MENOMONIE - The Blue Devils fell 49-35 in a back and forth affair with No. 7 UW-River Falls Saturday afternoon at Williams Stadium.
UW-River Falls quaterback Kaleb Blaha rushed for 301 yards and six touchdowns as the Falcons totaled 591 yards to out score the Blue Devils Saturday on senior day. Stout (3-5, 1-4) totaled nearly 400 yards offense but could keep pace late as they fell by two scores.
The Falcons (7-1, 4-1) struck first on a eight play 80 yard drive that last just over three minutes to take a 7-0 lead on a Blaha 40 touchdown scramble. Stout responded with a 10 play drive that stalled in the red zone, but
Luke Cool was true from 32 yards out to bring the score to 7-3.
River Falls had another quick drive totaling 84 yards in just 1:46 when Blaha found his receiver for a 27 yard score. Stout was forced to punt, but turned the Falcons over on downs to get the ball back. Stout got a big play when
Mitch Waechter found
Arthur Cox for a 46 yard gain to set up the Blue Devils just outside the redzone. The drive stalled again but Cool split the uprights from 40 yards out to make it a one possession game at 14-6. Stout was able to force a Falcon punt and
Hunter Scafe was able to get through the shield and block the punt
Carter Fonger recovered and Stout took over at the Falcon 41 yard line. On the next play Cox took a handoff and weaved his wat through the defense for a 41 yard score. He then caught Waechter's 2-pt pass to tie the game at 14 just before the end of the first quarter.
UWRF retook the lead after an 14 play 75 yard drive capped off by Blaha second score of the day on a 21 yard rush. The teams then traded punts. Stout got a big return from
Will Knutson and Cox scored his scored touchdown of the day, this time on a two-yard pass from
Adam Moen to tie the game at 21.
Davonte Evans second half kickoff return was called back due to holding and the Blue Devils were forced to punt. UWRF took over at midfield and nine plays later Blaha rushed in from two yards out to regain the lead at 28.21. Stout responded with a 10 play 70 yard drive to tie the game at 28 when Waechter found
Tucker Haakonson for a seven yard score. Blaha then moved the Falcons 65 yards in 12 plays to score from two yards you to take a 35-28 lead River extended the lead to 14 when Blaha rushed in from a yard out early in the fourth quarter. Waechter found
Caleb Timm for a yard touchdown on fourth and eight to bring stout within a score with seven minutes to play. The momentum was short lived as Blaha scored his sixth rushing touchdown on the day on the first play from scrimmage, breaking a couple of tackles and racing down the sideline to put River back up by 14 at 49-35. Stout moved the ball back inside the 10 with 90 seconds to play but was intercepted at the goal line to seal the win for UWRF.
Waechter finished 25 of 47 for 289 yards two touchdowns and an interception.
Cox had five catches for 76 yards and a score. He carried the ball three times for 40 yards and a score.
Cannon Griner had 10 total tackles.
Kaleb Blaha threw 24-33 for 234 yards passing and a touchdown for the Falcons on the ground he carried the ball 40 times for 301 yards and six touchdowns.
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils will travel to Eau Claire, Wis. on Nov. 4 to battle the Blugolds in the "War on 94". Kickoff from Carson Park is set for 1:05 p.m.
