Nov. 16, 2009

Offense
Tight end Ryan Hansen (Sr., Grantsburg, Wis.) had another solid game for the Falcons in the team's 49-35 loss to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday at Ramer Field. Hansen, 6-3, 210 pounds, caught five passes for 55 yards with a long of 19 yards. “Ryan did a great job of blocking the Eau Claire outside linebackers and catching the ball,” said Falcon Coach John O'Grady. Hansen tied for the team lead with 34 catches this year. He had 414 reception yards and averaged 12.2 yards per catch. He also tied for the team lead with three touchdown catches.

Defense
Linebacker Cole Lowell (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) played well for the Falcons in the team's 49-35 loss to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday at Ramer Field. Lowell, 6-0, 210 pounds, had three solo and 10 total tackles in the game. He had one tackle for loss. Lowell led the 2009 Falcons with 41 solo and 83 total tackles. He had six tackles for loss, one interception, one fumble forced, one fumble recovered, two hurries and he broke up one pass.

Special Teams
Punter Dustin Samplawski (So., Stanley, Wis. Stanley-Boyd HS) had a great game for the Falcons in the team's 49-35 loss to UW-Eau Claire on Saturday at Ramer Field. Samplawski, 5-11, 210 pounds, punted five times and averaged 34.8 yards a kick. He had a long punt of 43 yards. “Dustin turned the ball over on every punt,” said Falcon Coach John O'Grady. Samplawski averaged 31.8 yards on 32 punts this year for the Falcons. He had seven downed inside the 20 and 13 were fair caught.

Nov. 9, 2009

Offense
Wide receiver Mike Woodward (So., Burnsville, Minn.) led the Falcons with seven receptions in the team’s 45-15 loss at UW-Stevens Point on Saturday. Woodward, 6-3, 180 pounds, finished with 51 receiving yards. He had a long reception of 13 yards. Five of his receptions went for a first down for the Falcons. This year he leads the Falcons with 30 catches for 410 yards and he has scored two touchdowns. He has a long reception of 48 yards and averages 13.7 yards per catch.


Special Teams
Snapper Kyle Stelter (Sr., Osceola, Wis.) had another great snapping the ball in the team’s 45-15 loss at UW-Stevens Point on Saturday. Stelter, 6-1, 200 pounds, has handled all of the snapping responsibilities for the Falcons this year. “Kyle has had a great year snapping the ball on punt, extra points and field goals,” said Falcon Coach John O’Grady. “He has also covered punts well.”

Nov. 2, 2009

Offense
Tight end Ryan Hansen (Sr., Grantsburg, Wis.) had the catch of the game in the team’s 31-28 overtime win over UW-Platteville on Saturday at Ramer Field. Hansen, 6-3, 210 pounds, caught a 9-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Ryan Luessenheide as time expired to help the Falcons to a 28-28 tie. Hansen made the catch as he was falling down in the back of the end zone. Hansen caught five passes in the game for 40 yards. He had a long reception of 13 yards. This year Hansen leads the team with 29 catches for 359 yards and three touchdowns. He averages 12.4 yards per catch.

Defense
Linebacker Cole Lowell (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) led a Falcon defensive charged that helped the team to a 31-28 overtime win over UW-Platteville on Saturday at Ramer Field. He finished the game with six solo and seven total tackles. He also had the team’s only interception. In the first quarter he picked off a UWP pass at the Falcon 30 and returned it 23 yards to the UWRF 47. Lowell made a great read on the play, stepping in front of the would-be receiver to pick the pass off. This year Lowell, 6-0, 210 pounds, leads the team with 64 total tackles. He has 35 solo stops. He has 4.5 tackles for loss, one interception, two hurries, one fumble forced, one fumble recovered and one pass break up.

Special Teams
Return man Greg Klingelhutz (So., Chanhassen, Minn. Holy Family HS) gave the Falcons a much needed spark in the team’s 31-28 overtime win over UW-Platteville on Saturday at Ramer Field. After UWP tied the game, 7-7, late in the first quarter, Klingelhutz returned the ensuing kick off 91 yards for a touchdown. He finished the game with three kick off returns for 136 yards. Klingelhutz, 5-9, 180 pounds, also returned one punt for eight yards. “Greg plays on the punt, punt return, kick off and kick off return units and does a great job in each one,” said Falcon Coach John O’Grady. The kick off return for the touchdown was the second of his UWRF career. This year he leads the team with 17 kick off returns and averages 25.1 yards per return. He also leads with eight punt returns and he averages 8.2 yards a return. Klingelhutz has also carried the ball 18 times for 83 yards and one touchdown and caught three passes for 16 yards.

Oct. 26, 2009

Offense
Fullback Joel Yogerst (So., Richfield, Wis. Slinger HS) had yet another solid game for the Falcons in the team's 38-14 loss at No. 2 ranked Whitewater on Saturday. Yogerst, 5-10, 215 pounds, "blocked very well again against Whitewater," said Falcon Coach John O'Grady. Yogerst caught two passes for 16 yards in the game. This year he has carried the ball nine times for 30 yards and caught five passes for 46 yards.

Defense
Safety Matt Ainsworth (So., Maple Grove, Minn. Osseo HS) played well in the secondary for the Falcons in the team's 38-14 loss at No. 2 ranked UW-Whitewater on Saturday. Ainsworth, 6-1, 185 pounds, was credited with two solo and six total tackles. He also had the game's only interception. On a third-and-five situation at the UWRF 42, Ainsworth intercepted a UWW pass at the Falcon 13 yard line to kill the Warhawk drive. This year Ainsworth has 31 solo and 44 total tackles. He is tied for the team lead with two interceptions and he has forced one fumble.

Special Teams
John Schimenz (Fr., Brown Deer, Wis.) had some great efforts for the Falcons with his play on kickoff and punt coverage and kickoff and punt return teams. Schimenz, 5-9, 205 pounds, was credited with two special team tackles in the team's 38-14 loss to No. 2 ranked UW-Whitewater on Saturday. "John had a couple of good blocks on the kickoff team and one great hit on the kickoff coverage unit. He always gives a great effort," said Falcon Coach John O'Grady.

Oct. 19, 2009

Offense
Fullback Joel Yogerst (So., Richfield, Wis. Slinger HS) had another solid game for the Falcons in the team's 49-47 three overtime loss to UW-La Crosse at Ramer Field on Saturday. Yogerst, 5-10, 215 pounds, carried the ball five times for 18 yards and had a long run of nine yards. "Joel had a great day of blocking for us also," said Falcon Coach John O'Grady. This year Yogerst has carried the ball 11 times for 46 yards and he averages 4.2 yards per carry. He has caught three passes for 30 yards.

Defense
Linebacker Cole Lowell (Sr., White Bear Lake, Minn.) was one of the team's defensive leaders in a 49-47 three overtime loss to UW-La Crosse on Saturday at Ramer Field. Lowell, 6-0, 210 pounds, was credited with seven solo and 11 total tackles. He had two tackles for loss (four yards) and he recovered one fumbled. The fumble recovery came with 2:53 to play in the first quarter at the UWL 42. Five plays later the Falcons scored a touchdown and lead, 10-0, at the time. This year Lowell leads the Falcons with 28 solo and 50 total tackles. He has 3.5 tackles for loss, one fumble recovered, one fumble forced, two quarterback hurries and one pass break up.

Special Teams
Kicker Chad Blair (Fr., Oakdale, Minn. Tartan HS) had a perfect day of kicking in the team's 49-47 three overtime loss to UW-La Crosse on Saturday at Ramer Field. Blair, 5-10, 150 pounds, hit all five extra points he attempted. He also kicked a 27-yard field goal with 3:28 to go in the first quarter that gave the Falcons a 3-0 lead at the time. This year he is second in scoring for the Falcons with 37 points. He has kicked 16-19 extra point and 7-9 field goals. His long field goal was 36 yards.

Oct. 12, 2009

Offense
Tight end Ryan Hansen (Sr., Grantsburg, Wis.) had another solid game for the Falcons in the team’s 31-29 loss at UW-Oshkosh on Saturday. Hansen, 6-3, 210 pounds, led the Falcons with seven catches for 77 yards. He had a long reception of 30 yards. Hansen caught a 19-yard touchdown pass in the third quarter and the score pulled the Falcons to within 21-16 at the time. This year Hansen is tied for the team lead with 18 catches. He has 244 receiving yards and scored one touchdown. He averages 13.6 yards per catch and has a long reception of 39 yards.

Defense
Safety Ben Arata (Sr., Menomonee Falls, Wis.) played well for the Falcons in the team’s 31-29 loss at UW-Oshkosh on Saturday. Arata, 5-11, 195 pounds, had four solo and five total tackles. He also broke up one pass. This year Arata is eighth on the team in tackles with 12 solo and 22 total stops. He leads the team with five pass break ups. He has blocked an extra point and has one tackle for loss. He has one interception that he returned 99-yards for a touchdown against Alma.

Special Teams
John Bratcher (Sr., Brooklyn Park, Minn. Roosevelt HS) was one of the team’s special team’s leaders in UWRF’s 31-29 loss at UW-Oshkosh on Saturday. “John put constant pressure on the Oshkosh punter with some relentless play,” said Falcon Coach John O’Grady. “He also did a great job of covering punts.” Bratcher, 6-0, 188 pounds, also plays wide receiver.

Oct. 5, 2009

Offense
Center Ross Wargula (Jr., Waupun, Wis.) was the leader in the team’s offensive line in UWRF’s 13-12 overtime loss at UW-Stout on Saturday. Wargula, 6-1, 292 pounds, helped the Falcon offense rush for 245 yards and score two touchdowns. The Falcons finished with 293 yards in total offense. The Falcon offensive line allowed just one sack in the game. Wargula has started every game for the Falcons at center this year.

Defense
Linebacker Ross Potter (Sr., Redwood Falls, Minn. Redwood Valley HS) had another strong game for the Falcons in the team’s 13-12 overtime loss at UW-Stout on Saturday. Potter, 6-0, 190 pounds, finished the game with four solo and eight total tackles. He was credited with a half tackle for loss yardage. Potter also intercepted a pass and broke up another. His interception came midway through the first quarter. On a third-and-seven play at the UWRF 42, he picked off the Stout pass at the UWRF 34. Five plays later the Falcons scored their first touchdown and led 6-0. Potter has started all four games for the Falcons and is third on the team in tackles. He has 11 solo and 25 total tackles. He leads the team with two interceptions and three quarterback hurries. He has also had three pass breakups and one tackle for loss.

Special Teams
Jake Erickson (Fr., Rio, Wis. Poynette HS) played a solid game for the Falcon punt and kick off coverage teams in UWRF’s 13-12 overtime loss at UW-Stout on Saturday. Erickson was credited with one solo tackle on the team’s kick off after the Falcons took a 6-0 lead in the first quarter. Erickson, 5-9, 215 pounds, has three solo tackles for the Falcons this year.

Sept. 28, 2009

Offense
Running back Taylor Edwards (So., Janesville, Wis. Park HS) had his best game for the Falcons in the team's 40-27 win over Alma College on Saturday at Ramer Field. Edwards, 6-1, 190 pounds, carried the ball 30 times for 246 yards and two touchdowns. He scored the team's first touchdown on a three-yard run in the first quarter and that tied the game 7-7. Midway through the second quarter he scored on a five-yard run to give the Falcons a 21-14 lead at the time. The Falcons did not trail after that. He had a long run of 43 yards and he averaged 8.2 yards per carry. He leads the Falcons in rushing with 329 yards. He averages 7.5 yards per carry and has scored twice.

Defense
Cornerback Matt Guertin (So., Mounds View, Minn. Irondale HS) tied for the team lead with 13 tackles in the team's 40-27 win over Alma College on Saturday at Ramer Field. Guertin, 5-10, 180 pounds, had 10 solo and three assisted tackles. He also had an interception and broke up two passes. With the Falcons leading, 24-14 in the third quarter, he intercepted an Alma pass that give the Falcons a first down at the Scot 25. Four plays later the Falcons kicked a 28-yard field goal to go ahead, 27-14. This year Guertin leads the Falcons in tackles with 19 solo and 26 total stops. He also leads the team with four pass break ups and has one interception.

Special Teams
Joel Yogerst (So., Richfield, Wis. Slinger HS) had a solid game for the Falcon punt and kick-off coverage teams. Yogerst, 5-10, 215 pounds, had two solo tackles on special teams. "One of his tackles came after he lost his helmet," said Falcon Coach, John O'Grady. Yogerst has three special teams tackles this year. He is also the starting fullback for the Falcon offense. He has rushed for 12 yards and caught two passes for 26 yards.

Sept. 21, 2009

Offense
Running back Ahmad Palmer (Jr., New Hope, Minn.) was the game’s top rusher in the team’s 20-17 win at Northwestern on Saturday. Palmer, 6-1, 210 pounds, carried the ball 18 ties for 114 yards. He averaged 6.3 yards per carry and had a long run of 25 yards. He was not thrown for a loss in the game. Palmer is the team’s top rusher this year. He has rushed for 152 yards and averages 5.1 yards per carry. He has scored one touchdown.

Defense
Cornerback Matt Gajewski (So., Green Bay, Wis. East HS) had a strong game in the team’s 20-17 win at Northwestern on Saturday. Gajewski, 5-10, 180 pounds, covered Northwestern’s top receiver all game and he caught only three passes for 30 yards. Gajewski was credited with two assisted tackles and he also broke up two passes. This year Gajewski has four tackles and leads the team with three pass break ups.

Special Teams
Kicker Chad Blair (Fr., Oakdale, Minn. Tartan HS) had a perfect day kicking the ball in the team’s 20-17 win at Northwestern on Saturday. Blair, 5-10, 150 pounds, made both extra points and was also good on both of the field goals he attempted. He kicked a 20-yard field goal with 8:09 to go in the third quarter that gave the Falcons a 17-3 lead at the time. With 6:30 to play in the game, he kicked a 36-yard field goal that proved to be the difference in the contest. Blair leads the team with 14 points and has made all five extra point attempts and 3-4 field goals this year.

Sept. 7, 2009

Offense
Tight end Ryan Hansen (Sr., Grantsburg, Wis.) played a key offensive role for the Falcons in the team's 28-24 loss to St. John's at Ramer Field on Saturday. Hansen, 6-3, 210 pounds, led the Falcons with five receptions. He was credited with 61 receiving yards with a long reception of 15 yards. Hansen has come back from a season-ending injury in 2008 and showed his pass catching and blocking abilities against St. John's. After two passes intended for Hansen fell incomplete, the next five passes that came his way were complete. Four of the catches went for first downs. The other reception would have gone for a first down, but a penalty on the play prevented the new set of downs.

Defense
End Derek Nette (Sr., Sheldon, Wis. Flambeau HS) was one of the team's defensive leaders in the team's 28-24 loss to St. John's on Saturday at Ramer Field. Nette, 6-2, 215 pounds, finished with three solo and six total tackles. He had 1.5 sacks for a loss of 19-yards. Both of his sacks came in the same series in the third quarter. First he teamed with Mike Larson for a nine-yard sack. Later he registered a solo sack of 14 yards on a third-and-10 play at the UWRF 34. That killed a St. John's drive and forced the Johnnies to punt the ball away.

Special Teams
Drake Klatt (Fr., Cambria, Wis. Cambria-Friesland HS) had a great first collegiate game for the Falcons in the team's 28-24 loss to St. John's on Saturday at Ramer Field. Klatt, 6-1, 190 pounds, handled the Falcon punting and kick off duties. He punted twice and averaged 40-yards per kick. He had a long of 46 yards. Klatt also kicked off five times and averaged 63 yards per kick.