Falcons Top Blue Devils 40-37 in Overtime

RIVER FALLS - The Blue Devils fell 40-37 in overtime to the 11^th ranked UW-River Falls Falcons Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field.

UW-Stout (4-2, 2-1) led the Falcons (5-1, 2-1) 27-6 at the half, but UWRF outscored Stout 28-7 in the second half to force overtime. In the extra session, Stout's drive stalled, and they settled for a field goal, and River was able to punch in the game winning touchdown from two yards out to complete the comeback.

River Falls started fast, scoring a 54-yard touchdown just four plays into the game. The extra point was missed and UWRF led 6-0 just 1:09 into the contest.

Davonte Evans responded with a 41-yard kickoff return to set Stout up near midfield. Stout moved the ball inside the 10, but settled for a 20-yard field goal from Luke Cool to put Stout on the board at 6-3.

River moved the ball quickly down the field on two plays, but Brooks Brewer ended the drive with an interception at the Blue Devil 25-yard line. Four plays, later, Adam Moen found Davonte Evans over the middle and Evans raced 54 yards for the score to give Stout the 10-6 lead.

The Blue Devils forced a three-and-out and the Falcons punt bounced out of bounds at the UWRF 49-yard line setting up Stout with good field position. Stout cashed in when Cool capped off a 12-play 24-yard drive with a 42-yard field goal to extend the lead to 13-6.

The Falcons drove the length of the field moving the ball inside the Stout 10, but a fumble recovered by Drew Schneider ended the scoring threat. After the teams traded punts, Stout took over at the UWRF 35-yard line. Moen found Raith Bauer for a 21-yard score to give Stout a 20-6 lead with 4:15 left in the second quarter.

The Blue Devil defense forced another UWRF punt. Stout used a 10-play 76-yard drive to score just before the half. Moen threw his third touchdown of the half, finding  Patrick Corcoran for a 14-yard score to give Stout a 27-6 halftime lead.

River intercepted Moen's deep pass early in the third quarter and returned it to midfield. The Falcons capitalized on the turnover with a seven-yard touchdown pass to pull with in two scores.

Stout had a 12-play drive that stalled just outside of field goal range, on fourth and nine the Blue Devils gained seven yards, and the Falcons took over on downs.

Stout regained the ball when Gabe Kramer strip sacked the UWRF quarterback and Walker Beyerl fell on the loose ball. The momentum was short lived as Stout gave the ball back on the very next play, when wide receiver Aaron Williams pass on a trick play was intercepted. River then worked a nine play 64-yard drive to score on a one-yard rush to pull with seven. Three plays later, River Falls returned an interception for a touchdown to tie the game at 27.

Stout responded with a quick four play drive highlighted by a 58-yard pass and catch from Moen to Aaron Williams on third down to set up the Blue Devils with a first and goal at the two-yard line. Dylan Nelson put Stout back on top 34-27 with 12:40 left to play.

River tied the game back up with a 15-play 75-yard drive that took nearly six minutes off of the clock.

Stout was forced to punt on their next drive and the Falcons regain possession with three minutes remaining. River had a12-play drive, but missed the potential go ahead 33-yard field goal wide right, giving Stout the ball back with 48 seconds left on the clock. Moen found Corcoran for 18 yards and a face mask penalty added 15 more yards to set Stout up at the river 47. Moen then scrambled for a 47-yard touchdown, but the play was called back due to a holding penalty. A few plays, later Luke Cool attempted a 50-yard field goal with seven seconds left, his attempt hit the right upright and bounced out and the game went into overtime.

Stout had the first possession of the overtime period. After an 11-yard run by Moen, the drive stalled and Cool gave Stout the lead with a 27-yard field goal. Stout nearly forced a field goal attempt by the Falcons the quarterback slipped a tackle and stumbled to the two-yard line, before punching in the game winner on the next play.

Moen finished 23-40 for 343 yards, three touchdowns and an interception. He added 63 yards on the ground. Dylan Nelson ran for 52 yards on 16 carried and a score. Devonte Evans caught seven passes for 103 yards and a score. Patrick Corcoran made six receptions for 89 yards and score. Stout totaled 463 yards of offense. On the defensive side, Brooks Brewer led the defense with 13 tackles, a tackle for loss, two break ups and an interception. Braxton Munnikhuysen made 10 tackles and had a pass break up. Richie Murphy made ten tackles and forced a fumble.  
 
RECORD WATCH
Luke Cool made all four of his PATs and now holds the school record with 110 career PAT's. He passed Evan Larsen's 109. Cool now has 44 career field goals and is two field goals back of Ricky Marteney's 46.
 
UP NEXT
The Blue Devils will host UW-Eau Claire in the "War on 94" on Saturday, Oct. 26 for homecoming. Kick-off from Williams Stadium is set for 1:05 p.m.