Falcons Close Season with 49-35 Loss to Eau Claire

Nov. 14, 2009 

The Falcon football team dropped the season finale to UW-Eau Claire 49-35 at Ramer Field Saturday afternoon. RF held a 14 point lead in the second quarter, however the Blugolds rattled off 35 unanswered points to pull away for the win.

The Falcons scored a touchdown on the fourth play of the game to take an early lead. Quarterback Ryan Luessenheide scrambled up the middle for 32 yards, weaving through Blugold defenders, and scored with 13:05 remaining in the first quarter.

EC answered with a six-play, 65-yard drive on the next possession. Cory Sartorelli capped the drive with a rush up the middle for 30 yards and the touchdown to tie the game at 7-7 with 10:39 remaining in the first quarter.

On the next possession RF went 75 yards on eight plays for another touchdown. Luessenheide finished the drive with a two-yard quarterback sneak for his second rushing touchdown of the game to put the Falcons on top 14-7.

The offense kept coming in this one as EC answered again with a quick four-play drive covering 51 yards for a score. Kyle Paulson found Brett Schreiner for 17 yards and a touchdown to tie the game 14-14 with 5:27 remaining in the first quarter.

Without missing a beat the Falcons came out firing. Eric Brewster caught a 24-yard strike for the big play in an eight-play, 62-yard drive finished with a Greg Klingelhutz run over left tackle for a seven-yard rushing touchdown.

The first quarter came to an end with the Falcons leading 21-14. RF was 3-3 on third down conversions in the first quarter and nearly doubled the EC time of possession.

The second quarter began with the first punts of the game as each team’s defense picked up a stop. After the Falcons stopped the Blugolds for a second consecutive time, Luessenheide opened the Falcon drive with a deep pass to Brewster for a 58-yard reception to the EC one-yard line. Taylor Edwards banged up the middle to pay dirt and gave the Falcons a 28-14 lead with 9:08 remaining in the first half.

The lead would not last the second quarter, however, as the Blugolds scored three touchdowns in the final 9:08 of the half to take a 35-28 lead into the break. Sartorelli ran three yards up the middle for a touchdown with 5:26 remaining. With 2:04 left in the half Kyle Paulson ran around the right end after an excellent play fake for a 21-yard touchdown. And finally, with just 18 seconds before halftime, a Paulson to Mike O’Connell pass connection for two yards gave EC their first lead of the game.

B.J. Letourneau took over at quarterback for the Falcons in the second half, but the offense could not find its rhythm. The Falcons stalled on all three of their third quarter possessions.

EC added to the lead with 4:24 remaining in the third quarter when Paulson hooked up with David Goodman for a 49-yard touchdown strike to make the score 42-28.

The Blugolds added another touchdown early in the fourth quarter to make it 35 unanswered points. Paulson scored on a nine yard run with 11:24 remaining in the game to close out the scoring for EC.

Luessenheide returned to quarterback for the Falcons in the fourth quarter and led a 10-play, 85 yard scoring drive. Luessenheide connected with Brewster again, this time for 19 yards and a touchdown, with 2:03 remaining in the game to trim the EC lead to 49-35.

After a failed onside kick attempt, the Falcon defense held EC and got the ball back with 1:54 remaining. RF could not find the end zone, however, and the Falcons fell to EC for the first time since 2006.

EC finished the game with 229 rushing yards and 345 yards passing for 575 yards of total offense. RF finished with 494 yards of total offense on 198 rushing yards and 296 yards passing. Each team had 27 first downs in the game and total time of possession was only separated by 33 seconds.

Blugold running back Cory Sartorelli led all rushers in the game with 163 yards and two touchdowns. EC quarterback Kyle Paulson finished the game 26-35 passing for 345 yards and three touchdowns.

Falcon running back Taylor Edwards’ 84 yards on 18 carries against EC pushed his season total to 1,076 yards. Edwards also scored a touchdown in the game, his ninth touchdown of the season. He is the first Falcon to top 1,000 yards since Nathan Anderson rushed for 1,468 yards in 2007.

Quarterback Ryan Luessenheide completed 17-35 passes for 283 yards, one touchdown, and one interception. He also scored a pair of touchdowns on the ground totaling 52 yards rushing in the game.

Eric Brewster led the Falcons with 117 yards receiving and a touchdown on five receptions. Michael Woodward added 76 yards on four receptions.

Falcons Ross Potter and Cole Lowell led the defense with ten tackles each in the game. Ben Arata had eight solo tackles and nine total tackles in the game as well.

The Falcons close the season with a record of 3-7 overall, 1-6 WIAC.

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Falcons Lose, 45-15, at Stevens Point

Nov. 7, 2009 

The Falcon football team could not keep up with UW-Stevens Point on Saturday afternoon at Community Stadium. UWSP scored the first 31 points of the game and finished with a 45-15 win over the Falcons.

The opening drive of the game ended for the Falcons when Pointer Kody Morgan intercepted a Ryan Luessenheide pass. The Pointers would capitalize with a field goal on their first possession to take the early lead. Each team traded punts through a tight first quarter of play.

The Falcons opened the second quarter with a 13 play, 58 yard drive. A 40-yard Chad Blair field goal attempt sailed wide right for RF to keep them off the scoreboard.

The Pointers followed with three touchdowns in the second quarter to open up a commanding lead at halftime. Anthony Aker hauled in a 31-yard pass from Pointer quarterback Jared Beckwith with 7:21 remaining in the second quarter, Kody Morgan returned a punt 25 yards for a touchdown with 6:04 left in the second quarter, and Jake Swank scored on an 80-yard pass play from Beckwith to close out the first half.

The second half began in a similar fashion for the Falcons. UWSP took only three plays to travel 74 yards for the touchdown to extend the lead to 31-0. Garrett Medenwald scored on a 39-yard run for the Pointers with 13:57 left in the third quarter.

RF responded in the third quarter with a six play, 65 yard touchdown drive with 4:30 remaining to make the score 38-7. B.J. Letourneau completed four passes for the Falcons on the drive including a 25-yard strike to Eric Brewster for the touchdown.

UWSP scored a touchdown on its opening drive of the fourth quarter to extend the lead to 45-7. Medenwald found the end zone from 4-yards out to cap off a 13 play, 52 yard drive.

Luessenheide scored on a 1-yard run on the next RF possession and Ahmad Palmer rushed in the two point conversion to complete the game scoring.

The Pointers compiled 472 yards of total offense in the game including 279 passing and 193 rushing.

Taylor Edwards led the Falcons in rushing with 39 yards on 17 carries. Letourneau finished the day 11-21 passing for 116 yards and a touchdown. Luessenheide was 8-11 passing for 57 yards and one interception. Wade Schlichting paced the receivers with 63 yards on five receptions. Michael Woodward caught seven balls for 51 yards and Brewster added 42 yards on three catches and a touchdown.

Cole Lowell and Matt Gajewski led the Falcons defense with nine tackles each. Matt Guertin and Justin Eloranta also added seven tackles each. Dan Wolf had five tackles and a sack in the game.

The loss drops the Falcons records to 3-6 overall and 1-5 in the WIAC. The Falcons take the field next Saturday for the final game of the season when they host UW-Eau Claire at 1 p.m. at Ramer Field.

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Falcons Shock Pioneers with Late Drive, Overtime Field Goal

Oct. 31, 2009 

Trailing 28-21 with just 1:25 remaining and 95-yards in front of them, the Falcons did the improbable.  Quarterback Ryan Luessenheide took the Falcons on a 95-yard drive with just 1:25 remaining to tie the game on the last play of regulation.

In overtime, Chad Blair connected on a 30-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 31-28 win.  It was the games fourth lead change. The Pioneers were unable to move the ball and were forced to attempt a 47-yard field goal.  The ball fell short and the Falcons were able to preserve a 31-28 victory.

It is the Falcons first WIAC win of 2009.  They improve to 3-5 on the year and 1-4 in conference play.  Platteville falls to 3-5 and 1-4 in the WIAC. 

River Falls was able to get on the board first in this game when Ahmad Palmer found the end zone from four-yards out. Michael Woodward and Eric Brewster each had receptions to keep the drive alive. Blair’s extra point was good, giving the Falcons an early 7-0 lead.

The teams then traded interceptions on back-to-back plays. 

Freshmen quarterback John Kelly made his first start as a Pioneer today and took his team down to answer Palmer’s touchdown. Shaking off the interception, Kelly hit Jimmy Spehn in the back of the end zone following a pump-fake that froze three different Falcons. Tony Smidl was good on the extra point and tied the game at seven.

On the ensuing kick-off, Greg Klingelhutz took it 91-yards to the house. It is Klingelhutz’s second career kick-off return for a touchdown in his young career.  His first came last year against Stevens Point.  The return gave the Falcons a 14-7 lead.

The Pioneers drove down to the RF one-yard line and gave the ball for the first time to Patrick O’Brien.  O’Brien’s second effort on the run got the ball across the goal line to tie the game at 14. 

The teams went almost 23 minutes before any more points were put on the board.  Late in the third quarter, Kelly connected on his second touchdown toss of the day.  Jake Wierderholt caught a two-yard jump pass from Kelly behind the Falcon defense.  The touchdown catch gave the Pioneers their first lead of the game at 21-14.

Faced with third-and-goal from the UWP 14, Klingelhutz took the draw play and slipped two tackles before crossing the goal line.  The run tied the game at 21, just with 9:40 remaining.

Five minutes later, O’Brien scored his second touchdown of the day, again from one-yard out.  The Pioneers went 80 yards in 11 plays and chewed up over five minutes off the game clock.  The score gave the Pioneers a 28-21 lead. 

After trading possessions, the Falcons were faced with what seemed like an impossible situation.  They took over at their own five-yard line with just 1:25 left.  On the first play, Luessenheide picked up four yards, but a late hit out-of-bounds gave the Falcons an extra 15-yards.  Brewster caught a pass for 14-yards on the next play.  After three straight incompletions, Luessenheide ran for 10-yards on fourth down.  The chains were called out to measure but Luessenheide got just enough to keep the drive alive. 

Woodward made a 15-yard catch on the next play to put the Falcons at the UWP 36.  Two Luessenheide runs later put the Falcons at the UWP 23 with another first down.  With nine seconds to go, Luessenheide hit Woodward for 14 yards down to the UWP 9.  The Falcons were forced to spike the ball and were left with just 1.5 seconds. 

On the final play of regulation, Ryan Hansen caught a ball from Luessenheide while on the turf in the end zone.  The catch sent Ramer Field into a frenzy and the Falcons now needed to convert the extra-point.  Blair did not kick the best ball, but it went through to tie the game at 28.

River Falls got the ball first in overtime and grinded to a halt at the UWP 13.  Blair knocked home a 30-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 31-28 lead. 

Two incompletions and failed reverse attempt for the Pioneers forced them into a fourth-and-15.  Smidl was brought out to attempt a 47-yard field goal, but it landed well short giving the Falcons a 31-28 win. 

Luessenheide finished the day 13 of 29 for 146 yards and one score.  He also had two interceptions.

Taylor Edwards was the Falcons leading rusher with 104 yards on 24 carries.

Matt Ainsworth lead River Falls with 12 tackles.  Cole Lowell had the Falcon interception.

Kelly threw the ball 48 times completing 30 for 244 yards.  He had two touchdowns and an interception.

Chad Roscoe carried the ball 24 times for 80 yards to lead Platteville in rushing.

Dave Daino had 11 tackles for the Pioneers.  Quincy Hudson and Ross Mueller were the ones to intercept Luessenheide. 

The Falcons will travel to UW-Stevens Point next weekend to take on the Pointers.  Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.

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Falcons Get Thumped By Warhawks, 38-17

Oct. 24, 2009 

River Falls traveled to Whitewater to take on the No. 2 team in the country.  The Warhawks were ranked the nations second-best team in the D3Football.com Poll. It was all Whitewater in this one as they thumped the Falcons 38-14. 

In the games first 24 minutes the teams battled to a 0-0 tie. Safety Matt Ainsworth was able to end the first Warhawk drive when he stepped in front of a Jeff Donovan pass deep inside Falcon territory.  

On the second Falcon possession, they were given new life after a roughing the punter penalty, but were unable to capitalize.  Ryan Luesseheide was sacked on the ensuing play for a nine-yard loss.  After two minimal gain running plays, the Falcons were forced to punt.

In the last seven minutes of first half Whitewater put up 21 points.  The first score came when sophomore running back Levell Coppage took the hand-off and ran four-yards to the end zone. Coppage came into the game leading the WIAC in rushing. Donovan had two long pass plays on the drive of over 24-yards setting up Coppage’s 15th rushing touchdown.

Whitewater would go right down the field on their next drive to put up the second score of the game.  Coppage would score again, his 16th of the year, from five-yards away to extend the Warhawk lead. 

River Falls regained possession with just 1:33 remaining, but a quick three-and-out forced them to punt it back to the Warhawks. The Falcon drive took just 17 seconds off the clock.  Whitewater took over at their own 40.  After a few completions and pair of timeouts the Warhawks had third-and-ten from the RF 36, with :15 left.  Donovan found Jordan Wells open for a score with just seven seconds left of the clock.  The halftime score was WW 21, RF 0. 

Whitewater scored on their fourth play of the second half.  Donovan hit on pass plays of 15 and 24-yards to open the half.  Following a Coppage run, Donovan hit Wells again for a touchdown.

Once again, the Falcons went three-and-out.  Coppage picked up nine-yards on the first play.  Whitewater went back to the air, and Donovan found Aaron Rusch for 48-yards and a touchdown. Whitewater took a commanding 35-0 lead.  All 35  Warhawk points coming in just less than 11 minutes of game-time.

Whitewater would add a field-goal before the end of the quarter.

In the fourth quarter, the Falcons were faced with fourth down inside Warhawk territory and elected to go for it.  Luessenheide picked up the first down on a quarterback sneak. On the next play, Luessenhiede hit senior tight end Ryan Hansen in the back of the end zone.  After the officials conferred it was ruled a touchdown, giving the Falcons their first points of the afternoon. 

The Falcons would tack on a late touchdown when Ahmad Palmer scored on fourth-and-one from the one.  It was the first rushing touchdown given up by the Warhawk defense all season. 

Donovan finished the day  19-27 for 353 yards and three touchdowns. Coppage ended with 75 yards rushing and two scores.

Luessenheide threw the ball 15 times, he completed eight for 76 yards.  Luessenheide also had a touchdown to Hansen.

Taylor Edwards came into the day as the conference’s number two rusher, behind Coppage.  He ended the day with 84 yards on 27 carries.  Palmer scored the lone Falcon rushing touchdown.

Whitewater improves to 7-0 and 4-0 in the WIAC.  They will travel to Stevens Point on Saturday.

The Falcons fall to 2-5 overall and 0-4 in WIAC play.  They will host the Platteville Pioneers on Halloween, Saturday afternoon, Oct. 31st.  Kick-off at Ramer Field is set for 3 p.m.

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Tipped Pass Ends Falcons Upset Bid in Triple Overtime

Oct. 17, 2009 

The Falcons and the La Crosse Eagles battled in one of the best games played at Ramer Field in a long time. The teams battled to a 27-27 tie at the end of regulation. It took three overtimes to decide a winner. Travis Brodeau caught a deflected pass in the corner of the end zone in the third overtime to secure a 49-47 La Crosse victory at Ramer Field.  It was the third conference loss for the Falcons by a total of five points.

The Falcons got on the board first in this game when Chad Blair connected from 24 yards out.  The drive took 4:29 off the clock and went 44 yards in 11 plays.

On the ensuing Eagle drive, Alex Maxinoski fumbled, and the ball was picked up by the Falcon’s Cole Lowell.  The fumble set the Falcons up inside UWL territory at the 42-yard line. Ryan Luessheide scored the games first touchdown when he took off on a quarterback draw for 12-yards, before diving into the end zone.  Blair booted home the extra point and the Falcons took an early 10-0 at the end of the first quarter.

The Eagles scored on their first drive of the second quarter. The Eagles used a steady dose of Lee Lauters to take the ball 73 yards in just eight plays.  Quarterback Nick Anker hit his first big pass play of the day on the drive as well, finding Dan Sellers for 22-yards.  The touchdown came on a run by Lauters from two-yards away. Dylan Rude hit the point after and UWL cut the Falcons lead to 10-7.

River Falls was forced to punt on their next, but Bordeau was able to get into the backfield to block the punt.  Bordeau raced to the 40-yard line where the ball was laying, scooped it up and ran into the end zone.  The extra point was wide right and the Eagles took their first lead 13-10.

Luessheide opened the ensuing drive with an 11-yard completion to Eric Brewster.  A few plays later, Taylor Edwards took off for 20 yards, one of his few long runs of the day. Facing third down and one from the UWL 3, Edwards found the end zone.  Blair booted the extra point and the Falcons would take a 17-13 lead into halftime.

The Falcons opened the half with a three-and-out. UWL then drove deep into RF territory before turning it over on downs. That was followed by another RF three-and-out.  Once again, the Falcon defense bent but didn’t break, stopping the Eagles on downs at the RF 6.

After yet another Falcon three-and-out they were forced to bring out the punting team again, this time in the shadow of their own end zone.  Freshmen punter Dustin Samplawski dropped the snap and the Eagle’s John Rozek was on the receiving end of a gift from the football gods.  Rozek picked up the ball and walked two-yards into the end zone.  Rude was good on the extra point and the Eagles regained the lead, 20-17.

For the second time in the game the Falcons were able to answer when the Eagles took the lead. The big play on the drive came when Luessenheide broke free on a quarterback sneak for 30-yards. Following a pass interference call on the Eagles, Edwards scored for the second time. This one from two-yards away and the Falcons took back the lead 24-20.

The teams then traded a pair of punts before the Eagles took back the lead.  Anker found Makinoski for 50-yards and set up the Eagles deep inside RF territory. Tyler O’Kane, who came in for the injured Lee Lauters, took a screen pass from Anker and scampered 12-yards to goal line.  That was the games sixth lead change as the Eagles went up 27-24.

River Falls failed to move the ball on their next drive going three-and-out for the fifth time of the half. They were forced to punt the ball to the Eagles with just over seven minutes remaining.  The Falcon defense came up with a stop and was able to get the back for the offense with 5:08 to go. 

The Falcons were able to take the ball to the UWL 27-yard line before being forced into a fourth down.  Instead of going for it, Coach John O’Grady sent freshmen Drake Klatt out to attempt a 45-yard field goal for the tie with 1:29 to go.  Klatt’s kick was boomed through the uprights to tie the game at 27.

The Eagles won the toss in overtime and elected to go on defense first. Facing third-and-six from the UWL 21-yard line, Luessheide threw what appeared to be a jump ball to Brewster in the left corner of the end zone.  With the defense draped all over him, Brewster made a spectacular one-handed catch while falling to the turf. Blair remained perfect on extra points and the Falcons lead 34-27.

It took the Eagles one play to score their first overtime touchdown.  Anker found Bordeau open down the right sideline for the score.  Rude tied the game at 34, sending it to a second overtime.

Bordeau and Anker hooked up for a four-yard score to start the second overtime, following a horse collar penalty on RF, to take a 41-34 lead. 

River Falls drove down to the UWL 5-yard line before getting pushed back 15-yards thanks to an offensive pass interference call.  The Falcons were faced with third-and-goal from the 20.  Luessheide found Michael Woodward open at the five-yard line.  It appeared Woodward was going to be stopped short of the goal line, but he was able to fight off a couple tackles to stay on his feet and dive into the end zone.  Following Blair’s point after the game was tied at 41 and headed to a third overtime.

The Falcons began the third overtime with the ball.  On second-and-nine, Luessehiede hit Brewster for a 19-yard pick-up, putting the Falcons at the UWL 5.  Two plays later, Edwards jumped over the pile for his third touchdown.  As the rules in college football read, you must go for two after the second overtime.  The Falcons gave it to Edwards who was hit and driven back for a loss. 

La Crosse converted on fourth-and-one with a quarterback sneak to keep their drive alive in the third overtime.  Four plays later they had the ball third-and-goal at the RF 5.  Anker hit Maxinoski on the left side of the end zone for the game-tying score.  UWL was forced to go for two to steal away the win at Ramer Field.  Anker’s pass to Maxinoski was deflected into the air by Maxinoski, Bordeau caught the tipped pass for the game-winning score.  The final was 49-47 UWL.

Edwards carried the ball 44 times for 142 yards and three touchdowns.  Luessenheide also had a good day on the ground, eight carries for 97 yards and a score.  In the air, Luessheide was 13-32 with two touchdowns and one interception.

Ryan Hansen caught five balls for 47 yards.  Brewster had four catches for 57, including a one-handed touchdown grab in overtime.

Safety Matt Ainsworth led the Falcons with 13 tackles.  Defensive tackle Justin Parsons had the teams only sack.

Anker threw the ball 38 times, completing 24 for 248 yards and four touchdowns. Lauters carried the ball 19 times for 86 yards before he left the game with a hamstring injury. O’Kane had 10 carries for 35 yards, he also had a touchdown catch.

Bordeau had six catches for 67 yards and two scores.  Bordeau also scored on a blocked punt. 

Aaron Larson was the UWL team leader in tackles with 15. 

The Falcons fall to 0-3 in WIAC play and it doesn’t get any easier next week when the travel to Whitewater to take on the nations No. 2 team.  Kick-off  is at 12 p.m.

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Falcon Lose Second Straight Close Game, 31-29

Oct. 10, 2009 

For the second straight week the Falcon football team lost a close game on the road, this time a 31-29 decision at UW-Oshkosh.

Last week the Falcons lost, 13-12, in overtime at UW-Stout.

The Falcons got off to a great start. The defense limited the Titan offense to a three-and-out on the first procession and the offense scored.

The Falcons scored in 10 plays with the drive consisting of seven runs and three passes. Taylor Edwards picked up all of the rushing yards, 35, including the last nine that put the Falcons in the end zone. Quarterback Ryan Luessenheide was a perfect 3-3 on the drive for 25 yards. Chad Blair kicked the extra point and the Falcons led, 7-0, with 8:55 to go in the first quarter. The Falcons drove 60 yards in 10 plays and took 4:08.

But the Titans responded after the Falcons took the early lead to tie the game. The scoring play feature quarterback Nate Wara hitting Craig McClelland with a four-yard touchdown pass off play action. Andy Lindsay added the extra point to tie the game with 4:08 to play in the initial quarter. The drive covered 74 yards in 13 plays and took 4:47 off the clock. Wara was 8-9 passing in the drive for 37 yards.

The two teams' defense then took control until a broken play led to the Titans taking a 14-7 lead in the second quarter. On a third-and-18 play at the UWO 34, Matt Haass caught a pass from quarterback Tyler Wegner, but fumbled at the UWRF 45. Teammate Jamie Braasch scooped up the loose ball and rambled the remaining 45 yard for a touchdown. Lindsay kicked the extra point to make it a 14-7 game with about 3:56 to play in the half. The Titans drove 87 yards in seven plays and took 2:46 off the clock.

The Falcons put together a solid offensive drive late in the half. They took control at their 30 yard line with 3:56 to go in the half. Luessenheide completed two passes to Hansen and one to Michael Woodward and Eric Brewster. A pass interference penalty on UWO gave the Falcons a first down at the UWO 12. The Falcons moved the ball to the eight before the drive stalled. Chad Blair came in and kicked a 27-yard field goal with 42 seconds to go to make it a 14-10 game at the half.

The half ended with UWRF's Matt Ainsworth intercepting a Titan pass in the Falcon end zone.

The Falcons took the second half kickoff, but a Luessenheide pass was intercepted by UWO's Nate Heard giving his team a first down at midfield. Seven plays later the Titans were in the end zone when Wara went up the middle from four yards out to score. The Titans led, 21-10, with 11:24 to play in the third quarter. The drive took 2:13 off the clock.

The Falcons responded immediately with a touchdown drive that cover 68 yards in 10 plays and took 5:10 off the clock. UWRF picked up 34 of the yards by rushing. But the big play was a 19-yard touchdown pass from Luessenheide to Hansen. The Falcons went for two points, but the pass failed and the Falcons trailed, 21-16.

UWO came back with a score of its own on the next possession. The Titans took a 28-16 lead when Charlie Weismann scored on a seven-yard run with 4:11 to play in the third quarter. The big play in the drive was a 36-yard scramble by Wara that gave UWO a first down at the UWRF 12.

The Falcons got the ball back but another UWO interception, this one by James Taraboi, gave the Titans a first down at the UWRF 49. The Titan offense moved down the field, but the Falcon defense stiffened and held UWO out of the end zone. Lindsay kicked a 22-yard field goal to put the Titans ahead, 31-16, with 13:37 to play in the game.

The Falcons then drove deep into UWO territory, but another Titan interception stopped the drive. Frank Martin picked the ball off giving his team the ball at the UWO two yard line. Luessenheide hit Hansen with a 30-yard completion to give UWRF a first down at the Titan 25 earlier in the drive.

But the Falcon defense held and turned the ball back over to the offense on a three-and-out series.

The Falcons got the ball at their own 47 and quickly went on a scoring drive. Luessenheide hit Woodward with 19 and 12-yard completions and Ahmad Palmer carried the ball three times for 18 yards. On a second-and-goal from the UWO four, Luessenheide scored to finish the six play, 53-yard drive. The extra point was blocked and the Falcons trailed, 31-22, with 8:02 to play.

Once again the Falcon defense forced a Titan punt and the offense took over at its 20 with 4:44 to play. After the Falcons converted a fourth-and-one at their own 29, UWRF came up with a huge play. Luessenheide hit Brewster for a 54-yard pass completion that gave the Falcons a first down at the UWO 15. After an incompletion, Luessenheide hit Woodward with a 15-yard completion for the score with 3:32 to play. The drive covered 80 yards in just eight plays and took 1:12 off the clock. After Blair kicked the extra point the Falcons trailed, 31-29.

After the kickoff the Titans were able to run off the remaining time on the clock to secure the win.

Luessenheide finished 19-38 passing for 250 yards and two touchdowns. He was intercepted three times. Brewster had his best game for the Falcons with five catches for 98 yards. Hansen had seven catches for 77 yards and one score and Woodward had five catches for 62 yards and one touchdown.

Edwards led the Falcons with 94 rushing yards and one touchdown.

The Falcons finished with 404 yards of total offense (154 rush, 250 pass) while the Titans had 420 (246 rush, 174 pass).

Wara was 12-18 passing for 67 yards and one score. Jeremy Roach led all rushers with 19 carries for 137 yards. Wara added 64 rushing yards. Garrie Fox led UWO with five catches for 25 yards.

Ross Potter led the Falcon defense with nine tackles. Potter and Mike Larson, who had six tackles, combined for the only tackle for loss for UWRF. Brady Luebke and Matt Gajewski each had seven tackles. Gajewski and Ben Arata, who had five tackles, each had pass break ups. The Falcons had one turnover, the Ainsworth interception.

UWO's James Taraboi, who led the WIAC in tackles going into the game, led the Titans with 14 stops. Jack Breese had eight. The Titans had three turnovers, all interceptions, by Taraboi, Heard and Martin.

The Falcons, now 2-3 overall and 0-2 in the WIAC, will host UW-La Crosse on Saturday at Ramer Field in the annual Hall of Fame game. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

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Edwards Big Day Not Enough, Falcons Fall in OT

Oct. 3 , 2009 

The Falcon football team traveled down Interstate 94 to Menomonie, Saturday, to take on UW-Stout in the ninety-fifth edition of the 94-War.  Cold, wet and windy conditions coupled with a failed 2-point conversion attempt in OT resulted in the Falcons falling short in a 13-12 loss to the Blue Devils.

After both teams were forced to punt their first possession, Stout took their second drive into Falcon territory before the Falcon defense would come up big.  Senior linebacker Ross Potter intercepted a pass from Blue Devil quarterback Ross Carey at the Falcons 34-yard to put an end to the drive.

Following the interception the Falcons were able to move the ball downfield with relative ease to get the first score of the game.  The Falcons went 5-plays and 66-yards in 2:00 minutes, capped off by a 9-yard touchdown run by Taylor Edwards.  The touchdown was setup on the previous play when Ryan Luessenheide hit Ryan Hansen for a 39-yard gain.  Chad Blair’s point after try hit the right upright bouncing away no good. RF 6, Stout 0.

After the Falcon defense forced Stout to go three and out, the offense came out on the field putting together a good drive that took them inside the Blue Devil 20-yard line.  From there the Blue Devil defense pushed River Falls back to the 25-yard line for a fourth down and 10-yards to go.  Rather then go for the long field goal attempt with the wind at their back, Coach John O’Grady and the Falcons went for broke on fourth down.  Marcus Ball of Stout was able to take down Luessenheide in the backfield for a sack as he looked to pass ending the Falcons drive.

Stout was forced into another three and out on their ensuing possession giving River Falls the ball back with 13:36 to go in the first half.  River Falls’ drive stalled before it could get going and that set up a punt by Drake Klatt.  On fourth down from the Falcon 36-yard line the punting unit came out on the field, Klatt’s punt was deflected by a Blue Devil at the line of scrimmage and carried out of bounds at the Falcon 48-yard line, netting just 12-yards. 

Stout was able to use the short field to their advantage, but were unable to get a touchdown after they had first and goal from the 1-yard line.  Kyle Martin hit a 19-yard field goal to cut the Falcon lead to three.  RF 6, Stout 3.

The Blue Devil defense forced another punt on the next Falcon drive, setting up a long drive for the Stout offense.  Starting from their own 27-yard line Stout was able to go 12-plays and 68-yards in 3:42 which ended with a 22-yard field goal by Martin to even the score 6-6 with forty-one seconds left in half.

The Falcons came out and got the ball first to start the second half but coughed the ball up on a fumble by Luessenheide.  Stout had excellent field position on their opening drive of the half starting at the Falcon 38-yard, but were unable to anything with it turning the ball over on downs at the Falcon 28. 

From there on out it became a battle for field position until midway through the fourth quarter when the Falcons got the ball at their own 20.  The Falcons would eat up more then six minutes of clock before a fourth down and 13-yards to go from the Stout 19 forced a field goal attempt.  Chad Blair’s 37-yard field goal attempt would miss wide left with a minute to play.

Stout moved the ball quickly across midfield before their drive stalled and they punted to the Falcons.  Luessenheide came out with 17 seconds left in regulation and took a knee to send the game into overtime.

The Blue Devils got the ball first to start the OT session, and took just three plays to find the end zone.  Carey hit Patrick Mengelkoch over the middle for a 9-yard touchdown pass.  Following the extra point Stout led 13-6.

On the Falcons possession, facing third and nine Edwards was able to break free for a 14-yard gain and a fresh set of downs.  Two plays later Edwards burst across the line for his second score of the game pulling the Falcons within one at 13-12.  Following timeouts by both teams, Luessenheide and the offense came back out on the field to go for the 2-point conversion.  Luessenheide sprinted to his right but couldn’t turn the corner as he was taken down from behind by Trevor Fiege to end the game.  Final score Stout 13, RF 12.

Carey was 13-29 for 139-yards with a touchdown and an interception.  Luessenheide was 5-18 for 69-yards.

Edwards had his second straight 200-yard rushing game, finishing with 207-yards on 39 carries with two touchdowns. 

Mengelkoch led the game with four receptions for 40-yards and a touchdown.  Eric Brewster had three receptions for 20-yards and Hansen had one reception for 39-yards to lead the Falcons.

Cole Lowell led the Falcon defense with 13 tackles. Potter had an interception and Derek Nette had the only sack for the Falcon defense.

This was the sixth overtime game in school history, the Falcons came into today 4-1 all time in overtimes. The last time the Falcons played in overtime was in 2007 at Ramer Field against UW-Platteville, they won that game 42-36. The only other road OT game was in 1981 won they won 6-0 at La Crosse.

The loss drops the Falcons to 0-1 in the WIAC and 2-2 overall.  Next Saturday the Falcons travel to Oshkosh to take on the Titans.  Kick-off for that game is 1 p.m.

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Edwards, Defense Keys 40-27 Win over Alma

Sept. 26, 2009 

The Falcons hosted Alma College for the 2009 Homecoming game.  Two defensive scores and a big day from Taylor Edwards keyed the Falcons to a 40-27 win over the Scots. 

The Scots got the ball first and drove deep into Falcon territory.  The drive stalled and Alma was forced to try a field goal. Senior safety Ben Arata blocked the attempt, turning away the Scot offense. 

Following a poor River Falls punt, the Scots started at mid-field.  MacKenzie McGrady found Brad Gray for a 15-yard touchdown giving the Scots the early lead. Alma 7, RF 0.

Edwards started the next drive with a 40-yard run.  A few plays later, Edwards took the ball across the goal line for the first time as a Falcon.  The extra point by Chad Blair was converted to tie the score at seven. 

The Alma passing attack took the ball right down the field on the ensuing drive.  McGrady found Andrew Schaar for the score from 12-yards out.  Alma took a 14-7 lead.

River Falls picked up one first-down on their next drive before they were forced to punt.  Drake Klatt’s punt pinned the Scots inside their own 20-yard line.  After an incompletion, McGrady found running back Tyler Periard out of the backfield for a 46-yard gain.  Later in the drive, facing third-and-goal from the RF 8, McGrady was intercepted for the first time.  Tyler Wise juggled the ball and safety Ben Arata nabbed it out of the air.  Arata returned the interception 99-yards for a score, breaking a touchdown-saving tackle attempt by McGrady at mid-field.  That tied the score at 14-14. 

After stopping the Scots on fourth-down the Falcons would regain possession just three minutes later.  On the first play of the drive, Edwards picked up 18-yards.  One play later, he broke a 41-yarder setting up the Falcons inside the Alma 5.  Edwards carried the ball all five plays of the drive, including a 5-yard touchdown run.  River Falls had their first lead of the day at 21-14.  

Neither team would add to the score before the half.  McGrady threw the ball 49 times in the first half.  Matt Gajewski hauled in the Falcons second interception of the day late in the second quarter. 

The Falcons would add two field goals in the third quarter to extend their lead to 27-14.  Matt Guertin set-up the second field goal after he intercepted McGrady at the Alma 25. 

Alma continued to air it out in the second-half.  On the first play of the fourth quarter, McGrady hit Schaar for his second score of the afternoon from six-yards out.  That cut the Falcon lead to six, 27-21.   

River Falls followed with their best drive through the air.  Ryan Luessenheide hit Joel Yogerst out of the back field for 20-yards.  Three plays later, Luessenheide connected on his lone scoring pass of the day hitting freshmen wide receiver Wade Schlichting for a 35-yard touchdown. 

The Falcon defense would come up with another big play virtually ending Alma’s chance of a comeback.  Defensive end Steve Marich stepped in front of a McGrady pass and rumbled 81-yards into the end zone.  Blair missed the extra-point and the Falcons took a 40-21 lead. 

On the next Scot drive, Ross Potter came up with the fifth interception of McGrady with 11:30 remaining.

The Scots would add a late score to make the final 40-27.

McGrady finished 52-84 for 567 yards, two touchdowns and five interceptions.  The NCAA record for most attempts in a game is 94.  Luessenheide threw the ball only 19 times, completing nine for 122 yards with a touchdown and an interception. 

Edwards ran for 251 yards on 30 carries and two scores. 

Schaar had 15 receptions for 167 yards and two trips across the goal line.  Brad Gray caught eight passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns.  Tyler Wise added 14 catches for 123. 

Gajewski and Guertin lead the Falcons with 13 tackles.  They each also had an interception. 

The Falcons improve to 2-1 in 2009.  They will open WIAC play next Saturday in Menomonie when they face off against the Stout Blue Devils.  Kick-off is 1 p.m.

Taylor Edwards run video
Matt Guerin tackle video
Chad Blair field video

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Falcons Open 2009 Season Hosting
St. John's on Saturday

Sept. 4, 2009 

By Steven Linzmeier
UWRF Sports Information

The Falcon football team will open the 2009 season on Saturday when they host St. John’s at 1 p.m., at Ramer Field.

The Falcons are looking to rebound from a near decade of 3-7 seasons. They will look to get over the three win mark for the first time since 2001, but will have to do it without some key players. Gone are some offensive stars including quarterback Storm Harmon, center Scott Witte and All-American wide receiver Michael Zweifel. However, there is plenty of optimism on the Falcon sideline. Head Coach John O’Grady called this year’s team, “one of the best I’ve had in years.”

O’Grady enters his 21st year at the Falcons head coach. This season makes O’Grady the programs longest tenured coach. He has 101 career victories, putting him in second amongst active WIAC coaches. He won his 100th career game last year in a 36-30 victory over UW-Stevens Point at Ramer Field on Oct. 4.

With Harmon gone the Falcons will turn to a new field general. Junior Ryan Luessenheide will take over under center. O’Grady said that Luessenheide took control of the job during spring practice and has continued it into preseason camp. Sophomore B.J. Letourneau will be the back-up. O’Grady has confidence in Letourneau should he be called upon, “I feel good about BJ should something happen to Ryan.”

The running back situation seems to be an area of excitement for the coaches. “Best situation we have been in since we switched to the zone [spread offense], O’Grady said, “All four [running backs] are very good and will all play, if healthy.” Taylor Edwards, a UW-Whitewater transfer, will be one of the guys getting a look in the backfield. Returning is Greg Klingelhutz who had upwards of 100 touches a year ago. He averaged 4.3 yards a carry including three scores. Ahmad Palmer, a junior college transfer and John Schimenz Are the other two runners that O’Grady thinks should get touches. Joel Yogerst will return as the team’s starting fullback.

The Falcons have a gaping hole at wide receiver after the departure of Michael Zweifel. Zweifel transferred to the University of Dubuque after his Dad, Stan, was named the school’s head football coach. O’Grady seems confident with the position regardless of the big loss. There appears to be seven players that are vying to be on the top of the depth chart. Returners Brian Ganske, Mike Woodward, John Keepers and Bryan Penrod will figure to see some big minutes on the outside. It has been two freshmen that have made an impact immediately since stepping onto campus and have been instilled as the starters. Wade Schlichting and John Wahlstrom seem poised to make their debuts as Falcons in the starting line-up. O’Grady spoke very highly of both receivers. “[Schlichting] is faster than Zweifel and will be our deep threat,” O’Grady said. The head coach also commented on Wahlstrom, “he isn’t big, but he is quick and durable. He catches the ball.”

O’Grady called the tight ends, “a tremendous group.” Returning for his fifth year as a Falcon, Ryan Hansen will be looked on to do a lot. Hansen is returning from a season-ending injury a year ago. “[Hansen] can block, he is fast, an inside threat,” O’Grady said, “when he got hurt it really hurt our offense.” Connor Graves will be figured into the tight end rotation. Graves missed the entire 2008 season as well. He is Hansen’s high school teammate, who O’Grady said were very similar in style.

The offensive line is an undersized but athletic group. O’Grady is very excited about the opportunities for moving the offensive line around and stretching the defense. The starters at the tackles will be Scott Hanna and Joe Gotmer. O’Grady called both very athletic and similar. Joe Gangl, Ross Wargula, and Seth Johnson will make up the interior of the offensive line.

The defensive line features the most experience of any unit for the Falcons. Four seniors will start up front. Mike Larson and Justin Palmer will be the anchor at the defensive tackles. O’Grady said both are extremely quick, which makes them tough to block. Derek Nette and Danny Wolf will be putting pressure on the quarterback off the edge at defensive end.

Curt Johnson, Ross Potter, and Cole Lowell will be the starting linebackers for the Falcon defense. All three are returning starters from a year ago. Lowell will be shifting from middle linebacker to the weak side linebacker.

Along with Lowell, O’Grady called senior defensive back Ben Arata, “the leader of the defense.” Arata will be the team’s starting free safety again in 2009. Arata tied for the team lead in tackles and led the team with four interceptions in 2008. He was named to the second All-WIAC after his great year. He will be joined in the secondary by Matt Ainsworth at strong safety. At the corners will be Matt Guertin; and moving from safety is Matt Gajewski. Guertin came up with the interception to seal the Falcons upset victory over Stevens Point a year ago.

Two things that the Falcons must overcome, according to their head coach, is their lack of size and injuries. “You must be able to overcome injuries,” O’Grady said. He believes that the athleticism the team posses will be able to combat the lack of size.

The Falcon game against St. John’s will feature the official retirement of former Falcon great Jimmy Baier’s No. 33 jersey. His jersey is the only Falcon number that has been retired.

The annual Homecoming game is on Sept. 26 when the Falcons host Alma College. The WIAC winning 1979 and 1984 teams will be recognized on that afternoon.

UWRF opens WIAC play on Oct. 3 when they travel to UW-Stout for a 1 p.m., game.

When the Falcons host UW-La Crosse on Oct. 14 nine new members will be inducted into the UWRF Athletic Hall of Fame.

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