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\n Pat Deninger
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\n Football
\n 12\/13\/2025 7:39:44 PM
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**UW-River Falls Sports Information contributed to this recap<\/p>\n
RIVER FALLS, Wis.<\/p>\n
–University of Wisconsin-River Falls emerged with a 46-21 victory over Wheaton College (Ill.) in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Division III Football Championship at Ramer Field on Dec. 13.
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\nThe Falcons (12-1) will face Johns Hopkins University (Md.) (12-1) in a national semifinal game on Dec. 20. Game location and start time against the Blue Jays it to be determined. It is the first national semifinal appearance for UW-River Falls.<\/p>\n
The Falcons used a balancing offensive attack and a series of timely defensive stops to pull away from Wheaton during the coldest game on record in Ramer Field history as the Falcons and Thunder battled single-digit frigid temperatures.<\/p>\n
UW-River Falls totaled 507 yards of offense and converted 9-of-16 third downs in ice-cold and windy conditions, led by quarterback Kaleb Blaha\u2019s four passing touchdowns, completing 32-of-50 passes for 407 yards with no interceptions.
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\nThe Falcons\u00a0struck first on their\u00a0opening possession, marching 68 yards on nine plays before Blaha connected with Blake Rohrer\u00a0on an 11-yard touchdown pass. Wheaton answered with a long drive early in the second quarter to tie the game, but the Falcons closed the half with 13 unanswered points to take a 20-7 lead into intermission.
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\nBlaha found Austin Rush\u00a0for an 11-yard score midway through the second quarter, then Trevor Asher\u00a0capped a 16-play, 81-yard drive with a one-yard rushing touchdown in the final minute of the half. The Falcons’ defense added a key stop before halftime, as Taylor Sussner intercepted a pass in the closing seconds to preserve the two-score advantage.
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\nWheaton narrowed the gap to 20-14 early in the third quarter, but UW-River Falls responded immediately. Asher broke loose for a 21-yard touchdown run, and moments later Blaha hit Jake Hilton\u00a0for a 71-yard\u00a0strike to push the lead to 33-14.
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\nThe Thunder opened the fourth quarter with a short touchdown run to make it a 12-point game, but the Falcons again answered quickly. Asher scored his third rushing touchdown of the afternoon from seven yards out, and Blaha later connected again with Hilton for an 18-yard score to seal the outcome.
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\nAsher led the Falcons on the ground with 106 yards and three touchdowns on 22 carries. Hilton finished with three receptions for 126 yards and two touchdowns, while Rohrer caught seven passes for 119 yards and a score. Rush added six catches for 54 yards and a touchdown.
\nDefensively, the Falcons forced two interceptions and repeatedly halted Wheaton on fourth down, limiting the Thunder to 2-of-8 conversions. Sussner recorded 11 tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception, while Peter Ladu added a pick and seven tackles.
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\nUW-River Falls outgained Wheaton 507-429 in total offense and was a perfect 5-for-5 in the red zone, all resulting in touchdowns.
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