The University of Wisconsin- River Falls Falcons football team punched its ticket to the second annual Culver’s Isthmus Bowl with a thrilling 35-34 win over UW-Stout on Saturday, Nov. 12.

The UWRF offense has received much publicity in recent years for its up-tempo, aggressive playstyle that earned it a “Top Gun” nickname. However, it was the Falcons’ defense that flew under the radar and came up clutch with a stop on a Stout two-point conversion attempt with a bowl game on the line.

After putting together a 15-play, 72-yard drive that culminated in a rushing touchdown by sophomore quarterback Kaleb Blaha, it looked like River Falls was guaranteed another trip to the second annual Culver’s Isthmus Bowl.

Instead, Stout responded with a seven-play, 80-yard scoring drive that culminated in a one-yard touchdown pass with 11 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter. Instead of kicking the extra point, UW-Stout head coach Clayt Birmingham kept the offense on the field and decided to go for a two-point conversion.

That’s when senior quarterback Sean Borgerding dropped back, threw a pass to the flat and had it picked off by UWRF sophomore defensive back Michael Brown who fell to the ground in celebration. UWRF head coach Matt Walker spoke about the game coming down to a single play.

“That defense has been gritty all year. It doesn’t surprise me they came up with a play when we needed it,” Walker said. “Our offense gets so much publicity and for good reason, but that group on defense has been leading us the whole way. I couldn’t be more proud of that group. What coach (Jake) Wissing does with them is amazing.”

While the River Falls defense made plays when it mattered most, the Top Gun offense had a day of its own. The Falcons amassed 397 yards of total offense on a cold, snowy day at David Smith Stadium and Ramer Field in River Falls.

The aforementioned Blaha continues to lead the charge for River Falls, as he finished with 263 passing yards, two touchdowns and one interception. He also rushed for 93 yards and two touchdowns in the one-point win over Stout on Saturday afternoon.

River Falls had help from several key seniors on the roster, including noted defensive personnel Dom Turner, Calvin Rosen and Jake Halsey. Those players and the rest of the senior class were celebrated before the game in honor of UWRF senior day. After the game, coach Walker spoke about the senior class and what they’ve meant to his program over the years.

“The average person can’t comprehend the time and commitment and dedication required to play college football in this league,” Walker said. “To do what they did and hang in there through tough times, through COVID and the big year in 2021 and then to lead this group, there aren’t words to explain how much I love them.”

With the win, River Falls improved to 6-4 overall and 4-3 in WIAC play. After the game ended, it had been confirmed that River Falls would go back to the Isthmus Bowl, but Walker and the coaching staff felt as if there was a really good chance they’d get the 11th game.

“We’re alive. La Crosse won, Oshkosh won over Platteville, that puts us in a three-way tie and gives us the bowl bid if La Crosse goes to the playoffs,” Walker said. “(La Crosse) should, they’re 9-1 with the only loss to Whitewater. I think we got the help we needed.”

River Falls had it confirmed on Sunday afternoon that the Falcons had earned the bowl bid, as both Whitewater and La Crosse qualified for the Division 3 playoffs. The Culver’s Isthmus Bowl features the two top teams from the WIAC and the College Conference of Illinois and Wisconsin (CCIW) that didn’t qualify for the NCAA playoffs.

This year’s bowl game will be a rematch of last year’s inaugural contest, as River Falls defeated Washington University in St. Louis 48-27 in Verona to claim the first bowl game played in the state in Wisconsin history.

UW-River Falls (6-4) and Washington University in St. Louis (8-2) are slated to clash again on Saturday, Nov. 19, at the Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium in Sun Prairie in the second annual Culver’s Isthmus Bowl. That game is slated to begin at 3 p.m.