RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The UW-River Falls football team is headed to the NCAA Division III National Championship for the first time in program history after defeating Johns Hopkins University, 48-41, in a national semifinal thriller on Saturday, Dec. 20 at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field.
The Falcons, now 13-1 overall, outlasted the Blue Jays in a back-and-forth contest that featured six lead changes and was not decided until the final minute. UWRF will now prepare for its first-ever appearance in the NCAA Division III National Championship game, where the Falcons will play the reigning national champions North Central College on Sunday, Jan. 4, 2026 at Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. Kickoff is set for 8 p.m. (ET).
Senior quarterback Kaleb Blaha delivered one of the most prolific performances in program history, completing 30-of-48 passes for a UWRF single-game record 520 yards and five touchdowns, while also rushing for a score. Blaha spread the ball to eight different receivers, leading an offense that amassed 632 total yards. With his rushing and passing total, Blaha reached 5,770 yards of total offense on the season to break an NCAA Division III single-season record, previously set by Joe Callahan of Wesley College, as he accumulated 5,466 yards in 2015. UWRF's previous single-game record for passing yards was set by Ben Beckman in 2019, with a total of 493 versus UW-La Crosse.
Blake Rohrer turned in a career afternoon, hauling in nine receptions for 236 yards and three touchdowns, including the decisive 79-yard score with 45 seconds remaining. Jaylen Reed added four catches for 82 yards and a touchdown, highlighted by a 72-yard strike in the second quarter, while Jake Hilton recorded three receptions for 76 yards and a touchdown.
UWRF struck first on its opening possession, as Blaha capped a five-play drive with a four-yard rushing touchdown. Johns Hopkins responded quickly with a pair of first-quarter rushing scores to take a 14-7 lead, but the Falcons answered behind a 12-play, 77-yard drive finished by a 12-yard Reed touchdown run.
After trading scores late in the second quarter, Johns Hopkins took a 27-21 lead into halftime. The Falcons responded immediately after the break, reclaiming the lead on a 20-yard touchdown pass from Blaha to Rohrer. The teams continued to exchange blows throughout the third quarter, with UWRF scoring three touchdowns in the period to take a 41-34 advantage.
Johns Hopkins tied the game early in the fourth quarter on a 94-yard drive, setting the stage for a dramatic finish. After forcing a stop, the Falcons took possession with under a minute remaining and delivered the game's defining moment when Blaha connected with Rohrer down the sideline for the go-ahead touchdown. On the ensuing Blue Jay drive during JHU's final chance to come back with just 42 seconds left in regulation, Brady Block picked off Bay Harvey's past attempt on the first play to seal the win.
Defensively, Gage Timm led the Falcons with 15 tackles, while UWRF recorded two sacks and an interception. The Falcons also converted all four of their red-zone opportunities into touchdowns.
