RIVER FALLS, Wis. — The No. 15-ranked UW-River Falls football team rallied from a 17-point halftime deficit to defeat UW-Stout Polytechnic 35-30 on Saturday afternoon at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field, improving to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in WIAC play.
The comeback marked the second consecutive home meeting between the teams in which the Falcons rallied from a double-digit halftime deficit. In 2024, UWRF overcame a 27-6 halftime deficit to defeat the Blue Devils 40-37 in overtime.
UWRF opened the scoring with a 13-play, 82-yard drive in the first quarter, capped by a four-yard touchdown pass from Cade Fitzgerald to Ben Wesolowski. Stout answered with a 91-yard scoring drive to regain the lead, 10-7, before adding two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half to build a 24-7 advantage.
Both of Stout's late first-half touchdowns came on short fields following interceptions, with the Blue Devils converting passes from Chase Pemberton into scores of 20 and 40 yards. UWRF had an opportunity to cut into the deficit before halftime, but a 54-yard field goal attempt as time expired fell short.
The Falcons began their comeback in the third quarter, putting together a nine-play, 48-yard drive capped by a four-yard touchdown run from Trevor Asher at the 10:05 mark. UWRF's defense followed with a critical fourth-down stop, taking over possession after Stout came up short on fourth-and-two at the Falcon 36-yard line.
UWRF then put together a 14-play, 64-yard drive, with Asher finding the end zone again on a two-yard run with 1:25 remaining in the third quarter. The touchdown pulled the Falcons within 24-21 heading into the final quarter.
The comeback continued early in the fourth quarter as Asher capped a seven-play, 54-yard drive with a five-yard touchdown run at the 12:28 mark, giving UWRF its first lead since the opening quarter. The Falcons' defense immediately delivered another pivotal play, with Jared Schultz intercepting Pemberton and returning the ball 24 yards to the Stout 19-yard line. Two plays later, TJ Washtock Jr. scored on a seven-yard run to extend the lead to 35-24 with 11:38 remaining.
Stout added a touchdown with 51 seconds remaining, completing a 90-yard drive, but the Falcons secured possession following the ensuing onside-kick attempt and ran out the clock to preserve the 35-30 victory.
Asher led the Falcons' rushing attack with 90 yards on 29 carries and three touchdowns. Fitzgerald completed 18 of 31 passes for 198 yards and a touchdown, while Austin Rush led all UWRF receivers with eight catches for 97 yards.
Defensively, Schultz led UWRF with 10 total tackles and an interception, while Nolan Israelson added eight tackles. Braden Jones recorded the Falcons' other interception, and Noah Nusbaum recovered a fumble. UWRF finished with three takeaways, including two interceptions, and forced a turnover on downs at a critical point in the third quarter.
The Falcons totaled 338 yards of offense, including 140 rushing yards, and converted 11 of 19 third-down attempts. UWRF also controlled possession for 32:12, including 9:26 in the fourth quarter, helping the Falcons close out the comeback.
UWRF (6-2, 3-2 WIAC) returns to action next Saturday, Nov. 7 at UW-La Crosse.
