Football 12/17/2025 9:00:00 AM

National Semifinal Awaits as Falcons Host Johns Hopkins

History will be on the line this Saturday, Dec. 20 at Ramer Field as the UW-River Falls football team hosts Johns Hopkins University in the NCAA Division III Semifinals. Making its first ever appearance in the national semifinals, the Falcons continue a postseason run unlike any in program history, with a berth in the Stagg Bowl on the line.

UW-RIVER FALLS (12-1, 6-1 WIAC) VS. JOHNS HOPKINS (12-1, 6-1 CENTENNIAL)
Date: Saturday, Dec. 20
Time: 12 p.m.
Site: River Falls, Wis. // Smith Stadium at Ramer Field

THE SERIES

Saturday's game marks the first ever meeting between UW-River Falls and Johns Hopkins University.

NCAA CHAMPIONSHIP HISTORY

UW-River Falls is making its first NCAA Division III playoff appearance since 1996 and most recently defeated Wheaton College 46-21 in the quarterfinals on Saturday, Dec. 13.
The Falcons hosted their first-ever NCAA playoff home game on Nov. 29, earning a 58-7 win over Chapman University in the second round for the program's first NCAA postseason victory since 1995. UWRF followed with a 42-14 third-round win over Saint John's before advancing to the semifinals for the first time in program history, improving its all-time NCAA playoff record to 4-2.

BLAHA & TIMM, ALL-AMERICANS

The WIAC Offensive & Defensive Player of the Year duo of Kaleb Blaha and Gage Timm were named AFCA All-Americans on Wednesday, Dec. 10, becoming the first Falcons to earn the honor since 2023 and the eighth and ninth AFCA All-Americans in UWRF history.
Blaha was named to the First Team, and Timm on the Second Team.
UWRF's two AFCA All-Americans is also the most selections in one season in program history.

UWRF HEADLINES D3FOOTBALL.COM ALL-REGION 6 TEAM

The Falcons dominated the D3football.com All-Region 6 Team, released on Wednesday, Dec. 10, with Kaleb Blaha named the Region 6 Offensive Player of the Year, Gage Timm the Region 6 Defensive Player of the Year, and Matt Walker the Region 6 Coach of the Year.
In addition to Blaha & Timm's All-Region First Team honors, DJ Fox was named to the First Team Offense, Andre Hall on the First Team Defense, Hunter McKinney on the Second Team Offense, and Kody Curtis on the Third Team Defense.
UWRF's total of six All-Region award winners is the most in a single season, and Blaha, Timm, and Walker's Regional Player & Coach of the Year awards are the first in UWRF history.

MATHESON UP FOR COORDINATOR OF THE YEAR

UWRF offensive coordinator and wide receivers coach Joe Matheson has been named a finalist by FootballScoop for the Division III 2025 Coach of the Year Award, presented by TeamWorks.
Matheson, also named the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association's (WFCA) WIAC Assistant Coach of the Year, has helped guide the Falcons to a record-breaking season, guiding the UWRF offense that has consistently this season led all of NCAA Division III in total offense and first downs.

LAST TIME OUT

The Falcons' historic postseason run continued last Saturday, Dec. 13 in River Falls with a 46-21 win over Wheaton College in the quarterfinals as the coldest game on record at Ramer Field as the Falcons and Thunder battled through frigid conditions with a temperature of one degree at kickoff.
UWRF totaled 507 yards of offense and converted 9-of-16 third downs, led by quarterback Kaleb Blaha's four passing touchdowns, completing 32-of-50 passes for 407 yards. With his total offense and completions total, he broke WIAC single-season records with his current total of 358 completions and 5,220 yards of total offense, breaking nearly 40-year-old records set by Kirk Baumgartner of UW-Stevens Point in 1987.
Trevor Asher led the Falcons on the ground with 106 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Jake Hilton finished with three receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while Blaha Rohrer caught seven passes for 119 yards and a score. Austin 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. Taylor Sussner recorded 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception, while Peter Ladu added a pick and seven tackles.

FALCON NOTES

With the most recent win over Wheaton College, UWRF improved to 12-1 overall, continuing the program record for wins in a season.
- In the NCAA playoff second round win over Chapman, UWRF established a program record with 10 wins. UWRF previously had four nine-win seasons in 1979, 1995, 1996, and 2021.
The Falcons were ranked as high as No. 3 by D3football.com this season, the highest in program history.
UWRF is undefeated at home this season with an 8-0 record and maintains a 13-0 record at Ramer Field since 2023.
For the first time in program history since 1988, the Falcons this season defeated UW-Whitewater and UW-La Crosse in the same season.
UWRF owns the top offense in NCAA Division III with an average of 558.8 yards of total offense per game with 396 total first downs.
- In addition, the Falcons rank fourth with 346.8 passing yards per game, fifth with 46.9 points per game, and 10th with a 51.7% success rate on third downs.
Defensively, UWRF is the Division III leader with 36 turnovers gained and 26 interceptions.
- Freshman defensive back Taylor Sussner, the WIAC Newcomer of the Year, leads the team with six interceptions (T-3rd/NCAA), and leads DIII with five fumble recoveries.
Fifth-year senior quarterback Kaleb Blaha, a 2025 Gagliardi Trophy semifinalist for the most outstanding player in NCAA Division III, is the nation's leader in total offense with 401.5 yards per game and passing yards - a WIAC record total of 4,160 yards. In addition, he ranks among the top 10 national leaders with 27.5 pass completions per game, 35 passing touchdowns, 320 passing yards per game, and 23.1 points responsible for per game.
Senior kicker Justin Scheberl, who finished the regular season as the WIAC leader in made field goals and PATs, continues his UWRF single-season records this year with 13 made field goals and 77 made PATs, and ranks sixth nationally with an 86.7 field goal percentage.