By Nathan Martinson
UWRF Sports Information

Ryan Abbott is one of the most experienced players on the Falcon offensive line. In this, his senior season, Abbott is starting as a guard on a good Falcon line.

In 2004, Abbott was a backup as an offensive guard. He saw action in seven of the team's 10 games and started in the game against UW-Platteville where the team came back to claim a 25-21 win. Abbott was also named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll.

His teammates feel that he has brought toughness to the team that cannot be matched. After a dominating performance against Pacific Lutheran, the Falcon offensive line was named the Offensive Line of the Week by d3football.com. He helped the team rush for 506 yards and 560 yards of total offense.

At times this season the team has struggled, but Abbott feels that the team can win out and maybe have a chance to contend for the conference title.

"I hope and think that we win the rest of our conference games this year," Abbott said.

Abbott, 6-0, 280 pounds, uses his size to overmatch many of his opponents.

"Ryan has improved dramatically during his years here. At this point he is our starting right guard and is doing well. He will be very successful in his life," said Falcon Coach John O'Grady.

"Football has brought me a lot of life long friends that I would have never met if I didn't join the football team. It feels like home because I hang out with a big group of guys," said Abbott.

Abbott grew up in DeSoto, Wis., and played high school football there. At DeSoto he was named first team as an offensive and defensive lineman as a senior. He was also named the team's captain.

"Football has brought a lot of joys to me in my life, being all-conference in high school was good and now starting at RF is very fulfilling," said Abbott.

He felt that he played on a very good team his senior season, but the team only finished with a .500 record. He was coached by Milt Hendrickson.

He is majoring is culinary management and is the son of Curtis.

Abbott enjoys working out and relaxing in his free time. He also works hard on homework out of the football season.

Although the team has lost a bunch of conference games in a row that include UW-Eau Claire (Oct 8), UW-Stevens Point (Oct 15), and UW-Stout (Oct 22), Abbott feels that the team has a chance to win the rest of its games and finish the season with a .500 record.

With a win against UW-Platteville (Oct 29) he feels that the team can use it to propel them to win the last two games remaining on the schedule.