River Falls Soars Past St. John's in Division III Football Showdown, Securing National Quarterfinal Spot
In a dominating performance, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls football team advanced to the national quarterfinals on Saturday, achieving something that hasn't been seen since before World War II - winning for the first time against St. John's since 1937.
Kaleb Blaha led the charge, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 97 additional yards as the Falcons dominated the second half to take down the Johnnies 42-14 in a Division III matchup. The win marks the third-ranked Falcons' first national quarterfinal appearance in school history.
River Falls head coach Matt Walker attributed his team's success to Blaha, who continues to defy expectations after a hamstring injury limited him to just three games last season. "He's really tough because he's got that quick burst," St. John's coach Gary Fasching said of Blaha, who has now thrown for 3,753 yards and 31 touchdowns this season.
Blaha's performance was also buoyed by a crucial interception return by Nick Wasko, which set up the Falcons' lead with 28-7 margin. The team's physical offense line controlled the trenches, allowing them to run 51 times for 188 yards, while St. John's struggled on just nine carries for 22 yards.
The Falcons will now face Wheaton in their national quarterfinal matchup on December 13 at Ramer Field. River Falls has won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the first time since 1985 this season and stands poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
"I didn't have to come back, but I wanted to come back, and I knew we could really make this happen," Blaha said of his team's historic win. "Living in it right now, it's great." With Walker's guidance, River Falls has achieved something that was thought to be impossible just a season ago, earning the program its first national quarterfinal appearance in history.
In a dominating performance, the University of Wisconsin-River Falls football team advanced to the national quarterfinals on Saturday, achieving something that hasn't been seen since before World War II - winning for the first time against St. John's since 1937.
Kaleb Blaha led the charge, throwing for 245 yards and three touchdowns, while also rushing for 97 additional yards as the Falcons dominated the second half to take down the Johnnies 42-14 in a Division III matchup. The win marks the third-ranked Falcons' first national quarterfinal appearance in school history.
River Falls head coach Matt Walker attributed his team's success to Blaha, who continues to defy expectations after a hamstring injury limited him to just three games last season. "He's really tough because he's got that quick burst," St. John's coach Gary Fasching said of Blaha, who has now thrown for 3,753 yards and 31 touchdowns this season.
Blaha's performance was also buoyed by a crucial interception return by Nick Wasko, which set up the Falcons' lead with 28-7 margin. The team's physical offense line controlled the trenches, allowing them to run 51 times for 188 yards, while St. John's struggled on just nine carries for 22 yards.
The Falcons will now face Wheaton in their national quarterfinal matchup on December 13 at Ramer Field. River Falls has won the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title for the first time since 1985 this season and stands poised to make a deep run in the tournament.
"I didn't have to come back, but I wanted to come back, and I knew we could really make this happen," Blaha said of his team's historic win. "Living in it right now, it's great." With Walker's guidance, River Falls has achieved something that was thought to be impossible just a season ago, earning the program its first national quarterfinal appearance in history.
! He was hurt last season and you'd think he'd be done for, but he's still racking up the stats and leading his team to a historic win 
. It just goes to show that with determination and hard work, anything is possible... even when everyone thought you were done 
. I mean, the guy was down from three games last season, but now he's throwing for 3k yards and 30+ TDs! That's what I call resilience 
. And it's not just Blaha, the whole team played together like a well-oiled machine... you gotta love that kinda sportsmanship 
. The Falcons are on fire right now and I'm excited to see where this national quarterfinal matchup takes them 
.
They totally dominated St John's and now they're one step closer to winning that national quarterfinal spot 
! Blaha is on fire 
. And can we talk about Nick Wasko's interception return? game changer 
! Coach Walker's guidance has clearly paid off and River Falls is proof that perseverance pays off 
. Bring it on against Wheaton in the quarterfinals! 
. Bring on December 13! 
it's crazy how he's risen to the challenge after that hamstring injury last season. the entire team played so well together, with their physical offense line dominating St. john's in every aspect 
it's going to be super interesting to see them take on wheaton in the national quarterfinals on dec 13!
! from getting injured last season to now leading his team to a historic win like this 
. and now they get to face Wheaton in the national quarterfinals... this could be epic 
. Bring on Wheaton in December! 
. The Falcons' offense line was like an unstoppable force, controlling the trenches like pros. I'm not surprised they won, though - they've been on fire all season and it looks like Matt Walker has got some magic sauce brewing in River Falls 
. Now they get to face Wheaton in the national quarterfinals and I'm hyped 
! And that interception return by Nick Wasko? GAME CHANGER 
I mean, they dominated St. John's and now they're going to the quarterfinals? That's crazy! 
They'll probably lose the quarterfinals and everyone will be all "oh well". 
still, i'm loving the way river falls is playing, and their offense line is looking like a well-oiled machine 
! it's so inspiring to see them overcome that hamstring injury and still dominate on the field 
what's most impressive tho is how he came back from a hamstring injury last season 
and now he's leading his team to the national quarterfinals 
can't wait to see them take on wheaton in dec 13 
they're killing it on the field this season 
... Talk about defying expectations! Matt Walker must be one proud coach right now 