Location: River Falls, WI 54022
Enrollment: 5,800
Interim chancellor: Virgil Nylander
WIAC faculty representatives: Rik Seefeldt, Barbara Rebhuhn
Interim athletic director: Rick Bowen (phone: 715/425-3246)
Interim assistant athletic director: Patti Ford (phone: 715-425-3244)
Head coach: John O'Grady (16th season 85-59-3 overall record)
(best time to reach O'Grady is early mornings, phone: 715/425-3135)
Assistant coaches: Kevin Bullis (defensive coordinator), Jamie Herrick (defensive line), Tom Caflisch (specialists), Woody Fangmeier (defensive line), Carl Finstad (HB), Ben Gray (defensive backs), Dan Keefer (inside linebackers), Jeremy Kerg (wide receivers), Jason Laube (defensive backs), Carmen Pata (offensive line), Jon Pieper (linebackers), Tom Pulford (quarterbacks), Tim Taylor (centers, quarterbacks), Dave Young (fullbacks)
National affiliation: 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
2003 overall record: 2-7
2003 conference record, finish: 2-5, 6th place
2003 letter winners lost: 11 (4 offensive, 6 defensive, 1 special teams) Adam Bergdahl (P-PK), Dan Booth (HB), Nick Enerson (OT), Aaron Greisen (LB), Nate Hendrickson (DE), Jeff Horton (DE), Andy Kotelnicki (C), Neil Mantor (DB), Nate Mueller (DT), Jake Norby (LB), Tom Pulford (QB), Nick Rue (DE), Owen Schmitt (FB), Greg Spahn (OG)
2003 starters lost: (7) Nick Enerson (OT), Aaron Greisen (LB), Nate Hendrickson (DE), Jeff Horton (DE), Nic Rue (DT), Owen Schmitt (FB), Greg Spahn (C)
2003 letter winners returning: 42 (15 offensive, 25 defensive, 2 special team) Ryan Abbott (C), Chris Ammann (TE), Chris Anderson (WR), Steve Arcand (LB), Nick Asmus (DE), Joshua Barney (DB), Dan Buker (LB), Chris Butterfield (DB), Jeff Cassellius (DE), Nate Cook (OT), Matt Farmer (LB), Neal Folta (FB), Ben Gillett (LB), Josh Graham (DE), Nate Gray (LB), O'neal Hampton (DB), Brett Hanson (DE), Jon Haughian (LB), Kyle Hoegh (DB), Jeremy Hotz (OG), Roman Johnson (DB), Matt Jordan (DB), Dave Kapping (C), Jake Knapmiller (TE), Andy Kolstad (QB), Jovin Kroll (P), Justin Larson (LB), Mike Larson (LB), Brad Malpert (LS), Josh Meyer (DT), Josh Nelson (HB), Bob Nesvig (DB), Alan Nutt (OT), Lewie Parish (DB), John Peterlik (HB), Nathan Renk (DE), Aaron Retzlaff (DT), Matt Schreiner (DT), Zeke Secrist (HB), Corey Strinmoen (WR), Jeremy Witt (DB), Jeremy Wolff (HB)
2003 returning offensive starters: (8) Chris Ammann (TE), Chris Anderson (WR), Nate Cook (T), Jeremy Hotz (G), Andy Kolstad (QB), Alan Nutt (T), John Peterlik (HB), Jeremy Wolff (HB)
2003 returning defensive starters: (8) Dan Buker (LB), Matt Farmer (LB), Nate Gray (LB), Kyle Hoegh (DB), Roman Johnson (DB), Josh Meyer (T), Lewie Parish (DB), Aaron Retzlaff (T)
2003 returning specialists: (4) Roman Johnson (RS), Jovin Kroll (P/H), Brad Malpert (LS), John Peterlik (RS)
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 (e-mail: james.g.thies@uwrf.edu)
Athletic department web site: http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/sports0405
Football web site: http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/sports0405/fb_menu.htm
Sports information fax: 715/425-4486

2004 Falcon Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Time	Series record
Sept. 11	Con.-St. Paul	A	1 p.m.	0-2-0
Sept. 18	Bemidji State	A	1:30 p.m.	1-1-0
Sept. 25	Pacific Lutheran	A	3:30 p.m.	0-0-0
Oct. 2	Eau Claire*	A	1 p.m.	46-30-7
Oct. 9	Platteville*	A	2 p.m.	29-17-2
Oct. 16	Whitewater*	H	1 p.m.	21-24-2
Oct. 23	Stout*	H	1 p.m.	66-24-1
Oct. 30	Oshkosh*	H	1 p.m.	34-14-1
Nov. 6	La Crosse*	A	1 p.m.	29-53-7
Nov. 13	Stevens Point*	H	2 p.m.	34-26-3

* WIAC Game

2003 Falcon Results

2-7-0 Overall, 2-5-0 WIAC
Home 1-4-0, Away 1-3-0, Neutral 0-0-0

Date	Opponent	Site	Time	Result	Series record
Sept. 6	Chadron	H	noon	L, 43-22	0-4-0
Sept. 13	Con.-St. Paul	H	1 p.m.	L, 42-20	0-2-0
Sept. 27	Eau Claire*	H	1 p.m.	L, 42-28	46-30-7
Oct. 11	Whitewater*	A	1 p.m.	L, 32-28	21-24-2
Oct. 18	Platteville*	H	1 p.m.	W, 44-21	29-17-2
Oct. 25	Stout*	A	1 p.m.	L, 21-13	66-24-1
Nov. 1	Oshkosh*	A	1 p.m.	W, 31-21	34-14-1
Nov. 8	La Crosse*	H	1 p.m.	L, 34-22	29-53-7
Nov. 15	Stevens Point*	A	1 p.m.	L, 49-15	34-26-3

*WIAC Game

2004 UW-River Falls football preview
The 2004 Falcons will look to improve in all areas of the game and will rely on some key returning players to lead the way. The Falcons finished a disappointing 2-7 last year and were 2-5 and in sixth place in the competitive WIAC.

Eight starters return to each of the offensive and defensive units. Coach John O'Grady, entering his 16th season with the Falcons, is looking for better offensive performance and a defense that won't give up the big play.

Offense
The Falcons will rely on the wishbone offense again in 2004. UWRF has led the WIAC in rushing every year since 1973 and last season averaged 318 yards per game and finished sixth in the NCAA Div. III.

The success of the offense is based on the line and the Falcons have some returning players who will be looked upon to lead the way. Jeremy Hotz, Alan Nutt, Nate Cook and Chris Ammann all return to starting spots in the line. Hotz and Cook started at guard, Nutt at tackle and Ammann at tight end. All except Ammann could play multiple positions and they might this year in an effort to put the best lineup on the field.

Fullback Owen Schmitt, who led the Falcons in rushing and was named to the first All-WIAC team as a freshman, will not return in 2004. He has transferred to the University of West Virginia. But halfback John Peterlik is back after rushing for 1,114 yards in 2002 and 984 last year. He was named to the first All-WIAC team as an all-purpose back in 2004 when he averaged 185 yards a game. He was fourth in rushing and second in scoring in WIAC play in 2003. In 2002 he was named to the first All-WIAC team when he led the league in rushing. Also back to run the wishbone is quarterback Andy Kolstad who played very well for a true freshman. He rushed for 181 yards and passed for 182. Also back is halfback Jeremy Wolff who had an excellent first year. He was third in rushing with 289 yards and led the Falcons with a 7.4 per carry average.

"I have not been happy with our offensive production for the past three years," said O'Grady. "We were better in 2003 using two freshmen quarterbacks, a freshman fullback, a first year starter at halfback and a number of linemen who were getting their first opportunities to play.

"We return our top two halfbacks in Peterlik and Wolff. Kolstad is also back and he's as dedicated to the mental aspect of running the offense as any player we've had here. He should be outstanding in his second year. We have to find an answer at the fullback spot and it could be two or three players. Neal Folta will be given every opportunity to play. John Ward has gotten bigger and I'm intrigue by him. I'm hoping he can show us he can play the position. There are also some freshmen that could also help. We don't expect the position to be as productive as a year ago, but if we can come close that will help.

"The line has a number of players who have experienced led by Hotz, Nutt and Cook. That will help. They will be pushed by some red shirt freshmen. The size and ability of our young linemen is great. They have worked hard and may get playing time because some or bigger and stronger than some of the veterans. We should be a better offensive line and we're expecting more out of the offense this year."

Defense
Eight starters are back to the defense and that unit will look to improve on last year's numbers. UWRF finished last in scoring defense in 2003 giving up 33 points a contest.

Two of the eight starters are recovering from injuries and hope to be back in the lineup. Corner Lewie Parish and linebacker Matt Farmer had shoulder and hip injuries respectively. Parish was named to the second all-WIAC team in 2003 after finishing with 50 tackles and an interception. Farmer was second on the team with 57 tackles.

Up front Josh Meyer returns at tackle after starting the past two years. He had 18 tackles last year, including five for lost yardage. Aaron Retzlaff will also play at tackle after starting some in 2003. He finished with 17 tackles, including five for loss yardage. Both starters at defensive end graduated. Jeff Cassellius will fill one spot at that spot. He registered 12 tackles, six were for loss yardage and he had three sacks as a back up. He is a strong pass rusher. Starters will have to be found for both end spots.

Nate Gray, Ben Gillett and Dan Buker return at three of the four linebacker spots. The fourth linebacker, Aaron Greissen is serving in the reserves in Iraq. Gray finished with 48 tackles, Buker with 35 and Gillett with 32.

Kyle Hoegh will be back for his final season at free safety and Roman Johnson returns at a corner spot. Hoegh led the Falcons with 66 tackles while Johnson had 33 stops and four pass break ups.

"We will be going through a transition and will simplify the defense," said O'Grady. "We think that in the past years we over coached and asked the players to learn too much. Because of that we haven't gotten the best out of everyone. We gave up too many big plays and too many points because we were too technical. We're going to go back to a simpler mode with less to learn. That will allow the defense to get better at a few things and that should make a difference.

"Hoegh and Johnson are returners and we feel good about them - we're just not sure who they will be surrounded by. The linebackers will also be good - they have a great deal of playing time. Meyer needs to have a great year at tackle and Retzlaff is an all-WIAC type player.

"Overall we should have a better defense because things will be simpler and that will allow younger players to play earlier. We will give up some yards, but we will be better in points allowed."

Special Teams
Graduated is Adam Bergdahl who was a four-year regular as a punter and place kicker. He averaged 32.6 yards a punt and scored 33 points. Jovin Kroll punted 11 times in 2003 and averaged 31.3 a kick. Transfer Spasimir Bodurski will have a chance to fill the field goal and extra point duties. Back is long snapper Brad Malpert who has been a regular for three seasons at that important position.

"Kroll has some experience and that will help," said O'Grady. "Malpert is a steadying influence. Bodurski has as strong a leg as I've every seen."

Peterlik, Johnson and Parish will handle the punt and kickoff return duties. Peterlik averaged 24.6 yards per kick off return and scored on a 90-yard return in 2003. Johnson averaged 21.7 and Parish 17.9 in kickoffs. Parish averaged 9.9 yards per punt return and Johnson averaged 6.7.

WIAC Race - Schedule
Before entering WIAC play the Falcons have three non-conference games - two against NCAA Div. II opponents. The Falcons won't play a home game until the fifth contest of the year on Oct. 16. The Falcons open the season on Sept. 11 at Concordia-St. Paul and then play at Bemidji State on Sept. 18. Concordia tied for the NSIC title last year and finished 8-4 overall. Bemidji finished 5-3 in NSIC play and 7-4 overall.

The third non-conference game will be at Pacific Lutheran University in Tacoma, Wash., on Sept. 25. PLU will be coached by Scott Westering who is in his first year. But he is no stranger to Lutes football having served as an assistant coach for 23 years under his father, the legendary Frosty Westering. PLU has been in either the NAIA or NCAA national playoffs 11 times since 1979. The Lutes won the NCAA championship in 1999 and NAIA championships in 1980, 1987 and 1993.

O'Grady picks La Crosse as the pre-season favorite in the WIAC race. Whitewater and Stevens Point will also compete for the WIAC title. UWRF will open its home season on Oct. 16 against Whitewater. The Falcons play at La Crosse on Nov. 6 and at home against Stevens Point on Nov. 13.

2003 Returning Letter Winners

Go to the Falcon 2003 Statistics Page

Go to the WIAC Football Page

John O'Grady
Head Coach