When: Saturday, Sept. 13
Where: River Falls, Wis.
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: River Falls, WI 54022
Enrollment: 5,800
Head coach: John O'Grady (15th season 83-53-3 overall record)
(best time to reach O'Grady is early mornings, phone: 715/425-3135)
Assistant coaches: Kevin Bullis, Tom Journell
National affiliations: National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Div. III
Conference: Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference
Conference members: Eau Claire, La Crosse, Oshkosh, Platteville, River Falls, Stevens Point, Stout, Superior, Whitewater
Nickname: Falcons
Colors: Red and White
WIAC championships: (18) 1915, 1916, 1924, 1925, 1926, 1933, 1938, 1947, 1958, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1980, 1984, 1985, 1986, 1987, 1998
Offensive formation: Wishbone
Defensive formation: 4-4
2002 overall record: 3-7-0
2002 conference record, finish: 2-5, 6th place tie
Home field, phone: Ramer Field (4,300) press box phones, 715/425-3746 and 715/425-3369
Trainer: Gary Eloranta 715/425-3130
Sports information director: Jim Thies 715/425-3846
Web site: http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/
Sports information fax: 715/425-4486

The Falcons play at home for the second week in a row Saturday when they host Concordia-St. Paul at 1 p.m. at Ramer Field.

Both teams started the season last weekend with losses. UW-RF lost at home to Chadron State, 43-22 and CSP lost at South Dakota, 34-28.

After hanging on against Chadron in the first half last week, the Falcons gave up 15 unanswered points in the third quarter to let the game slip away. Two freshmen, Andy Kolstad and Troy Foss, will split time at quarterback, after the Falcons played four last week.

Another freshman, fullback Owen Schmitt carried for 136 yards and two touchdowns last week. Joining Schmitt in the backfield is the returning leading rusher in the WIAC John Peterlik, who last week had 26 yards rushing and a touchdown reception.

Cornerback Lewis Parish led the team in tackles with seven while the Falcon defense came up with six sacks with Jeff Cassellius recording two. Neil Mantor had one interception from his cornerback position.

The Golden Bears out gained South Dakota 452-328 in total offense with sophomore quarterback James McNear throwing for 312 yards and two touchdowns. McNear also rushed for one score.

Halfback Chris Washington rushed for 107 yards and a touchdown to lead the Golden Bear ground attack.
Linebacker Allen Turay led the defense with 11 tackles and one sack. Lineback Brian Boyle was second with 10 tackles. Defensive backs James Dell and Joe Amundson each had interceptions.

McNear, a Des Moines, Iowa, native was the NSIC, NCAA Div. II, and NCAA All-Divisions Freshman of the Year last year after leading the Golden Bears to a school record nine wins.

2003 River Falls Statistical Leaders
Rushing - Owen Schmitt, 20, 136, 2, 6.8
Andy Kolstad, 10, 47, 0, 4.7
Passing - Andy Kolstad, 4-3-1, 48, 1
Troy Foss, 6-1-1, 7, 0
Receiving - John Peterlik, 2, 39, 1
Chris Anderson, 2, 16, 0
Tackles - Lewis Parisk, 6, 1, 7
Matt Farmer, 6, 0, 6
Nate Hendrickson, 2, 4, 6

2003 Concordia Statistical Leaders
Rushing - Chris Washington, 18, 107, 1, 5.9
Aaron Cawthorn, 4, 18, 0, 4.5
Passing - James McNear, 31-22-2, 312, 2
Receiving - Joseph Mapson, 6, 57, 1
Wesley Hill, 5, 63, 1
Chris Washington, 4, 29, 0
Tackles - Allen Turay, 5, 6, 11
Brian Doyle, 5, 5, 10
Lawrence Johnson, 3, 0, 3

John O'Grady
83-53-3 overall record
0-1-0 vs. Concordia

Defense
E
92 Jeff Horton 6-4 240 Sr Oakdale, Minn. (Tartan)
96 Josh Graham 6-4 220 So Wausau, Wis. (East)
T
99 Josh Meyer 5-11 245 Jr Darien, Wis. (Delavan-Darien))
51 Dave Kapping 5-11 245 So River Falls, Wis.
T
46 Nic Rue 6-0 255 Sr Portage, Wis.
58 Aaron Retzlaff 6-2 255 So Shawano, Wis..
E
52 Nate Hendrickson 6-3 235 Sr Prescott, Wis.
94 Jeff Cassellius 6-3 215 So Boyceville, Wis. (Glenwood City)
LB
7 Matt Farmer 6-0 180 Jr Tomahawk, Wis.
13 Matt Jordan 5-8 160 Fr Thorp, Wis.
LB
42 Nate Mueller 6-2 230 Sr Newton, Wis. (Roncalli)
38 Nate Gray 6-0 230 Jr Fond du Lac, Wis. (St. Mary's Springs)
LB
17 Ben Gillett 6-3 210 Jr Rosendale, Wis. (Laconia))
47 Steve Arcand 6-0 200 So Clear Lake, Wis.
LB
35 Aaron Greisen 6-1 200 Jr Greenwood, Wis.
CB
3 Lewis Parish 6-0 157 So Onalaska, Wis.
95 Trevor Gross DB 5-9 180 Fr Pierz, Minn.
FS
32 Kyle Hoegh 6-1 205 Jr Byron, Minn.
27 O'neal Hampton 5-8 160 Fr Richfield, Minn.
CB
24 Neil Mantor 5-11 180 Sr Wausau, Wis. (West)
23 Roman Johnson 5-10 160 So Clearwater, Fla.

Special Teams
Punt Returns
23 Roman Johnson 5-10 160 So Clearwater, Fla.
3 Lewis Parish 6-0 157 So Onalaska, Wis.
Kick Off Returns
28 John Peterlik 5-8 185 Jr Cadott, Wis.
23 Roman Johnson 5-10 160 So Clearwater, Fla.
Punter
88 Adam Bergdahl 6-1 210 Sr North Branch, Minn.
84 Jovin Kroll 6-1 175 Fr Poplar, Wis. (Northwestern)
Place Kicker
88 Adam Bergdahl 6-1 210 Sr North Branch, Minn.
84 Jovin Kroll 6-1 175 Fr Poplar, Wis. (Northwestern)
Snapper
82 Brad Malpert 6-0 230 Jr Ringle, Wis. (D.C. Everest)
58 Aaron Retzlaff 6-2 255 So Shawano, Wis.
Holder
84 Jovin Kroll 6-1 175 Fr Poplar, Wis. (Northwestern)
88 Adam Bergdahl 6-1 210 Sr North Branch, Minn.

This Week's WIAC Games
Saturday, Sept. 13
Concordia-St. Paul at River Falls, 1 p.m.
Stevens Point at Tri-State, 12:30 p.m.
La Crosse at Illinois Wesleyan, 1 p.m.
Concordia at Oshkosh, 1 p.m.
Hardin-Simmons at Stout, 1 p.m.
Augsburg at Eau Claire, 7 p.m.
St. Xavier at Whitewater, 7 p.m.

Series Results

2002 - Concordia 26, River Falls 21