RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The UW-River Falls football team ended the regular season with a resounding victory, defeating No. 19-ranked UW-Oshkosh 28-14 at Ramer Field on Saturday, Nov. 16.
The Falcons honored its senior class prior to the final game of the regular season. UWRF finishes with a 7-3 overall record and 4-3 WIAC ledger, and will await the NCAA Division III Football Selection Show for their postseason fate. The selection show is set to air tomorrow, Nov. 17 at 4 p.m. on NCAA.com.
The Falcons held a 472-270 advantage in total yards of offense, while dominating the rushing game with a 187-73 edge in team rushing yardage. The win improved UWRF's undefeated home record to 5-0 on the season — the Falcons concluded the regular season 7-3 overall and 4-3 in WIAC competition.
The game started off slow for both offenses, as both teams came up empty on their first two offensive possessions. The Falcons struck the first blow of the game with 3:42 remaining in the first quarter, as quarterback Riley Warzynski connected with wide receiver Blake Rohrer for a 12-yard passing touchdown.
After UWRF ended the first quarter up 7-0, UW-Oshkosh responded on the following drive with a nine-play, 65-yard drive that ended with a 29-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
The Falcons would go on to score 21 unanswered, taking a stronghold on the game. Warzynski completed his second touchdown pass of the day late in the second quarter, this time connecting with wide receiver Jonah Mallberg from 23 yards out. UWRF's defense forced either a punt or turnover on downs on four out of the five UW-Oshkosh possessions in the first half, as the team went into halftime leading 14-7.
After forcing a punt on the first drive of the second half, UWRF extended its lead to 21-7 on the following drive — running back Trevor Asher broke loose for a 30-yard touchdown run, his fifth rushing touchdown of the season.
UWRF held UW-Oshkosh scoreless in the third quarter and extended the lead to three scores midway through the fourth quarter, as a 17-play, 83-yard drive ended with a two-yard rushing touchdown by Ben Wesolowski, putting the Falcons up 28-7.
UW-Oshkosh scored a five-yard rushing touchdown late in the fourth quarter, but UW-River Falls recovered the ensuing onside kick attempt and put the game away for the team's seventh win of the season.
Warzynski finished the game with 267 passing yards off 23-34 passing, throwing two touchdowns — he also rushed for 36 yards off 11 carries. Senior running back Michael Krueger had a memorable performance, rushing for a career-high 104 yards on senior day. Mallberg led all UWRF receivers with 70 yards and one touchdown, while Austin Rush and Stephen Reifenberger each eclipsed 60 receiving yards on the day.
On defense, Aaron Borgerding recorded an interception for UWRF, while three players recorded sacks. Cade Schmidt and Gage Timm led the way with 1.5 tackles for loss each, as UWRF totaled eight tackles for loss as a team. Schmidt and Andrew Schumacher led UW-River Falls with seven tackles each.
