RIVER FALLS, Wis. – The Southwestern football team was unable to overcome three second-half turnovers, as Wisconsin-River Falls collected a 42-22 victory on Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field.
The Pirates (1-3) held a 9-7 lead at halftime. However, the Falcons (1-2) stopped Southwestern on a 4th and 1 play at the 19-yard line on its first possession of the third quarter. Wisconsin-River Falls then drove 78 yards and took the lead on Michael Diggins' six-yard rush.
The Falcons forced a fumble on the ensuing possession. UW-River Falls needed only one play, handing the ball to Diggins, who scored from 14 yards out, extending the lead to 21-9.
Southwestern was able to close the distance, as Frederick Hover led the Bucs on a 13-play, 84-yard drive that was capped by a 9-yard pass to Dante Smith near the end of the third quarter.
The Falcons picked up a one-yard score with 9:03 left in the fourth quarter on Travon Hearns' keeper.
Hover took the Pirates on a 3-play, 57-yard drive in just over a minute and connected with Matt Gillen for a 42-yard touchdown pass to trim UW-River Falls' lead to 27-22.
However, it was the last points Southwestern scored.
Rance Ashley logged back-to-back rushing touchdowns of 54 and 44 yards to push the Falcons lead to 20 points.
The Pirates were outgained 434-400, including a 255-192 edge on the ground.
For Southwestern, Hover threw for 208 yards on 24 of 39 attempts, including two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 61 yards on 17 attempts. Gillen tied a career high with 14 receptions to go along with 153 receiving yards and one touchdown, while Smith hauled in four catches for 40 yards and a score.
The Pirates jumped out to a lead in the opening quarter, as Hover scampered for an 11-yard gain, but the ball was forced out and he fell on it in the end zone. However, UW-River Falls blocked the extra point.
The Falcons took a 7-6 advantage with 8:26 left in the second quarter on a throwback pass to quarterback Travon Hearns, who went untouched 25 yards for the score.
Luke Fierst capped an 11-play, 73-yard drive by hitting a 29-yard field goal with 3:46 remaining before halftime to help the Pirates reclaim the lead.
Southwestern is off next Saturday, but the Pirates return home on Oct. 8 to host Austin College in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference opener. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Birkelbach Stadium in Georgetown.
– SOUTHWESTERN –