Box Score

RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) - The UW – River Falls Falcons (3-3, 2-1 WIAC) could not keep up with 12^th ranked Pioneers of UW – Platteville, and lost their first WIAC conference game of the year by the score of 56-19 at Smith Stadium.

Offensively, UWRF managed just 183 yards of total offense while the Pioneers put up 467 total yards on the defense of the Falcons.
 
The defensive front for the Falcons that came into the game leading the WIAC in sacks, did not register a sack in the game for just the second time this season, and the first time since week one.

The Pioneers started the game hot and scored on their first two drives to go up 14-0 by the middle of the first quarter.

After forcing a Pioneer fumble on UW – Platteville's third drive of the day, the Falcons could still not convert a first down and went three and out for the third straight time to start the game. The Falcons punted on their first six drives.

UW – Platteville scored on their first drive of the second quarter to make the score 21-0 with 10 minutes to go in the second quarter. With the Falcons offense floundering, the Pioneers scored once more to make the score 28-0 with under five minutes to go in the second quarter.

The Falcons lone touchdown in the first half was on a punt block by Albert Itula and the Falcons special teams. Kyle Semann returned the ball 33 yards for his second touchdown of the season to make the score 28-6 after the Ryan Kusilek extra point was blocked.

Heading into halftime, the Falcons had managed just three first downs and just 83 yards of total offense.

The second half turned out to be a turnover party for both teams, the two teams combined for six turnovers and one turnover on downs.

UW – Platteville took over the ball from the Falcons after a quick three and out to start the half, and made the score 35-6 with a 75 yard touchdown pass from Tom Kelly to Dan Arnold making the score 35-6.

The Falcons continued to fight, but after three straight possessions with fumbles that included two strip sacks and a fumble on a kick return, the Falcons were faced with a 49-6 deficit and the Pioneers were able to cruise to a victory.

UWRF managed to score twice in the final period of play. The Falcons only offensive touchdown of the day was a pass from Kusilek to Evan Verhota for Verhota's second touchdown of the season. UW – River Falls wrapped up the game's scoring with a 10 yard fumble recovery by Brett Snider with 3:17 remaining in the fourth quarter.
The offense of UWRF was only able to reach the red zone once during the day, converting on their opportunity, the Pioneers finished with five scores in the five trips into the Falcons red zone.

Leading the rushing attack for the Falcons was Rance Ashley who finished with 65 yards rushing on 16 carries. Running back Brandon McCarthy came on strong late in the game and had 10 attempts for 44 yards.

Kusilek completed 16 passes in 22 attempts with just 94 yards and one touchdown. Senior wide receiver Matt Woller had six catches for 27 yards on the day. Freshman Nicholas Studer had three catches for 28 yards.

On the defensive side of the ball, the Falcons only had a total of two tackles for loss on the day in which they gave up the second most yards on the season. The defense did have a solid day when it came to stopping the Pioneers on third down, UWRF held UW – Platteville to 2-10 on third down.

Sophomore defensive back Kyle Narges had three pass break ups. Senior Phillip Martola had eight tackles on the day to lead the Falcons.

Next up on the schedule for UW – River Falls is UW – Stout (1-4, 0-2 WIAC) for the series' 102^nd installment. The Falcons lead the all-time series against UW – Stout 67-34. UW – Stout is playing UW – Eau Claire tonight at 6 PM. In the team's last meeting, the Falcons fell to the Blue Devils by a score of 34-23.