Kroll Earns Honorable Mention to Football Gazette All-America Team; Neumann Named to Third West All-Region Team

Jan. 31, 2007

Falcon punter Jovin Kroll (Sr., Poplar, Wis. Northwestern HS) has earned honorable mention to the Football Gazette All-America team.

Earlier, Kroll was named to the second West All-Region team and defensive end Gregg Neumann (Jr., Lakeville, Minn) was named to the third team.

In November Kroll was been named to the first College Sports Information Directors of America/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America college division football team. and he was a unanimous selection to the first All-WIAC team.

Kroll, 6-1, 176 pounds, led the WIAC in punting averaging 40.3 yards a kick. He had a long punt of 68 yards. Kroll was named the team's Special Teams Player of the Week five times this year and was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week and to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Oct. 24. He earned the honor after he punted eight times and averaged 46.8 yards per kick in the team's 24-20 win over UW-Stout at Ramer Field. He had three punts over 50 yards with a long of 68, which was his career long. Stout returned just one punt for 10 yards. He had one punt downed inside the Stout 20. He also did all of the holding in Falcon extra points and field goals. The Falcons were 3-3 in extra points and 1-1 in field goals. He was the team's captain for 2006 games against St. Francis, Stevens Point and Whitewater.

Neumann, 6-3, 229 pounds, was named to the first All-WIAC team. He was ninth on the team in tackles with 16 solo and 35 total. He registered 10 tackles for loss. He finished second in the WIAC with 7.5 sacks. He was named the team's defensive Player of the Week for his game against Eau Claire when he five tackles and two sacks. He recovered one fumble and had three quarterback hurries. Neumann has 49 solo and 85 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in his career.

Kroll Named to CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America Team

Nov. 30, 2006

Falcon punter Jovin Kroll (Sr., Poplar, Wis. Northwestern HS) has been named to the first College Sports Information Directors of America/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-America college division football team.

Only 25 football student-athletes from across the nation in the NCAA Div. II, Div. III and the NAIA were selected to the first team. He is the only student-athlete from the WIAC named to the first or second team.

Earlier this year he was a unanimous selection to the first All-WIAC team.

"Jovin has won a fantastic award and he has been a phenomenal student-athlete," said Falcon Coach John O'Grady. "When he first came here I thought he was going to be blown over in wind at Ramer Field. He couldn't catch the ball and he just was not a good punter. But he became a starter for us and got better and better and better every year. He's always been a great student. He is one of a few of our players who over years have won this award and I've very proud and happy for him."

Kroll joins linebacker Mike Olson (1991) and offensive lineman Brian Izdepski (1995) as Falcons who have earned the same honor.

Kroll, 6-1, 176 pounds, led the WIAC in punting averaging 40.3 yards a kick. He had a long punt of 68 yards. Kroll was named the team's Special Teams Player of the Week five times this year and was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week and to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Oct. 24. He earned the honor after he punted eight times and averaged 46.8 yards per kick in the team's 24-20 win over UW-Stout at Ramer Field. He had three punts over 50 yards with a long of 68, which was his career long. Stout returned just one punt for 10 yards. He had one punt downed inside the Stout 20. He also did all of the holding in Falcon extra points and field goals. The Falcons were 3-3 in extra points and 1-1 in field goals.

Kroll, an English education major who is working toward a minor in athletic coaching, has been involved in several campus organizations throughout his career. He has a 3.915 cumulative grade point average. He was a staff member of Prologue, the UWRF student literary publication and was a student representative in the English department's 2006 technical writing professor search and screen committee.

He has had two works published in the 2006 Wisconsin English Journal (Volume 48, Issue 1) - "There's Only One Thing Pedestrian about DeLong Middle School" and "The Bard and the Baritone on a Bus Tour." He earned the English department's Certificate of Merit for Advance Analysis in American Literature. He earned the Grace Bloom and Carl & Marion O'Connell Wurtz academic scholarships. Kroll has been named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll in 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 and has earned UWRF Dean's List honors in all eight semesters of attendance. He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.

He has been named the team's captain for 2006 games against St. Francis, Stevens Point and Whitewater. He has worked at the UWRF writing center tutor for three years. Kroll has experienced several hours of tutoring, observing and teaching in area public schools in the teacher education program.

The Academic All-America program honors male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA, a 2,000 member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

To be eligible, a student-athletes must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the programs inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.

CoSIDA Web Site

Wolff Will Play in Aztec Bowl
Nov. 17, 2006

Falcon football player Jeremy Wolff (Sr., Janesville, Minn. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton HS) has been selected and will play in the 2006 Aztec Bowl on Dec. 16 in Aguascalientes, Mexico.

Wolff will pay for the American Football Coaches Association's Div. III all-star team that will represent the United States against the Mexican National team. He is one of 46 NCAA Div. III seniors from around the nation who will be part of this year's team. Former Widener, Delaware Valley and LaSalle Head Coach Bill Manlove will coach this year's team.

Kick off is scheduled for 7 p.m. (CT) on Dec. 16 at Estadio Victoria in Aguascalientes. The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico's college football season. The game has been played 35 times since 1947 with the last eight contests featuring the United States-Mexico match up. The United States is 8-1 in the series and defeated Mexico, 53-15, in the 2005 game in Toluca.

Wolff, 6-1, 225 pounds, started all 10 games at quarterback for the Falcons in 2006 and earned honorable mention to the All-WIAC team. He rushed for 536 yards and led the team with seven rushing touchdowns. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry. He rushed for more than 100 yards in two games - he had 121 yards against Stevens Point and 142 against Platteville. Wolff had a long run of 42 yards. He completed 65-153 passes for 865 yards and four touchdowns. He had a long of 77 yards. Wolff twice passed for a season-high 124 yards in two games - against Stout and Whitewater. He was named the team's offensive Player of the Week four times. Wolff rushed for 2,120 yards and completed 110-277 passes for 11 touchdowns and 1,227 yards in his career.

Falcon defensive end Joe Green played in the 1999 Aztec Bowl in Mexico City.

The Falcons finished 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC in 2006.

Kroll, Neumann Named to First Team
Six Named to 2006 All-WIAC Football Teams

Six members of the Falcon football team have been named to 2006 All-WIAC teams.

Punter Jovin Kroll (Sr., Poplar, Wis. Northwestern HS) and defensive end Gregg Neumann (Jr., Lakeville, Minn.) were both named to the first team. Defensive back Bruce Baillargeon (Jr., Somerset, Wis.) was named to the second team. Kicker Spasimir Bodurski (Sr., Cannon Falls, Minn.), center Scott Witte (So., Cedarburg, Wis.) and quarterback Jeremy Wolff (Sr., Janesville, Minn. Janesville-Waldorf-Pemberton HS) all earned honorable mention.

Kroll, 6-1, 176 pounds, led the WIAC in punting averaging 40.1 yards per kick. He had six punts over 50 yards and his long was 68 yards against Stout. He had 17 punts downed inside the opponents' 20. He was a four-year starter and also was the special teams holder for extra points and field goals. He was nominated for the Scholar-Athlete award and earlier this month was named to the CoSIDA/ESPN The Magazine first All-District 5 Academic All-America team. Kroll was named the Falcon special teams Player of the Week five times. He was named the WIAC special teams Player of the Week, and was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Oct. 24. Kroll punted 159 times and averaged 36.6 yards per kick, and had 40 downed inside the opponents' 20 yard line, in his career.

Neumann, 6-3, 229 pounds, started all 10 games at defensive end. He was ninth on the team in tackles with 16 solo and 35 total. He registered 10 tackles for loss. He finished second in the WIAC with 7.5 sacks. He was named the team's defensive Player of the Week for his game against Eau Claire when he five tackles and two sacks. He recovered one fumble and had three quarterback hurries. Neumann has 49 solo and 85 total tackles including 17 tackles for loss and 11 sacks in his career.

Baillargeon, 6-0, 180 pounds, started all 10 games for the Falcon defense. He registered 46 solo and 84 total tackles and finished second on the team. He had 3.5 tackles for loss, forced four fumbles, recovered two fumbles, had two interceptions, two pass break ups, one blocked kick and one hurry. Four times he had 10 or more tackles in a game. He made 13 tackles in the team's 20-17 win over Stevens Point. He was named the team's defensive Player of the Week three times - against Stevens Point, La Crosse and Pacific Lutheran. He intercepted two passes at Pacific Lutheran. He was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week after helping the Falcons to the win over Stevens Point. He has made 71 solo and 138 total tackles in his three-year career.

Witte, 6-4, 330 pounds, started all 10 games for the Falcons at center. He started for half of the Falcon games in the 2005 season also.

Bodurski, 5-11, 215 pounds, handled all the Falcon kick off and place kicking duties. He made 9-15 field goals and had a long of 45-yards against La Crosse. He also was good on a 42-yard field goal against Pacific Lutheran. He was good on seven of his last eight field goal attempts. He was also good on 12-13 extra points. He finished second on the team in scoring with 39 points. He was named the WIAC special teams Player of the Week when he made two extra points and kicked two field goals in the team's 20-17 win over Stevens Point. His career long field goal was 47-yards. He was good on 22-39 field goals and 36-40 extra points in his career. He kicked a school record 47-yard field goal against Platteville in 2005.

Wolff, 6-1, 225 pounds, started all 10 games at quarterback. He rushed for 536 yards and led the team with seven rushing touchdowns. He averaged 4.7 yards per carry. He rushed for more than 100 yards in two games - he had 121 yards against Stevens Point and 142 against Platteville. Wolff had a long run of 42 yards. He completed 65-153 passes for 865 yards and four touchdowns. He had a long of 77 yards. Wolff twice passed for a season-high 124 yards in two games - against Stout and Whitewater. He was named the team's offensive Player of the Week four times. Wolff rushed for 2,120 yards and completed 110-277 passes for 11 touchdowns and 1,227 yards in his career.

The Falcons finished 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC in 2006.

Football statistics page

Falcons End Season With Loss To Whitewater
Nov. 11, 2006

The Falcon football team ended its season with a 48-16 loss to UW-Whitewater Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field.

Midway through the first quarter the Warhawks struck first going 60 yards in nine plays which was capped off by a 39-yard Jeff Schebler field goal to make the score 3-0 Whitewater.

RF responded two drives later going 66 yards and Josh Grover capped the drive off with a 23-yard touchdown catch from Jeremy Wolff. The drive ate up 3:45 off the game clock.

Much like they have all season long, the Warhawks answered back quickly with a three play 60-yard drive, which was capped off by a Justin Jacobs to Matt Gifford touchdown pass from 14 yards out to make the score 10-7 Whitewater after the first quarter.

On the third play of the second quarter, Wolff went back to pass and it was picked off by Tristan Borzick at the W 46-yard line and returned 26 yards to the RF 28-yard line. The Warhawks capitalized three plays later on a 27-yard Neil Mrkvicka touchdown catch from Jacobs to make the score 17-7.

After another RF three and out UWW set up shop at is own 12-yard line. Jacobs rumbled 34 yards out to the W 46-yard line. Six plays later Jacobs finished off what he started scoring on a 2-yard plunge to make the score 24-7. The drive covered 88 yards and took 3:06 off the game clock.

After an RF turnover on downs the Warhawks started a drive at their own 43-yard line. UWW marched right down the field and scored seven plays later on Jacob Miller touchdown run from 1-yard out.

After another RF three and out Jovin Kroll punted the ball 41 yards and Mrkicka returned it nine yards, but fumbled the ball and Robby Nesvig returned it five yards down to the Whitewater 30. Aided on a 16-yard personal foul and the Falcons set up shop at the Warhawk 14. The Falcons could not move the ball so with only two seconds left in the half they settled for a 32-yard Spasimir Bodurski field goal to make the score 31-10 at recess.

To open up the second half UWW pounded the ball and drove 69 yards in 15 plays, which was capped off by a Schebler field goal from 29-yards out. The drive took 4:31.

After a Beau DeBruin fumble at the Falcon 40 yard line the Warhawks scored again. It took them only three plays to do so and Gifford caught his second touchdown pass of the game from Jacobs from 3-yards out to make the score 41-10 after the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter the Falcons drove an impressive 97 yards in 12 plays, which was capped off by a 16-yard Grover pass from Wolff. They failed the two-point conversion and the score was 41-16 UWW.

UWW continued to pour it on going 70 yards in eight plays, which was capped off by a Derek Underwood 1-yard burst to make the score 48-16. That ended the scoring.

The Falcons were led by DeBruin who ran for 59 yards on 16 carries. Wolff ran for 43 yards and threw for 124 yards on 13-29. He threw two touchdowns and two picks. Grover caught two touchdown passes and seven passes for 73 yards. On defense, the Falcons were led by Bruce Baillargeon and Ben Arata who both had nine total tackles. Shane Hanson had four total tackles and an interception.

UWW was led by Brady Pittz who ran for 146 yards on 15 carries. Underwood ran for 87 and one touchdown on 14 carries. Jacobs was 15-31 for 222 yards and three touchdowns in the air.

RF ends its season with a record of 3-7 overall and 2-5 in the WIAC. UWW improved to 10-0 and 7-0 in the WIAC.

Kroll Named to First CoSIDA District 5 Team

Nov. 9, 2006

Falcon punter Jovin Kroll (Sr., Poplar, Wis. Northwestern HS) has been named to the first College Sports Information Directors of America/ESPN The Magazine Academic All-District 5 football team.

Kroll will now be considered for the national CoSIDA team. The country is divided into eight district and all district first team selections are under consideration for the national team.

Kroll, 6-1, 176 pounds, currently leads the WIAC in punting averaging 40.3 yards a kick. He has had a long punt of 68 yards. Kroll has been named the team's Special Teams Player of the Week four times this year and was named the WIAC Special Teams Player of the Week and to the D3football.com Team of the Week on Oct. 24. He earned the honor after he punted eight times and averaged 46.8 yards per kick in the team's 24-20 win over UW-Stout at Ramer Field. He had three punts over 50 yards with a long of 68, which was his career long. Stout returned just one punt for 10 yards. He had one punt downed inside the Stout 20. He also did all of the holding in Falcon extra points and field goals. The Falcons were 3-3 in extra points and 1-1 in field goals.

Kroll, an English education major who is working toward a minor in athletic coaching, has been involved in several campus organizations throughout his career. He has a 3.915 cumulative grade point average. He was a staff member of Prologue, the UWRF student literary publication and was a student representative in the English department's 2006 technical writing professor search and screen committee.

He has had two works published in the 2006 Wisconsin English Journal (Volume 48, Issue 1) - "There's Only One Thing Pedestrian about DeLong Middle School" and "The Bard and the Baritone on a Bus Tour." He earned the English department's Certificate of Merit for Advance Analysis in American Literature. He earned the Grace Bloom and Carl & Marion O'Connell Wurtz academic scholarships. Kroll has been named to the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll in 2002-03, 2003-04, 2004-05 and 2005-06 and has earned UWRF Dean's List honors in all eight semesters of attendance. He is a member of the National Council of Teachers of English and a member of Sigma Tau Delta, the International English Honor Society.

He has been named the team's captain for 2006 games against St. Francis, Stevens Point and Whitewater. He has worked at the UWRF writing center tutor for three years. Kroll has experienced several hours of tutoring, observing and teaching in area public schools in the teacher education program.

The Academic All-America program honors male and female student-athletes annually who have succeeded at the highest level on the playing field and in the classroom. Individuals are selected through voting by CoSIDA, a 2,000 member organization consisting of sports public relations professionals for colleges and universities in the United States and Canada.

To be eligible, a student-athletes must be a varsity starter or key reserve, maintain a cumulative grade point average of 3.20 on a scale of 4.00, have reached sophomore athletic and academic standings at his/her current institution and be nominated by his/her sports information director. Since the programs inception in 1952, CoSIDA has bestowed Academic All-America honors on more than 14,000 student-athletes in Divisions I, II, III and NAIA covering all NCAA championship sports.

Falcons Fall Big At UWL
Nov. 4, 2006

The Falcon football team fell behind 28-0 and lost at UW-La Crosse, 41-17, Saturday afternoon at Memorial Field.

The Eagles opened up with the first points of the game on an impressive 80-yard 12 play drive which was capped by by a Corey Geldernick two-yard touchdown. The drive ate up 4:04 off the clock.

Later in the first quarter, UWL struck again this time putting together a 34-yard three play drive which was capped off by another Geldernick touchdown run this time from nine yards out to make the score 14-0.

The Eagles ended the first quarter in dominating fashion putting together another touchdown drive. The Eagles scored through the air on a 12-yard John Schumann laser to Ted Everson to make the score 21-0 after the first quarter. The drive covered 47 yards and it took six plays.

UWL got the ball back early in the second quarter and they wasted little time getting on the board as they scored two plays later on a 66-yard Dan Hall dash that made the score 28-0. The drive took only two plays and it covered 79 yards.

The Falcons finally got on the board with 4:31 left in the half on a three-yard fourth-and-goal Beau DeBruin touchdown run. The drive covered four yards and it took four plays. The score was set up when Falcon linebacker Dan Buker recovered a UWL fumble at the La Crosse four.

The Eagles answered right back on their next possession going an impressive 83 yards in 12 plays which was capped off by a Dylan Rude 23-yard field goal with only 1:01 left in the half. The drive took 3:20 off the clock. The score at recess was 31-7 Eagles.

The Eagles took the opening possession of the second half and raced down the field going 80 yards in 12 plays which was capped by a Schumann three-yard touchdown run to make the score 38-7.

The Falcons got on the board midway through the third quarter on a 45-yard Spasimir Bodurski field goal. The drive covered five yards and it took four plays. The field goal was set up when Bruce Baillargeon recovered a La Crosse fumble at the UWL 33.

UWL ended the third quarter in style with another scoring drive. They went 41 yards in 10 plays and Rude capped the drive off again with another field goal, this time from 22 yards out, to make the score 41-10 going into the fourth quarter.

RF was the only team to score in the fourth quarter on a 5-yard Jeremy Wolff touchdown. It was an impressive 80-yard 10 play drive and it ate up 4:36 off the clock. That ended the scoring

The Falcons were led by Wolff and DeBruin as they ran for 59 and 58 yards each and one touchdown apiece. Wolff was 6-10 passing for 62 yards. On defense the Falcons were led once again by Andy Kolstad who had nine solo and 12 total tackles. Baillargeon had nine and Jamie Bisch chipped in with seven total tackles. Buker added five total tackles and one sack.

UWL was led by Geldernick who had 18 carries for 136 yards and two touchdowns. Hall added 95 yards and a score. Schumann was 11-19 in the air for 157 yards and one score.

RF, now 3-6 overall and 2-4 in the WIAC, ends its season on Saturday against conference leader UW-Whitewater at Ramer Field. It is also Parents' Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Falcons Fall At Platteville
Oct.28, 2006

The Falcon football team fell to UW-Platteville 28-10 Saturday afternoon at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

Midway through the first quarter RF turned the ball over on a Jeremy Wolff interception that set up UWP's first points of the game. Hans Christiansen returned the pick 12 yards to the UWP 22-yard line. Seven plays later Mike Genslinger scored from one-yard out to make the score 7-0 UWP. The drive went 78 yards and ate 2:01 off the clock.

Early in the second quarter, RF put together an impressive 16 play 75-yard drive which was capped off by a 27-yard Spasimir Bodurksi field goal to make the score 7-3. The drive took 7:37 off the clock.

UWP answered right back later in the quarter with an equally impressive drive that went 66 yards in 13 plays which was capped off by another Genslinger one-yard touchdown. The drive took 4:52 off the clock.

RF got on the board just before half on a Wolff three-yard touchdown run to make the score 14-10 at recess. The drive went 73 yards in 13 plays and took 3:55.

Genslinger dominated the second half with two touchdown runs. The first came with 6:18 left in the game from eight-yards out. The drive covered 89 yards in eight plays and ate up 3:34.

After another Wolff interception the Pioneers wasted little time in scoring. Genslinger burst up the middle for an impressive 69-yard touchdown run to make the score 28-10 UWP. That ended the scoring.

RF could not muster up any big plays or long drives in the second half as they failed to find paydirt.

The Falcons were led by Wolff who ran for 142 yards and one score. He was 5-14 passing for 66 yards and three interceptions. Beau DeBruin ran for 125 yards on 36 carries.

The Pioneers were led by Genslinger who ran for 286 yards on 26 carries and scored four touchdowns. Brent Nelson threw for 105 yards on 9-20 throwing. He also had two interceptions.

On defense the Falcons were led by Nathan Renk who had nine solo and 10 total tackles. Andy Kolstad had seven tackles and Ben Arata added five tackles and one interception. Shane Hanson also had an interception.

RF, now 3-5 overall and 2-3 in the WIAC, continues its season on Saturday at UW-La Crosse. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Kroll Named to D3football.com Team of the Week

Oct. 25, 2006

Falcon punter Jovin Kroll (Sr., Poplar, Wis. Northwestern HS) picked up another honor today when he was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week.

Earlier in the week he was named the WIAC's special teams Player of the Week.

Kroll played an important role and helped the football team to a 24-20 come-from-behind win over UW-Stout Saturday at Ramer Field.

The 6-1, 176 punted eight times and averaged 46.8 yards per kick. He had three punts over 50 yards with a long of 68, which was his career long. Stout returned just one punt for 10 yards. He had one punt downed inside the Stout 20. He also did all of the holding in Falcon extra points and field goals. The Falcons were 3-3 in extra points and 1-1 in field goals. This year Kroll has punted 41 times and averages 40.9 yards per kick. He has had 10 punts downed inside the opponent's 20.

The Falcons, 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC, play at UW-Platteville on Saturday. Action starts at 1 p.m.

Kroll Named WIAC Player of the Week

Oct. 24, 2006

Falcon punter Jovin Kroll (Sr., Poplar, Wis. Northwestern HS) played an important role and helped the football team to a 24-20 come-from-behind win over UW-Stout Saturday at Ramer Field and he has been named the WIAC special teams Player of the Week according to league Sports Information Director Matt Stanek.

The 6-1, 176 punted eight times and averaged 46.8 yards per kick. He had three punts over 50 yards with a long of 68, which was his career long. Stout returned just one punt for 10 yards. He had one punt downed inside the Stout 20. He also did all of the holding in Falcon extra points and field goals. The Falcons were 3-3 in extra points and 1-1 in field goals. This year Kroll has punted 41 times and averages 40.9 yards per kick. He has had 10 punts downed inside the opponent's 20.

The Falcons, 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC, play at UW-Platteville on Saturday. Action starts at 1 p.m.

Falcons Pick Up Thrilling Victory Over Stout
Oct.21, 2006

The Falcon football team picked up a dramatic 24-20 victory over Stout Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field.

Stout opened the game up quickly on the opening drive of the game going 80 yards in five plays, which was capped off by a 24-yard Tanner Kattre run to make the score 7-0 Stout.

In the second quarter, the Blue Devils took over at their own 33-yard and drove the ball all the way down to the Falcon eight-yard line, but the drive stalled and Brandon Raciborski kicked a 25-yard field goal to give UWS a 10-0 lead with 9:34 left in the first half.

RF finally got on the board on their next possession going 80 yards in nine plays, which was capped off by a 3-yard Beau DeBruin touchdown run to make the score 10-7. The key play of the drive was a 28-yard Jeremy Wolff to Josh Grover pass on a second-and-five play from the UWRF 25.

After a 28-yard Jovin Kroll punt, the Blue Devils set up shop at the RF 43-yard line with only 1:17 left in the half. They moved the ball quickly and got all the way down to the Falcon 25-yard line with only 31 seconds to play. The drive stalled and Raciborski connected on a 42-yard field goal to make the score 13-7 Stout at recess.

Midway through the third quarter the Blue Devils forced a Nathan Anderson fumble at the Falcon 26-yard line. Stout scored on the next play going through the air this time with a 26-yard Kattre to Jesse Wendt pass to take a commanding 20-7 lead with 3:54 to play in the third quarter.

To begin the fourth quarter the Falcons set up shop at their own 15-yard line. After a heavy dose of Anderson the Falcons moved the ball all the way down to the Stout one-yard line. After failing three times to punch it in the end zone the Falcons decided to go for it on fourth down and Wolff came through with a 1-yard quarterback sneak for the touchdown to make the score 20-14 Stout.

Later in the fourth quarter, with only 4:08 left in the game, Stout lined up to punt and the Falcon special teams came up big with a Bruce Baillargeon blocked punt. The punt rolled out of bounds at the Stout two and the Falcons scored one play later with a two-yard Wolff plunge to make the score 21-20.

On the ensuing kickoff Mike Mueller forced a Stout fumble that Ben Arata recovered at the Stout 18 with 3:41 to play. UWRF moved the ball five yards in four plays and Spasimir Bodurski kicked a 35-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 24-20 lead with 2:58 to play. The field goal forced Stout to have to move the ball all the way for a touchdown.

Stout's last chance came with just under three minutes left in the game. They moved the ball all the way down to the Falcon 43-yard line, but came up short turning it over on downs. The Falcons downed the ball and picked up a huge 24-20 comeback win.

Anderson led the Falcon ground game with 106 yards on 29 carries. Wolff threw for 124 yards and ran for 18. He was 7-13. Grover added 108 yards on five catches. Stout was led by Kattre who threw for 132 yards and one touchdown. He finished 12-21. Wendt caught six passes for 86 yards and one touchdown. Ryan Englebert led UWS with 16 carries for 80 yards.

On defense the Falcons were led by Andy Kolstad who had 12 total tackles. Arata added nine and Bruce Baillargeon and Dan Buker each chipped in with eight each.

The win gives Falcon coach John O'Grady his 95th of his career. The 95 wins put him seventh in victories in the WIAC. He is third among active WIAC coaches in wins.

RF, now 3-4 overall and 2-2 in the WIAC, continues its season on Saturday when they travel to UW-Platteville. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Game stats

Falcon football player Bruce Baillargeon (Jr., Somerset, Wis.) helped lead the Falcons to a 20-17 win over UW-Stevens Point on Saturday and has been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week.

The 6-0, 180 pound defensive back had nine solo and 13 total tackles to lead the Falcons. He broke up a pass, forced a fumble and recovered a fumble. With the Falcons winning 20-10 in the fourth quarter, Baillargeon forced a UWSP running back to fumble and the defensive back jumped on the loose ball to stop a Pointer scoring drive. Baillargeon leads the team in tackles with 26 solo and 53 total stops.

The Falcons, 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the WIAC, host UW-Stout on Saturday at 1 p.m., at Ramer Field.

Bodurski Named WIAC Player of the Week

Oct. 17, 2006

Falcon kicker Spasimir Bodurski (Sr., Cannon Falls, Minn. Randolph HS) helped the football team to a 20-17 win over UW-Stevens Point last weekend and he has been named the WIAC special teams Player of the Week according to league Sports Information Director Matt Stanek.

Bodurski was perfect on all four of his kicks in the team's win Saturday at Ramer Field. Every point proved to be important in the three-point UWRF victory. The 5-11, 215 pounder was good on two extra point attempts and kicked two field goals. His first came with 3:46 to play in the third quarter and was from 25-yards. His second, which proved to be the winning points, came with 7:37 to go in the game and was good from 30-yards. He also handled all of the Falcon kick off duties. UWSP returned four kick offs for a 17.8 average.

The Falcons, 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the WIAC, host UW-Stout on Saturday at Ramer Field. Action starts at 1 p.m.

Falcons Top Stevens Point, 20-17
Oct.14, 2006

The Falcon football team made enough big plays on offense and the defense came up big with some big turnovers in a 20-17 victory over Stevens Point Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field.

In the first quarter neither team could sustain any long drives. The Pointers punted two times and the Falcons once.

Jeremy Wolff gave the Falcons the lead when he scored on the first play of the second quarter on a 4-yard run. It capped off an impressive 14 play, 75-yard drive that took seven minutes off the clock. Add the Spasimir Bodurksi extra point and that made the score 7-0. The touchdown was the first for the Falcons offense in over two games.

After a SP punt, the Falcon offense used the momentum from its last drive when Wolff hooked up with Josh Grover for a 36-yard touchdown pass to make the score 14-0. The drive covered 33 yards in three plays.

SP bounced right back on its next possession going 77 yards in eight plays which was capped off by a 1-yard Cody Childs touchdown run to make the score 14-7.

After a stalled Falcon drive, the Pointers took over at their six-yard line with only 2:11 remaining in the half. They went 88 yards in 12 plays which was capped off by a Ryan Graboski 25-yard field goal as time expired. The score at recess was 14-10 RF.

Josh Grover opened the second half off with a very impressive 48-yard kickoff return to the SP 44-yard line. Wolff completed a 27-yard pass to Jake Jenson down to the SP 17-yard line. Bodurksi capped the drive with another field goal, this time from 25 yards out, to make the score 17-10 RF.

The Falcon special teams came up big in the third quarter with a fumble recovery on a punt return by the Pointers. Ben Arata recovered the fumble and the Falcons took over at the SP nine. The Pointer defense stiffened and Bodurski kicked another field goal, this time from 30 yards out, to make the score 20-10 after the third quarter.

Midway through the fourth quarter the Pointers got back in the game a with crucial 80-yard 10 play drive which was capped off by a Brett Borchart 10-yard touchdown run to pull SP within three points at 20-17. UWSP used a no huddle offense throughout the drive.

The Falcon defense stepped up big all game and on the Pointers last possession they turned the ball over on downs and the Falcons ran the clock out to pick up their first WIAC win of the season.

For the game, Wolff ran for 121 yards and one touchdown. Throwing the ball he had his best game of the year going 8-16 for 113 yards and one touchdown. Beau DeBruin ran 23 times for 80 yards. Jenson caught four passes for 60 yards. Grover caught two passes for 46 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, the Falcons were led by Bruce Baillargeon who had nine solo and 13 total tackles. Jamie Bisch added eight tackles and Robby Nesvig added seven stops. Nathan Renk added one sack and Gregg Neumann and Ryan Agrimson added half a sack each.

The Pointers were led by Borchart who was 24-40 for 292 yards. Brad Kalsow led the team with eight catches for 93 yards. The Falcons limited Childs to just 44 rushing yards. He was averaging 116 rushing yards entering the contest.

RF, now 2-4 overall and 1-2 in the WIAC, continues its season on Saturday when they host UW-Stout at Ramer Field. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Game stats - Game Photos

Football Game to Air on FSN North Wisconsin on Thursday

Oct. 12, 2006

The Falcon football game against UW-Eau Claire played on Saturday, Oct. 7 in Eau Claire, is scheduled to be broadcast on Thursday, Oct. 12 at 6:30 p.m. on FSN North Wisconsin.

The Falcons lost to UW-Eau Claire, 23-3, at Carson Park. UWEC jumped out to a 13-3 halftime lead and went on to the win.

The Falcons, now 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the WIAC, host Stevens Point at 2 p.m. on Saturday at Ramer Field.

WIAC Site

Falcons Fall At UWEC, 23-3
Oct.7, 2006

The Falcon football team could not muster up enough big plays and the Blugolds capitalized on offense, en-route to a 23-3 victory Saturday afternoon at Carson Park.

In the first quarter the Falcons could not move the ball. Their longest drive of the first quarter was five plays for 17 yards. EC put together an 11 play 64 yard drive that ate up 5:26 off the clock, which was capped off by a Craig Kolb 41-yard field goal. The score after the first quarter was 3-0 UWEC.

After another RF punt, the Blugolds went to work right away on offense to begin the second quarter. UWEC went 65 yards in 10 plays which was capped off by another Kolb field goal this time from 27 yards out to make the score 6-0.

On RF's next possession they finally made some noise going 59 yards in 12 plays, which was capped off by a 33-yard Spasimir Bodurksi field goal to make the score 6-3 UWEC with only 1:20 left in the half.

UWEC big play ability on offense showed on its next drive. With only about one minute left in the half they went 80 yards in four plays, which was capped off by a 38-yard Kyle Paulson to Chris Hull touchdown pass. The score at recess was 13-3 UWEC.

In the third quarter, UWEC used the momentum they got at the end of the first half and brought it to the second. After a Falcon turnover at their own 27-yard line the Blugolds drove three yards on four plays which was capped off by a another Kolb field goal this time from 41 yards out to make the score 16-3. After an RF interception, UWEC put the icing on the cake on their next possession with a one play Paulson to Evensen hookup for a touchdown to make the score 23-3. That ended the scoring.

RF was led by Nathan Anderson's 83 yards on 25 attempts. Jeremy Wolff threw 13 times, completing six of those for 76 yards. Connor Graves led the team with three catches for 30 yards. On defense the Falcons were led once again by Bruce Baillargeon who had five solo and 10 total tackles. Gregg Neumann chipped in with two sacks and Andy Kolstad added an interception.

The story of the game was Paulson who threw for 251 yards and two touchdowns. Hull and Evensen both had over 100 yards receiving and combined for 206 yards and two touchdowns. On the ground UWEC was led Eddy Kaiser who ran for 65 yards on 16 carries.

RF, now 1-4 overall and 0-2 in the WIAC, continues its season on Saturday when they host UW-Stevens Point at Ramer Field. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.

Falcons Held Scoreless by Titans, 24-0
Sept. 30, 2006

The Falcon football team fell short of scoring on multiple possesions and was not able to stick with a strong Oshkosh offense as the Titans took a 24-0 win at Ramer Field Saturday night.

The first quarter made clear what the end result of the game would be. Both teams fizzled out on their first possession but Oshkosh capitalized on their second. Following a 2-yard punt return by the Titans' Steve Stoltz to the River Falls 45, UWO went on a mission to find paydirt. The anticipation did not last long thanks to Titan running back Andy Moriarty's 34-yard rumble to the RF 11. Moriarty would finish what he started three plays later on a 3-yard run for the game's first score.

The Falcons were forced to turn to the passing game due to minimal gain on the ground and proved to be somewhat successful. RF quarterback Jeremy Wolff locked in on reciever Josh Grover for much of the game. On the Falcons third possession on the game, Grover made his biggest impact with a 47-yard reception to bring RF to the Titan 47.

The drive continued into the second quarter, eventually ending in a Wolff toss up to Grover that was intercepted in the end zone by UWO's Ryan Radtke. Grover held the most impressive Falcon stat line of the night as he hauled in five receptions for 113 yards. Only two Falcon receivers caught passes, the other being Jake Jenson who caught a seven yard dump off from Wolff in the second quarter to pick up a first down.

UWO would increase their lead with 9:53 remaining in the second quarter to 10 following a Lucas Raschke 36-yard field goal. The Titan field goal was their lone of the game as Raschke went 1-2 on the night, missing a 43-yard attempt in the fourth quarter.

Falcon running back Nathan Anderson was RF's only force on the ground as he closed out the half with three consecutive runs. Anderson rumbled to 101 yards in the game on 31 carries. It was his 13th 100+ yard rushing game of his career.

The second half did not prove to be any better for the Falcons. Behind by 17 following a UWO 57-yard touchdown reception by Steve Stoltz coming with 4:56 remaining in the third, RF was forced to rely on Wolff's passing arm. Wolff finished 6-20 passing for 120 yards. The Titan defense forced Wolff out of the pocket for much of the game and forced the senior quarterback to make plays on his feet. UWO kept Wolff on a leash and held him to only 18 yards on seven scampers. Wolff looked for Grover most the night and was unsuccessful on numerous attempts to get receiver David Ubbelohde the ball.

RF trailed by 17 going into the fourth and the Titan offense shattered any hopes of a Falcon comeback. RF was led in tackles by Ryan Agrimson, who racked up 11 in the game, seven being solo. Agrimson also knotted a sack; one of two the Falcons had; the other being split between Gregg Neumann and Scott Kane.

The Titans added an insurance score with 12:55 remaining. The UWO touchdown came on a Moriarty 1-yard stumble to stamp a 57-yard 10-play drive. The Falcons would get two more possessions the rest of the game and were forced to punt each time. UWO held the ball last and ran out the last 3:52 of the game.

The Falcons 24-0 loss was their first scoreless game since 1996 when they lost to UW-La Crosse in the NCAA Div. III playoffs, 44-0.

RF, now 1-3 overall and 0-1 in the WIAC, continues its season on Saturday when they visit conference foe Eau Claire. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

Game Stats

Falcons Fall Big At St. Francis, 63-8
Sept. 23, 2006

The Falcons could not sustain any long drives and St. Francis handled RF's defensive pressure all afternoon in a 63-8 win Saturday afternoon at Bishop John M'Darcy Stadium.

The Falcons kept it close in the first quarter forcing an Eric Hooks interception on St. Francis' first possession. RF took over at its 42 yard line and drove the ball 43 yards in 11 plays. The drive stalled at the 15-yard line and Spasimir Bodurski missed a 32-yard field goal attempt.

In the second quarter, USF started out quickly scoring on the first play with a Hooks to Ryan Kauchak pass for 12 yards. On their next possession the Cougers went 54 yards in six plays which was capped off by a Hooks to Brian Schultz pass for 10 yards to make the score 14-0. The Cougers ended the half strong scoring another touchdown with only 32 seconds left. This time Hooks connected with Zach Rainey for 11 yards to make the score 21-0 at recess.

In the third quarter the Cougers picked up where they left off scoring on their second possession of the half on a Doug Wasylk run that covered 49 yards. After a Jovin Kroll 39-yard punt, the Cougers scored two plays later on a Jeff Wedding 50-yard pass to Bo Thompson. After another stalled RF drive Kroll's punt was blocked and returned to the Falcon nine-yard line. On the very next play Hooks ran nine yards for another touchdown to make the score 42-0. On RF's next drive Jeremy Wolff went back to pass and was sacked for a 12-yard loss and Joe Piwoszkin picked up the Wolff fumble and ran it back 22 yards for a Couger touchdown.

In the fourth quarter RF was on the 44-yard line when Wolff was sacked again and fumbled the ball, which was picked up by Anthony Harbor. USF cashed in five plays later on Marcus Rush's six-yard burst. RF finally got on the board on its next drive going 75 yards in 16 plays, which was capped off by a Beau DeBruin 10-yard run. The time of possession was 8:33. Wolff added the two-point conversion on the ground. St Francis answered right back with a five-play 69-yard drive, which was capped off by a Taylor Vieck 44-yard run.

RF was led by Nathan Anderson who ran for 118 yards on 35 attempts. DeBruin ran for 40 yards and one touchdown. Wolff passed for 29 yards on 4-12 throwing. The Falcon defense was led by Andy Kolstad and Bruce Baillargeon who each had eight tackles. Shane Hanson added two interceptions and Kolstad had one. Tyler Hasse had one sack.

USF was led by Hooks who threw for 165 yards and three touchdowns. He also ran for one and had 66 rushing yards. Wasylk added 112 rushing yards and one touchdown on nine carries. Thompson led the Cougers with three catches for 92 yards and one touchdown.

RF (1-2) next hosts UW-Oshkosh at Ramer Field on Saturday at 7 p.m. to open up WIAC play. It will be the first home game of the season for the Falcons.

Game Stats

Baillargeon Named WIAC Defensive Player of the Week

Sept. 6, 2006

Defensvive back Bruce Baillargeon (Jr., Somerset, Wis.) helped the Falcons to a 24-17 win at Pacific Lutheran on Saturday and has been named the WIAC defensive Player of the Week, according to league Sports Information Director, Matt Stanek.

Baillargeon played a key role for the Falcon defense in the team's win. The 6-0, 180 pounder intercepted two passes, broke up a pass, forced a fumble and led the team with nine tackles. He had two solo and seven assists. He was credited with an assist on a tackle for a loss of one yard. He helped lead a Falcon defense that allowed PLU just 200 total yards. UW-RF held PLU to minus-three yards rushing, a Falcon modern day record. His first interception came on PLU's first drive of the second half with the Lutes holding a 10-0 lead. On a second-and-15 play, he intercepted the pass and returned it 29 yards to the PLU 20. The Falcons scored on the first play from scrimmage to make it a 10-7 game. On PLU's next possession, the Lutes drove into UW-RF territory before Baillargeon intercepted another pass and this time he returned it four yards. On UW-RF's second play from scrimmage after the interception, the Falcons scored again to take a 14-10 lead. His forced fumble came on a running play in PLU's territory and was recovered by the Falcons at the PLU 22. The drive stalled and UW-RF kicked a 42-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 24-10 lead.

The Falcons, now 1-1 overall, will play at St. Francis on Saturday with kickoff set for noon (ET).

Falcons Get 24-17 Win at Pacific Lutheran
Sept. 16, 2006

The Falcons offense scored all of its points in the third quarter and the UW-RF defense forced six turnovers as the visiting Falcons defeated Pacific Lutheran, 24-17, in a non-conference game played Saturday at Sparks Stadium.

The two teams combining to give the ball away 11 times. The Falcon defense picked off three PLU passes and recovered three fumbles. The Falcons offense lost three fumbles and threw two interceptions.

UW-River Falls turned the ball over on each of its first three possessions and the Lutes scored after two of them.

Taking the ball on the Falcons’ 30-yard line following a fumble recovery, the Lutes scored in two plays. Junior quarterback Brett Gordon connected with Craig Chiado on a 21-yard scoring play. It was the first collegiate pass thrown by Gordon. Later in the quarter and following a Brent Frank interception, the Lutes added three points in Pat Burke’s 25-yard field goal.

That margin held into the third quarter when a pair of Bruce Baillargeon interceptions on consecutive PLU possessions turned the momentum to the Falcons.

Baillargeon’s first interception and 29-yard return gave the Falcons the ball at PLU 20-yard line, and on the next play UW-RF quarterback Jeremy Wolff broke through a tackle and went the distance to cut the Falcons deficit to 10-7. Following the second interception, UW-RF took over at its own 24-yard line. After a one-yard loss, Wolff hit Josh Grover behind the PLU secondary for a 77-yard scoring play. The extra point kick by Spasimir Bodurski gave the Falcons a 14-10 lead.

UW-RF stretched the advantage to 21-10 after Gordon was sacked and fumbled. Nathan Renk recovered at the PLU 8-yard line for the Falcons, who scored three plays later on Wolff’s one-yard scoring run. On the ensuing kickoff, PLU ran some trickery on the return when Chase Reed threw across the field to Brent Frank, who raced down the left sideline for an apparent score. The play was called back, however, when it was ruled the Reed’s throw was an illegal forward pass.

With 1:41 left in the third period and following PLU’s fourth turnover - this a fumble in as many possessions - Bodurski kicked a 42-yard field goal to give the Falcons a 24-10 lead.

The Lutes got back into the game, driving 64 yards on eight plays and scoring early in the fourth period on Gordon’s 25-yard pass to Reed. In their final four possessions, however, the Lutes punted twice, threw an interception and turned the ball over on downs.

Neither team did much on offense, a sharp contrast to last season when the two teams combined for 1,074 total yards in the Falcons 45-14 win. UW-RF managed 242 yards on 59 plays, including 150 rushing yards. Pacific Lutheran, meanwhile, compiled 200 total yards. The Falcon defense limited PLU to minus-three yards rushing.

Baillargeon was all over the field for the Falcons with two interceptions, a forced fumble and nine tackles. Chad Blau paced the PLU
defenders with 10 tackles.

PLU SID Nick Dawson Story