on their first two possessions, the Falcons were sparked by an
Isaiah Karels sack in the Bluejays' end zone for a safety to put UWRF up 2-0. On the ensuing possession, sophomore running back and River Falls native
Michael Krueger rushed in his first collegiate touchdown from four yards out and the Falcons led 8-0 through one quarter of play.
UWRF kept their foot on the gas and added six more touchdowns in the second quarter to lead 47-0 at halftime, plenty of cushion to coast to victory. The Falcons added two more touchdowns and a
Cade Henry field goal in the second half.
Krueger led the scoring efforts with three rushing touchdowns, while freshman wide receiver
Ron Beauchamp caught two touchdown passes.
All three Falcon quarterbacks found the endzone:
Kaleb Blaha,
Seth Howard, and
Tyler Schweigert, combining for 300 passing yards.
The Falcon defense totaled four sacks, three interceptions, and 12 tackles for loss.
Brayden Wolf led the crew with five tackles.
UWRF has another road matchup next Saturday, Sept. 10 at No. 5-ranked Saint John's University.
