CINCINNATI, Ohio - The No. 6-ranked UW-River Falls football team earned a 68-9 win at Mount St. Joseph University Saturday afternoon.
The Falcons' win over the Lions, who are reigning back-to-back Heartland Collegiate Athletic Conference (HCAC) champions, marks the third in a row as they wrap up their non-conference schedule with a 3-0 record.
UWRF compiled a season-high six rushing touchdowns and 507 yards of total offense (303 rushing, 204 passing) while limiting its opponent to a single-digit scoring number for the second game in a row. The Falcon defense also forced four turnovers (including three interceptions) while holding MSJ to 3-of-15 on third downs.
Offensively, seven different Falcons found the end zone, featuring four scores led by quarterback
Cade Fitzgerald who rushed for two touchdowns and passed for a pair. Fitzgerald tallied 278 yards of total offense while both of his passing touchdowns went to
Austin Rush.
Michael Krueger also rushed for two scores and teammates
Trevor Asher,
Isaiah Randall, and
Stephen Reifenberger each had touchdowns.
For the second game in a row, the Falcons blocked a punt and ran it in for a score. During the opening drive for MSJ just minutes into the game,
Andre Hall blocked a Lion put attempt that was recovered and ran in for the game's opening score by
Gage Timm.
UWRF rushed for a pair of touchdowns in the first quarter and had two more scores in the second to claim a 34-9 halftime lead. In the second half, the Falcons shut out the Lions while tacking on 34 more points.
Jack Olson led the defense with a career-high 10 tackles, including a sack and a pass breakup. Three different Falcons had interceptions, including
Cade Schmidt and
Conrad Gingg's second of the season, and
Michael Brown broke up three passes.
The Falcons head into WIAC play next Saturday, hosting UW-Eau Claire during Homecoming.
