LA CROSSE, Wis. — The #9 UW-River Falls football team fell on the road, 28-24, at #22 UW-La Crosse on Saturday, Oct. 26.
The game was neck-and-neck from start to finish, as neither team ever led by more than one possession. The loss dropped UWRF's record on the season to 5-2 overalls and 2-2 in WIAC play.
The Falcons held a 243-171 advantage in passing yardage, but UW-La Crosse's rushing attack made a large difference in the game, as the Eagles ran for 259 yards and averaged 4.7 yards per attempt. In a back-and-forth matchup, the Falcons led early in the fourth quarter but ultimately saw the Eagles pull away with a late touchdown to win by four.
Despite the low passing yardage total for UW-La Crosse, the Eagles capitalized off an eight-yard touchdown pass with 3:52 remaining in the first quarter to put UW-La Crosse on the board first, 7-0. UWRF wasted no time tying the game at 7-7, as Riley Warzynski connected with Austin Rush for a 34-yard touchdown — the touchdown reception is the sixth of the year for Rush.
Early in the second quarter, the Eagles went back up 14-7 behind a three-yard rushing touchdown. Just like in the first quarter, the Falcons quickly responded with a touchdown of their own. Warzynski scored his second touchdown of the day with 9:17 left in the half, this time rushing into the end zone from eight yards out.
As time expired in the first half, Justin Scheberl converted a 42-yard field goal to put UWRF up 17-14 heading into halftime. The kick is a career long for Scheberl and tied for the fifth-longest in program history.
UW-La Crosse opened the second half with a drive lasting over eight minutes, but ended the possession with a missed field goal. After a punt by UWRF, UW-La Crosse responded on the ensuing drive with a 42-yard rushing touchdown by running back Gabe Lynch to move ahead 21-17. Lynch finished with 233 yards on the ground.
After consecutive turnovers by both teams, UWRF went into the fourth quarter driving deep into UW-La Crosse territory. The drive ended early in the fourth quarter with a six-yard rushing touchdown by Cade Fitzgerald to put the Falcons up 24-21. The lead would ultimately be the last of the game for UWRF, as UW-La Crosse scored on the ensuing drive with a two-yard touchdown pass to take a 28-24 lead with 7:55 remaining.
The Falcons saw two more possessions late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to find the endzone as the Eagles held on to win 28-24.
UWRF defensive back Aaron Borgerding recorded 16 total tackles and 13 solo tackles — the solo tackles marked a new career high for the senior. Defensive back Andrew Schumacher recorded both a tackle for loss and interception.
On offense, Warzynski finished with 241 passing yards, 32 rushing yards, and two total touchdowns. Rush's 131-yard receiving performance is the second time he has caught over 100 yards in a game this season. He has found the endzone in five out of the Falcons' seven games this year.
Up next, UWRF will travel to face #22/19 UW-Whitewater on Nov. 2. Kickoff from Whitewater, Wis. is scheduled for 1 p.m.
