The No. 13-ranked UW-River Falls football team returns to Ramer Field this Saturday to host UW-Eau Claire, which enters with a 5-1 record, its best start to a season since 2011. The Blugolds received votes in both the D3football.com Top 25 and AFCA Coaches polls.

The game will also serve as UWRF Football Alumni Day and Breast Cancer Awareness Day, with fans encouraged to wear pink in support.

UW-RIVER FALLS (4-2, 1-2 WIAC) VS. UW-EAU CLAIRE (5-1, 2-1 WIAC)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 24
Time: 1 p.m.
Site: River Falls, Wis. // Smith Stadium at Ramer Field
Live Stream: WIAC Network
Radio: 95.7 FM St. Croix Country WSCM | Audio stream on WSCM or Civic Media App



GAMEDAY INFORMATION

• Online Ticketing
  • Admission to all UWRF Football home events for the 2026 season will be sold exclusively online.
    • NEW in 2026: UWRF student tickets remain FREE, but students must claim their tickets exclusively online through the 2026-27 Student All-Sports Membership. VIEW STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS.
• No Readmittance Policy
  • Once a ticket is scanned for entry, there is no re-entry allowed. This policy applies to all fans, including students and guests. Exceptions for medical or accessibility reasons must be arranged with stadium staff at entry. The policy aims to enhance safety and streamline operations.
• Tailgating and Parking Policy
  • Tailgating is allowed in Pay Lot 3 starting 4 hours before kickoff and must conclude 2 hours after the game. Only one vehicle per space is permitted. Propane and gas grills are allowed; charcoal and open flames are not. All fans are expected to clean up and behave responsibly. Parking is $10 for single vehicles and $25 for RVs/oversized vehicles.
• Gameday Alcohol Sales
  • UWRF Athletics is proud to partner with Chartwells to offer beer and wine for purchase inside Smith Stadium.
  • Beer and wine sales will be available when gates open (90 minutes prior to kickoff) until the end of the third quarter.
    • NEW in 2026: Swinging Bridge Brewing Company's official UWRF co-branded craft beers, Falcon Red and Falcon Flight Light, will be available at Falcon football games and can be enjoyed throughout Smith Stadium.
• Read fully detailed information HERE

AGAINST THE BLUGOLDS

• Saturday's contest marks the 103rd all-time matchup between the Falcons and Blugolds, with UWRF holding a 58-37-7 series advantage.
• The Falcons have won five in a row over the Blugolds, including a 73-21 victory last season in Eau Claire - UWRF's most points scored against UWEC in the series history.

IN THE RANKINGS

• UWRF dropped seven spots to No. 13 in this week's D3football.com Top 25 and nine spots to No. 17 in the AFCA Coaches' Poll.

FALCON NOTES

• Interim head coach Jake Wissing, in his 16th season at UWRF and first as head coach after five years as defensive coordinator, earned his first career victory in the Falcons' 73-7 season-opening win over Southern Virginia on Sept. 3.
• UWRF's defense has recorded 47 tackles for loss and 17 sacks through six games. Noah Nusbaum ranks second in the WIAC with nine tackles for loss and ranks fifth with 47 total tackles. Kody Curtis has added six tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks, while Jared Schultz ranks second in the conference with three interceptions. The Falcons rank second in the WIAC and 13th nationally in red zone defense (.562) and have limited opponents to 292.7 yards of total offense per game, including 80.8 rushing yards.
• UWRF has outgained opponents 2,040-1,756 in total offense through six games, holds a 125-90 advantage in first downs and has outscored opponents 192-124. The Falcons average 32.0 points and 340.0 yards of total offense per game, including 180.7 passing and 159.3 rushing yards. UWRF has scored 25 touchdowns, with 12 passing and 10 rushing.
• The Falcons' five blocked kicks lead the WIAC and are tied for the second-most in NCAA Division III. 
• Quarterback Cade Fitzgerald ranks second in the WIAC among rushing quarterbacks, averaging 47.8 rushing yards per game with four touchdowns on the ground. He also ranks sixth in the conference with 196.6 yards of total offense per game, accounting for 10 touchdowns and 983 yards through five games. UWRF has also received production from its other quarterbacks, as Peter McDevitt has thrown five touchdown passes in three games and Frank Daniels has added a passing touchdown.
• Senior wide receiver Austin Rush ranks among the WIAC's top 10 in receptions, receiving yards and touchdown catches. He leads UWRF with 30 receptions, 339 yards and five touchdowns. Rush and Ben Wesolowski have combined for 50 catches, 566 yards and eight touchdowns. Rush has also totaled 412 all-purpose yards, including a WIAC-best 11.0 yards per punt return.