Game Date: Saturday, Oct. 16
Where Played: River Falls, Wis.
Time: 1 p.m.
Location: River Falls, WI 54022
Enrollment: 5,800
Head coach: John O'Grady (16th season 86-62-3 overall record)
(best time to reach O'Grady is early mornings, phone: 715/425-3135)
Assistant coaches: Kevin Bullis, Jamie Herrick
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
2004 overall record: 1-4-0
2004 conference record: 1-1-0
2003 overall record: 2-7-0
2004 conference record: 2-5-0
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/sports0405
Football web site: http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/sports0405/fb_menu.htm
Sports information fax: 715/425-4486

Falcons Open Home Season Hosting UW-Whitewater in WIAC Game
The Falcons finally get to play a home game on Saturday when they host UW-Whitewater at Ramer Field with kick off set for 1 p.m.

UWRF is riding high, fresh off a 25-21 comeback victory at previously undefeated UW-Platteville. The 19th ranked (D3football.com) Warhawks come off a 46-17 rebound victory over UW-Stout. The previous week UWW lost at Platteville 7-6. The Warhawks have beaten the Falcons the last two seasons, last year's game was a 32-28 victory.

When analyzing the two offenses don’t look any farther than the backfield. River Falls and Whitewater love to run the football. The Falcons use a couple of backs while the Warhawks rely on sophomore running back Colin Burns to carry the load. Burns has been up to the challenge this season. Against Eau Claire Burns carried the ball 54 times for 241 yards. The sophomore leads the WIAC in rushing with 925 yards.

The Falcons John Peterlik is No. 2 in the conference with 522 yards. The backs flip flop spots when it comes to all purpose yards. Peterlik is No. 1 with 154.6 yards per game while Burns is two with 154.3. Peterlik also enjoys a five to four advantage in rushing touchdowns over Burns. Unlike Burns Peterlik gets help from others. In the past two games freshman fullback Nathan Anderson has ran for a combined 270 yards. Last week Anderson ran 31 times for 170 yards in the victory over the Pioneers. Anderson is sixth in conference in rushing (294 yards). As a team RF is No. 1 in the WIAC in rushing (264.2) while the Warhawks are third (217.3). The consistent rushing attack helps Whitewater lead the WIAC in first downs (112) while River Falls is sixth with 89.

While both teams know how to run the ball, only Whitewater knows how to stop the run. The Warhawks are No. 1 in the WIAC in rushing defense (78.8, 2.1 yards per play). The Falcons are last in rushing defense (210.2). UWW is third in total defense and River Falls is seventh. Whitewater also gives up the fewest points scored in the WIAC with 13 per game.

"We historically have played very well against Whitewater and we’ll need to because they have a great defense," said Falcon Coach John O’Grady. The Warhawk defense has held opponents to 10 points or fewer four times this season. UWW is second in turnover margin (+10) while RF is last with -7.

When it comes down to airing it out the Warhawks have the advantage but not by much. Whitewater averages 147.5 in the air while River Falls puts up 60.8 passing. River Falls is coming off a performance that had the Falcons score all of their touchdowns through the air and total over 100 yards passing. When the Warhawks do throw quarterback Justin Jacobs looks to leading receiver Jim Lesczynski, who is fifth in the WIAC in receiving yards per game. Falcon senior receiver Corey Strinmoen’s two out of three catches this season are for touchdowns. Both TDs came last week. Running backs Jeremy Wolf and Peterlik lead the Falcons in receiving with five catches each.

Whitewater once again has RF beat in pass defense. On the year the Warhawks pass defense efficiency is 93.6, second in the WIAC. River Falls is seventh with 130.7. The Falcons did hold the Platteville passing attack under 225 yards last week. One part of stopping the pass is pressuring the quarterback. UWW is first in sacks with 14 while RF is last with one. The Warkawk pass rushing attack is led by senior defensive linemen Jason Boehlke and Nick Zolper who are tied for the conference lead with five sack each. The pressure doesn’t end there; junior linebacker Collin Price is first in the WIAC with 9.5 tackles for loss. River Falls’ defense makes an impact in other areas. Sophomore safety O’Neal Hampton is tied for first in conference in forced fumbles.

Efficiency in the red zone favors the Warhawks. Whitewater has converted 22-26 red zone opportunities this year which is third in the WIAC. The Falcons are sixth going 9-12 inside the 20. UWW is also good at stopping teams in the red zone. Whitewater is first in red zone defense while RF is last in WIAC play. An unspoken part of football is penalties. Whitewater is the most penalized team in the WIAC while River Falls has the fewest. The Warhawks on average are penalized 84.7, the Falcons are flagged for 29.2.

On Saturday, Oct. 23 the Falcons will host UW-Stout in the annual Homecoming Game at Ramer Field. Kick off will be at 1 p.m.

John O'Grady
86-62-3 overall record
7-8-0 vs. Whitewater

Defense
E
9 Josh Meyer 5-9 246 Sr. Darien, WI/Delavan-Darien
64 Mike Larson 6-0 240 So. Durand, WI
T
58 Aaron Retzlaff 6-2 285 Jr. Shawano, WI
57 Dylan Dabrowski 6-3 240 Fr. Somerset, WI
E
96 Josh Graham 6-3 225 Jr. Wausau, WI/East
94 Jeff Cassellius 6-4 215 Jr. Boyceville, WI/Glenwood City
LB
17 Ben Gillett 6-2 210 Sr. Rosendale, WI/Laconia
43 Ryan Agrimson 6-0 260 Fr. Peterson, MN/Rushford-Peterson
LB
38 Nate Gray 6-0 240 Sr. Fond du Lac, WI/St. Mary's Springs
34 Tony Dorner 5-11 225 Fr. Green Bay, WI/East
LB
48 Dan Buker 5-11 230 So. Waseca, MN
45 Jon Haughian 5-10 210 Sr. Rice Lake, WI
WS
7 Matt Farmer 6-0 180 Sr. Tomahawk, WI
14 Joshua Barney 5-11 205 Jr. Clear Lake, WI
SS
27 O'Neal Hampton 5-8 185 So. Richfield, MN
97 Bruce Baillargeon 6-0 185 Fr. Somerset, WI
CB
13 Matt Jordan 5-7 165 So. Thorp, WI
29 Shane Hanson 5-11 165 Fr. River Falls, WI
FS
32 Kyle Hoegh 6-0 205 Sr. Byron, MN
39 Bob Nesvig 5-10 189 So. Gaylord, MN/Sibley East
CB
23 Roman Johnson 5-9 155 Jr. Clearwater, FL
86 Mark O'Neill 5-11 160 Fr. Maplewood, MN/St. Bernards

Special Teams
Punt Returns
23 Roman Johnson 5-9 155 Jr. Clearwater, FL
28 John Peterlik 5-7 195 Sr. Cadott, WI
Kick Off Returns
23 Roman Johnson 5-9 155 Jr. Clearwater, FL
41 Brent Fjerstad 5-11 170 Fr Clear Lake, WI
Punter
16 Jovin Kroll 6-0 175 So. Poplar, WI/Northwestern
Place Kicker
44 Spasimir Bodurski 5-11 230 So. Cannon Falls, MN/Randolph
Snapper
82 Brad Malpert 6-0 263 Sr. Ringle, WI/D.C. Everest
58 Aaron Retzlaff 6-2 285 Jr. Shawano, WI
Holder
16 Jovin Kroll 6-0 175 So. Poplar, WI/Northwestern

This Week's WIAC Games
Saturday, Oct. 16
Whitewater at River Falls, 1 p.m.
Eau Claire at La Crosse, 11:30 a.m.
Stevens Point at Stout, 1 p.m.
Platteville at Oshkosh, 1:30 p.m.

Series Results

1914 Whitewater 13, River Falls 0
1915 River Falls 7, Whitewater 0
1948 River Falls 28, Whitewater 19
1949 Whitewater 19, River Falls 6
1958 River Falls 14, Whitewater 0
1959 Whitewater 34, River Falls 14
1964 River Falls 12, Whitewater 6
1965 River Falls 21, Whitewater 21
1966 Whitewater 17, River Falls 0
1967 Whitewater 26, River Falls 13
1968 Whitewater 19, River Falls 9
1969 Whitewater 48, River Falls 20
1970 Whitewater 58, River Falls 2
1971 River Falls 14, Whitewater 9