Location: River Falls, WI 54022
Enrollment: 5,800
Chancellor: Don Betz
WIAC faculty representatives: Rik Seefeldt, Barbara Rebhuhn
Athletic director: Rick Bowen (phone: 715/425-3246)
Assistant athletic director: Patti Ford (phone: 715-425-3244)
Head coach: John O'Grady (17th season 88-66-3 overall record; 59-46-3 WIAC 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), Damon Clare (linebackers), Woody Fangmeier (defensive line), Ben Gray (defensive backs), Alan Hensell (quarterbacks), Jeremy Kerg (wide receivers), Al Nutt (offensive line), Carmen Pata (offensive line), Jeff Rodgers (linebackers), 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: 3-5-3
2004 overall record: 3-7
2004 conference record, finish: 3-4, 5th place tie
2004 letter winners lost: 15 ( 7 offensive, 7 defensive, 1 special teams) Chris Ammann (OT), Matt Farmer (LB), Neal Folta (FB), Ben Gillett (LB), Josh Graham (DE), Nate Gray (LB), Jon Haughian (DB), Kyle Hoegh (DB), Jeremy Hotz (OG), Jacob Knapmiller (TE), Brad Malpert (LS), Josh Meyer (DE), Alan Nutt (OT), John Peterlik (HB), Cory Strinmoen (WR)
2004 letter winners returning: 44 (17 offensive, 25 defensive, 2 special team) Ryan Abbott (OG), Andy Acosta (LB), Bamidele Adetifa (LB), David Affeldt (QB), Ryan Agrimson (LB), Chris Anderson (WR), Nate Anderson (FB), Nick Asmus (DE), Bruce Baillargeon (DB), Joshua Barney (LB), Steve Bernard (C), Spasimir Bodurski (PK), Dan Buker (LB), Jeff Cassellius (DE), Nathan Cook (OT), Dylan Dabrowski (DT), Beau DeBruin (HB), Tony Dorner (LB), Mike Fedie (OL), O'Neal Hampton (DB), Brett Hanson (DE), Shane Hanson (DB), Tyler Hasse (LB), Todd Hofdahl (DE), Matt Jordan (DB), Dave Kapping (OG), Pete Kolpack (OT), Andy Kolstad (QB), Jovin Kroll (P), Justin Larson (LB), Mike Larson (DE), Nate Litscher (LB), Andrew Marx (TE), Josh Nelson (WR), Robby Nesvig (DB), Gregg Newmann (DE), Nathan Renk (DE), Aaron Retzlaff (DT), Matt Schreiner (DT), Zeke Secrist (HB), Nathan Tenut (OG), John Ward (FB), Sean Wolf (LB), Jeremy Wolff (HB),
2004 returning offensive starters: (6) Dave Affeldt (QB), Nate Anderson (FB), Nate Cook (OT), Andy Marx (TE), Jordan Miller (G), Jeremy Wolff (HB)
2004 returning defensive starters: (5) Dan Buker (LB), O'Neal Hampton (SS), Shane Hanson (CB), Matt Jordan (CB), Aaron Retzlaff (T)
2004 returning specialists: (2) Spasimir Bodurski (PK), Jovin Kroll (P, H)
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/sports0506
Football web site: http://www.uwrf.edu/sports/sports0506/fb_menu.htm
Sports information fax: 715/425-4486

2005 Falcon Schedule

Date	Opponent	Site	Time	Series record
Sept. 10	Con.-St. Paul	H	1 p.m.	0-3-0
Sept. 17	Bemidji State	H	1 p.m.	1-2-0
Sept. 24	Pacific Lutheran	H	1 p.m.	0-1-0
Oct. 1	Oshkosh*	A	7 p.m.	34-15-1
Oct. 8	Eau Claire*	H	1 p.m.	46-31-7
Oct. 15	Stevens Point*	A	1 p.m.	35-26-3
Oct. 22	Stout*	A	1 p.m.	67-24-1
Oct. 29	Platteville*	H	1 p.m.	30-17-2
Nov. 5	La Crosse*	H	1 p.m.	29-54-7
Nov. 12	Whitewater	A	1 p.m.	21-25-2

* WIAC Game

2004 Falcon Results
3-7-0 Overall, 3-4-0 WIAC
Home 2-2-0, Away 1-5-0, Neutral 0-0-0

Date	Opponent	Site	Time	Result	Series record
Sept. 11	Con.-St. Paul	A	1:30 p.m.	L, 47-25	0-3-0
Sept. 18	Bemidji State	A	1:30 p.m.	L, 58-14	1-2-0
Sept. 25	Pacific Lutheran	A	3:30 p.m.	L, 28-24	0-1-0
Oct. 2	Eau Claire*	A	1 p.m.	L, 37-15	46-31-7
Oct. 9	Platteville*	A	2 p.m.	W, 25-21	30-17-2
Oct. 16	Whitewater	H	1 p.m.	L, 42-3	21-25-2
Oct. 23	Stout*	H	1 p.m.	W, 28-10	67-24-1
Oct. 30	Oshkosh*	H	1 p.m.	L, 28-25	34-15-1
Nov. 6	La Crosse*	A	1 p.m.	L, 38-14	29-54-7
Nov. 13	Stevens Point*	H	2 p.m.	W, 24-22	35-26-3

*WIAC Game

2005 UW-River Falls football preview
Coach John O'Grady believes the 2005 Falcons will be in the middle of the battle for the WIAC title. With experienced players back in all phases of the game, O'Grady, who is in his 17th season with the Falcons, knows his team can contend against the other strong WIAC programs.

Offense
The Falcons return some experienced players at key positions that gives O'Grady a reason for offensive optimism. Starters and back ups return at both quarterback and fullback. Dave Affeldt played in every game and Andy Kolstad played in six last year at quarterback. Affeldt was third on the team in rushing with 349 yards and he scored four times. He was 3-6 passing for 52 yards and one score. Kolstad, who missed four games with injuries, rushed for 114 yards and was 13-26 passing for 208 yards and two touchdowns. Jeremy Wolff, who started every game at halfback in 2004, could play some under center in 2005. He rushed for 177 yards as a halfback last year. He completed the only pass he threw for a 35-yard touchdown. Three veterans return at fullback led by 2004 starter Nathan Anderson. He was second on the team in rushing with 876 yards and he scored four times. John Ward played in eight games and finished with 170 yards. B.J. LeRoy, who did not play last year, returns for the 2005 season. "The quarterback spot is up for grabs," said O'Grady. "Only time will tell who the starter will be. We have some great depth at fullback - a spot where depth is needed. Anderson has gotten bigger and stronger. Ward played last year and LeRoy is back too." The graduation of halfback John Peterlik will leave a hole to fill. He led the Falcons in rushing last year (1,143 yards) and scored 11 touchdowns. He also returned punts and kickoffs. He was named to the All-WIAC team as an all-purpose back. O'Grady said that Wolff, Affeldt or Kolstad could also play halfback. Beau DeBruin, who rushed for 124 yards and one touchdown, and Zeke Secrist, could also see action at halfback. "The halfback spots are a little up in the air right now." Chris Anderson returns at wide receiver. He caught only one pass last year - for 29 yards - but he, "runs great routes, is quick and can catch the ball," according to O'Grady. Josh Nelson also played some at wide receiver and Josh Grover, who had the fastest 40 times in the spring, has been moved to wide receiver. Tackle Nathan Cook, tight end Andy Marx and guard Jordan Miller return as starters in the line. Dave Kapping and Nathan Tenut are other returnees who could help. "I'm excited about the line since we have some players who have legitimate size and experience," said O'Grady.

Defense
The Falcons made improvements in their play last year using a different defense. More improvement is the key for 2005. In 2004 the Falcons allowed only two touchdown passes covering more than 25 yards. In 2003, the Falcons allowed 10 touchdown passes covering more than 25 yards. The defense forced 19 turnovers in 2004 compared to 12 in 2003. Returning to the line is a key to the Falcon team in tackle Aaron Retzlaff, who was named to the first All-WIAC team in 2004. He had 36 tackles including five tackles for loss. Dan Buker returns at linebacker. He had 48 tackles including a team-high seven tackles for loss. He recovered one fumble. Both corners also return. Matt Jordan had 52 tackles, two interceptions and a team high five pass break ups. Shane Hanson had 17 tackles and he broke up three passes. O'Neal Hampton also returns in the secondary after finishing third in tackles last year with 55. Jeff Cassellius returns at an end spot after playing in 10 games in 2004. He had 26 tackles including five for loss. Gregg Neumann is another returning end who also played in 10 games and finished with 15 stops. Dylan Dabrowski will play at tackle. He played in 10 games in 2004 and had 10 tackles. Mike Larson, Ryan Agrimson and Tony Dorner will help the Falcons at linebacker. Larson played in eight games while Agrimson and Dorner played in nine. Agrimson had 31 tackles, Dorner nine and Larson three. Andy Acosta and Bruce Baillargeon will man the strong safety spot. Acosta played in seven games and made five tackles while Baillargeon played in 10 games and had 27 stops. Robby Nesvig will play at free safety along with Hampton. He played in nine games and had 14 tackles. "Coach (Kevin) Bullis is in his second year as defensive coordinator and has spent a lot of time with the coaches. They all feel more comfortable. As coaches gain experience you'll see overall improvement," said O'Grady.

Special Teams
Jovin Kroll and Spasimir Bodurski both return. Kroll handling all of the punting and Bodurski did all of the place kicking in 2004. Kroll punted 45 times and averaged 32.9 yards a try. He had eight downed inside the 20. Bodurski has a strong leg and finished 6-10 in field goals with his longest covering 41 yards. He was also good on 19-20 extra point kicks. "Both players need to be a little more consistent," said O'Grady. O'Grady will have to find a long snapper and punt and kick off return men.

WIAC Race - Schedule
The Falcons play six homes games in 2005. That is a huge difference from 2004 when the team had four home games and didn't play a home game until Oct. 16. "Certainly having six home games, including the first three in a row, is exciting," said O'Grady about the friendly schedule. "But four out of seven WIAC games are on the road." The Falcons open the season with two NCAA Div. II opponents. Con.-St. Paul (Sept. 10) and Bemidji State (Sept. 17) are the first two opponents. The Falcons then host Pacific Lutheran on Sept. 24. UW-RF will host Eau Claire (Oct. 8), Platteville (Oct. 29) and La Crosse (Nov. 5) in WIAC contests at Ramer Field. O'Grady thinks that Stevens Point, Whitewater and La Crosse have the most talent returning for the season. "But I will be disappointed if we aren't in the mix. We should be right in the thick of things." Several teams lost veteran quarterbacks and O'Grady feels that replacing that player will play a role in the battle for the WIAC title.

2004 Returning Letter Winners

Go to the Falcon 2004 Statistics Page

Go to the WIAC Football Page

John O'Grady
Head Coach