RIVER FALLS, Wis. (uwrfsports.com) – The UW-River Falls football team (3-2, 1-1 WIAC) played UW-Platteville tough for three quarters, but the Pioneers (5-0, 2-0 WIAC) took control of the game in the 4
th to hand the Falcons a tough 24-14 loss.
THE RUNDOWN
Final Score: UW-Platteville 24, UW-River Falls 14
Location: River Falls, Wis.
Records: UW-River Falls 3-2 (1-1 WIAC), UW-Platteville 5-0 (2-0 WIAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED AGAINST UW-PLATTEVILLE
- Down 14-0 early in the 3rd quarter the UWRF-Falcons offense went to work. Donjae Lyons took the kick-off, and after it appeared he had been brought down burst out to his left for a 43 yard return to the Platteville 44.
- After that Travon Hearns completed a passes to Trenton Monson for 12 yards. Brandon McCarthy ripped off an 18-yard run. Then Hearns found Patrick O'Leary in the back of the end zone to get the Falcons on the board.
- The teams traded possessions a few times, and the Falcons then went on a 10 play, 55 yard march down the field. The drive ended with Travon Hearns taking it himself into the end zone. That tied game at 14 going into the 4th quarter.
- Michael Diggins led the Falcon rushing attack with 97 yards on 25 carries.
- The Falcons rushed for 143 yards as a team for the game.
- Travon Hearns went 12-24 for 110 yards through the air, with a TD and an Int.
- Trenton Monson was the leading receiver for the Falcons with 5 catches for 69 yards.
- Defensively the Falcons were led by Alex Wood and Max Praschak with 9 tackles each. Alex Wood also had an Interception.
THE OPPOSITION
- Sean Studer led the UW-Platteville rushing attack gaining 96 yards on 13 carries.
- Early in the 3rd quarter, on just their third play of the half, Studer took the hand off to the right, and burst through for a 64 yard touchdown run that gave the Pioneers a 14-0 lead.
- Wyatt Thompson chipped in 48 yards on 10 carries.
- Jack Eddy completed 20-38 passes for 262 yards, with a TD and an Interception.
- Mark Johnson caught 10 passes for 152 yards.
- Wyatt Thompson caught the 4th quarter TD pass that put the Pioneers up 24-14.
- Chandler Crary and Dakota Tomkins both led the defense with 9 tackles.
- Luke Johnson had the Pioneers interception late in the 4th quarter.
IN-DEPTH LOOK
- The UW-Platteville Pioneers are the first team to rush for over 100 yards against the UW-River Falls defense. As a team they rushed for 135 yards.
- The Pioneers outgained the Falcons 397 to 247 yards in total offense.
- Neither team was very good on 3rd down. River Falls was 5 of 16 for the game, while Platteville was just 5 of 15.
- The Falcons were a victim of poor field position throughout the game as UW-Platteville punter Connor Foley placed 5 of his 7 punts inside the 20 yard line. Of the 5 punts inside the 20, 4 of them were downed inside the 5 yard.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Falcons return to action next Saturday on the road against UW-Stout in Menomonie, Wis. Game time is set for 2 PM.