WHITEWATER, Wis. – The No. 2-ranked Falcons suffered their first loss of the season Saturday afternoon, falling 24-16 to No. 6 UW-Whitewater in the WIAC opener at Perkins Stadium.
Playing in front of 20,118 fans, the Falcons battled back from an early 14-2 deficit, taking a second-quarter lead, but the Warhawks held the Falcons scoreless in the second half to secure the eight-point victory. The loss moves UW-River Falls to 3-1 overall and 0-1 in WIAC play, while UW-Whitewater improves to 4-0 and 1-0 in the conference.
UW-Whitewater opened the scoring midway through the first quarter on a 69-yard touchdown run from Tommy Novotny. The Falcon defense came up with its first big play of the afternoon late in the quarter, forcing a Warhawk safety to cut the lead to 7-2. Novotny struck again early in the second quarter with a 65-yard touchdown run, extending Whitewater's advantage to 14-2.
The Falcons were able to respond immediately with Cade Fitzgerald connecting with Jaylen Johnson for a 53-yard gain, moving the Falcons deep into Warhawk territory before Ben Wesolowski found himself a 20-yard touchdown, cutting the lead to 14-9. Less than a minute later, the Falcon defense flipped the game when Beau Schrot intercepted Justin Klinkner at the five yard line, running it back for the Falcon touchdown. Johnny Figgins converted the extra point to give UWRF a 16-14 lead with 12:11 remaining in the first half.
Whitewater answered with a 45-yard Hunter Liszka field goal, regaining the 17-16 advantage with 8:27 left in the second quarter. UWRF had another opportunity late in the half after Taylor Sussner recorded the Falcons' second interception of the quarter. Fitzgerald connected with Austin Rush for a 40-yard gain to reach the Whitewater 18-yard line, but the drive concluded with an interception in the end zone.
The Warhawks eventually extended their lead early in the fourth quarter, as Novotny capped a five-play, 35-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to put Whitewater ahead 24-16 with 13:15 remaining. Novotny accounted for all three Whitewater touchdowns and finished with 192 rushing yards.
UWRF mounted a pair of lengthy fourth-quarter drives in an effort to tie the game. The Falcons drove from their own nine-yard line to the Whitewater 35 before turning the ball over on downs with 9:15 remaining. After the defense forced a turnover on downs against the Warhawks, UWRF received one final opportunity with 3:33 left.
Fitzgerald helped march the Falcons down the field, converting a fourth-and-nine with an 11-yard completion to Wesolowski to set up first-and-goal. UWRF reached the Whitewater four-yard line, but the Warhawk defense held on fourth down with 19 seconds remaining to seal the 24-16 final.
The Falcons outgained the Warhawks 289-228 and held Whitewater to just 38 passing yards. UWRF totaled 17 first downs compared to nine for Whitewater and possessed the ball for 31:26. Fitzgerald finished 20-of-49 passing for 229 yards and a touchdown, while Wesolowski led the receiving corps with seven catches for 87 yards and a score. Johnson totaled 59 receiving yards, while Rush added five receptions for 37 yards.
Defensively, Noah Nusbaum led the Falcons with 13 tackles and 1.5 tackles for loss, while Schrot totaled 11 tackles along with his pick-six. Jared Schultz added 10 tackles, and Klefstad recorded seven tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss and a sack. UWRF's defense finished with six tackles for loss and two interceptions
UW-River Falls returns home next Saturday, Oct. 10, hosting UW-Oshkosh for Homecoming at Ramer Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
