UW-River Falls 50, UW-Stout 28
RIVER FALLS (October 22, 2016) - Last year UW-Stout and UW-River Falls participated in a shootout and it didn't look like that would happen as Stout trailed by less than a touchdown, 13-7, at halftime in a low scoring affair. But the Falcons found the goal line numerous times in the second halfing, scoring 37 points after intermission, and went on to a 50-28 win at Ramer Field in Smith Stadium Saturday.
The Falcons (3-4, 2-2 WIAC) never trailed, scoring on a 57-yard pass play early in the second quarter, but Stout answered back when
Brian Sandifer scored his first collegiate TD on a 22-yard pass from
Jay Alston three minutes later. The Falcons took the lead - which would prove to be for good - when Michael Diggins ran nine yards to paydirt with six minutes left in the half.
When Stout (3-4, 1-3 WIAC) received the kickoff in the second half, it proved to be an indicator of things to come. The Blue Devils' kick returner receiving the kick on the field of play, but retreated to the end zone and was tackled for the safety. River Falls led 15-7.
The Falcons took advantage of the gaffe, and drove 72 yards in 11 plays, capped off by Diggins' second score of the afternoon on a five yard pass and the Falcons held a 22-7 lead.
The Blue Devils would answer back. Following a rush by Alston and two rushes by
Adolfo Pacheco, Alston found
Jordan Dabney for his fifth TD of the season, this one coming on a 47 yard play and Stout was within striking range again, trailing, 22-14.
The Falcons put together a 10-play, 87-yard drive and finished it with a Sawyer Moon pass to Evan Verhota for a 13 yard TD pass play. Stout came up short on downs on their next drive and the Falcons marched 45 yards for a score, a one-yard rush by Travon Heard and the Falcons led 36-14.
Stout pulled to within 36-21 on their next drive. Alston completed passes of 11-yards to
Chris Pica-Anderson and 19 yards to Dabney. Alston carried twice for a total of 22 yards to the Falcons' 18 and Alston hit Pacheco for and 18-yard pass.
The Blue Devils' onside kick was scooped up and returned 33 yards to the Stout 8, and Diggins carried to paydirt on the next play for this three score of the game.
The Falcons added insult to injury on the next drive when Alston was intercepted by the Falcons' Albert Itula, who returned the ball 30 yards for a touchdown with 5:34 to play.
The Blue Devils recorded one more score, 76 yards on six plays, highlighted by a 50 yard TD reception by Kevion McDonadl from Alston.
The Falcons tallied 547 yards of total offense, 195 on the ground, 352 in the air. Moon was 14-for-27 for 232 yards and two TDs an Travon Hearns was 3-fo-6 for 120 yards and a TD. T. Halverson hauled in six passes for 156 yards, while Trnton Monson had four catches for 110 yards. Diggins rushed 17 times for 103 yards and two rushing TDs and a TD reception. The Falcons held a more than 15 minute advantage in possession, holding the ball for nearly 38 minutes to Stout's 22.
The Blue Devils finished with 426 total yards of offense, 95 rushing, 331 through the air. Alston was 16-of-19 for 289 yards and four TD passes, the most TD passes he has thrown in his college career. Alston had thrown for 311 yards against Simpson College in the season opener.. Dabney hauled in seven passes for 145 yards. Sandifer had four catches for 62 yards. Pacheco was Stout's leading ground gainer with 32 yards on nine carries.
Tony Blair had 13 tackles, eight solo, for Stout. Queety Badio had seven tackles, six solo to lead River Falls.
Stout returns home Saturday, Oct. 29 to host UW-Platteville at 2 p.m. during Military Appreciation Day.
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