RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The No. 6-ranked UW-River Falls football team was victorious 71-14 against UW-Eau Claire this Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field, as the university celebrated its 2024 homecoming weekend.
The win over the Blugolds improved the Falcons' record to 4-0 on the season, and marked the fourth consecutive win over UW-Eau Claire. The Falcons held the Blugolds to 262 total yardage and capitalized off two interceptions and one defensive touchdown. The Falcons passed their season high mark for points scored in a game, while compiling 605 total yards as a team.
The Falcons' 57-point win margin came close to the all-time program mark for win differential over a WIAC opponent, which was set in a 69-6 win over UW-Superior in 1989. Likewise, UWRF came four points shy of tying its all-time record for points scored in a WIAC game, which was set in a 75-14 win over UW-Stevens Point last season.
Quarterback Kaleb Blaha had another productive day, scoring three touchdowns and totaling 220 yards from scrimmage. Quarterback Cade Fitzgerald threw for 112 yards and one touchdown, while rushing for 70 yards and two touchdowns.
UWRF's rushing attack powered the Falcons to an early lead, as 90 team rushing yards and touchdowns from Blaha and Trevor Asher helped UWRF build an early 15-0 lead after the first quarter.
The Falcons saw similar success in the second quarter, highlighted by Cade Fitzgerald's 61-yard rushing touchdown on the left side. The Falcons added touchdowns by way of a 52-yard Blaha passing touchdown, two-yard Blaha quarterback rush, a 40-yard pick-six, and a 59-yard touchdown pass from Cade Fitzgerald to Ethan Chromy to pull away 50-0 by halftime.
UWRF stretched its lead to 64-0 midway through the third quarter, as sophomore receiver Jonah Mallberg hauled in his first career touchdown reception, a 43-yard score from quarterback Ben Wesolowski.
UW-Eau Claire managed two touchdowns by way of a five-yard rushing touchdown late in the third and a nine-yard passing touchdown late in the fourth. UW-River Falls added another rushing touchdown, this time by quarterback Ben Wesolowski, to cement the scoreline at 71-14.
All three UWRF quarterbacks had at least one rushing touchdown and one passing touchdown in the win. Chromy led all players with 93 receiving yards on the day, while Michael Krueger totaled 62 yards. On defense, the Falcons were led by a well-rounded effort across the board — six players led the way with four total tackles each. Jack Olson totaled 1.5 tackles for loss, and Luke Speer and Andre Hall each had one interception.
Up next, UWRF will travel to face UW-Platteville on Oct. 12. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m., and the game will stream on the WIAC network.
