The defending NCAA Division III national champion UW-River Falls football team begins its title defense on Thursday, Sept. 3, opening the 2026 season under the lights at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field against Southern Virginia University.
The No. 7-ranked Falcons return to the field following the most successful season in program history, having captured their first national championship with a 14-1 record in 2025, as interim head coach
Jake Wissing begins a new chapter at the helm of a program.
UW-RIVER FALLS (0-0, 0-0 WIAC) VS. SOUTHERN VIRGINIA (0-0, 0-0 USA SOUTH)
Date:Â Thursday, Sept. 3
Time:Â 6 p.m.
Site: River Falls, Wis. // Smith Stadium at Ramer Field
Live Stream:Â
WIAC Network
Radio: 95.7 FM St. Croix Country WSCM | Audio stream onÂ
WSCMÂ or Civic Media App
GAMEDAYÂ INFORMATION
- Online Ticketing
- Admission to all UWRF Football home events for the 2026 season will be sold exclusively online.
- 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
MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS GAME
- Thursday's game will be in partnership with the W.I.N.G.S. Foundation in support of mental health awareness. The W.I.N.G.S. Foundation, co-founded by UWRF assistant coach Craig Miles and his wife Cathy, was established to help students, families and communities in need while emphasizing kindness and a pay-it-forward attitude.
AGAINST THE KNIGHTS
- Thursday's game will be the first ever meeting between UW-River Falls and Southern Virginia.
FALCON NOTES
- UWRF is coming off the most successful season in program history, finishing 14-1 and capturing its first NCAA Division III football national championship.
- The Falcons enter the 2026 season ranked No. 7 in both the D3football.com and AFCA Preseason Top 25 polls.
- UWRF is 21-2 at Ramer Field over the past four seasons and has not lost at home since 2023.
- Thursday marks the head-coaching debut of Jake Wissing, who enters his 16th season with the program after serving as defensive coordinator the past five seasons. Wissing played a key role in one of the most successful eras in program history, including last season's national championship run.
- UWRF returns two All-Region selections and six All-WIAC honorees from last season, including Taylor Sussner and Andre Hall, who were named to the 2026 D3football.com Preseason All-America Team.
- Sussner was the 2025 WIAC Newcomer of the Year and D3FB Huddle Newcomer of the Year.
- Kody Curtis returns to anchor the defensive line after earning All-Region and All-WIAC First Team honors in 2025.
- Trevor Asher leads the returning ground attack after ranking fifth in the WIAC with nine rushing touchdowns last season.
- Ben Wesolowski, Austin Rush and Stephen Reifenberger return to lead the receiving corps after combining for 16 receiving touchdowns in 2025.
