RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls football team defeated Wheaton College 46-21 on Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field in the NCAA Division III Quarterfinals, advancing to the Semifinals.

UWRF, now 12-1 overall, will continue its historic postseason run next Saturday, Dec. 20 versus Johns Hopkins University in the program's first ever NCAA Semifinal appearance. Game time and location versus the Blue Jays is to be determined.



The Falcons used a balancing offensive attack and a series of timely defensive stops to pull away from Wheaton during the coldest game on record in Ramer Field history as the Falcons and Thunder battled single-digit frigid temperatures. Kaleb Blaha 

UW-River Falls totaled 507 yards of offense and converted 9-of-16 third downs in ice-cold and windy conditions, led by quarterback Kaleb Blaha's four passing touchdowns, completing 32-of-50 passes for 407 yards with no interceptions.

The Falcons struck first on their opening possession, marching 68 yards on nine plays before Blaha connected with Blake Rohrer on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Wheaton answered with a long drive early in the second quarter to tie the game, but the Falcons closed the half with 13 unanswered points to take a 20-7 lead into intermission.

Blaha found Austin Rush for an 11-yard score midway through the second quarter, then Trevor Asher capped a 16-play, 81-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of the half. The Falcons' defense added a key stop before halftime, as Taylor Sussner intercepted a pass in the closing seconds to preserve the two-score advantage.

Wheaton narrowed the gap to 20-14 early in the third quarter, but UWRF responded immediately. Asher broke loose for a 21-yard touchdown run, and moments later Blaha hit Jake Hilton for a 71-yard strike to push the lead to 33-14.

The Thunder opened the fourth quarter with a short touchdown run to make it a 12-point game, but the Falcons again answered quickly. Asher scored his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon from seven yards out, and Blaha later connected again with Hilton for an 18-yard score to seal the outcome.

Asher led the Falcons on the ground with 106 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Hilton finished with three receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while Rohrer caught seven passes for 119 yards and a score. Rush added six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.

Defensively, the Falcons forced two interceptions and repeatedly halted Wheaton on fourth down, limiting the Thunder to 2-of-8 conversions. Sussner recorded 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception, while Peter Ladu added a pick and seven tackles.

UWRF outgained Wheaton 507-429 in total offense and was a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone, all resulting in touchdowns.