Falcons football loses to UW-Platteville

UW-River Falls football lost their fourth game in a row this past weekend as they were defeated by UW-Platteville 27-52 during the Pioneer’s homecoming game on Saturday.

After losing last week at home against UW-Oshkosh, the Falcons tried to get their first win since their 41-0 blowout victory in the season opener versus Minnesota Morris. UW-River Falls would get down 14-0 early in the contest after allowing two Platteville rushing touchdowns before junior quarterback Ben Beckman would find former WIAC Basketball Player of the Year Alex Herink for a touchdown, cutting the lead in half.

In the second quarter, Platteville’s Sean Studer would promptly score a touchdown on a 16-yard run before Tyler Blum would respond back with nine-yard touchdown carry of his own at 6:29. Jacob Lytle’s extra point attempt would be blocked by the Pioneers, making the score 21-13 in favor of Platteville.

Time would expire in the first half as Platteville’s junior kicker Samuel Herkert would boot in a 32-yard field goal to increase the score to 24-13 at halftime. Four of Platteville’s six drives in the first half resulted in points for the home team, as the UWRF defense would look to improve on its performance in the third quarter.

UW-River Falls would enter the second half on fire, capping of a seven-play, 72-yard drive with a rushing touchdown by Sam Altena, his sixth of the season. A successful two-point conversation by the tight end Evan Verhota would allow the Falcons to bring the score to within three points.

This would be as close as the score would get in the third quarter, as the Pioneers would go on to score 21 unanswered points to add to their lead. Scores from senior’s Mark Johnson and Studer would be met with raucous applause from the 4,067 in attendance at Pioneer Stadium.

Midway through the fourth quarter, Las Vegas-native Anthony Silva would score on a four-yard touchdown run before Studer would close the game out with yet another touchdown.

Though the Falcons offense scored 27 points and Beckman threw for 405 yards, it was no match for the Pioneers offense led behind Studer and his 225 rushing yards and five touchdowns. Three different running backs for the Falcons would score a rushing touchdown in this contest, as senior wide receiver Trenton Monson would finish the game with 12 receptions for 166 yards.

This game marks the fourth straight game where the Falcons defense has allowed more than 32 points and the second consecutive game where the team has given up 48 or more points.

UW-Platteville will advance to 4-1 and continues to climb the standings. This loss drops UW-River Falls to 1-4 on the young season and marks their second straight WIAC loss in 2018.

The Falcons will have a week to regroup as they will face a tough UW-Stout team for homecoming next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.