GEORGETOWN, Texas – The Southwestern University football team had a 17-7 lead in the third quarter, but Wisconsin-River Falls scored 28 of the final 31 points to claim a 35-20 victory over the Pirates on Saturday afternoon at Birkelbach Field.
The Falcons (1-2) scored a late touchdown in the third quarter to pull within three points. The visitors then used a 21-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Kusilek to Nicholas Studer with 14:01 to play to take a 21-17 lead.
Southwestern (1-3) pulled within one after Laith Tucker drilled a 29-yard field goal five minutes later.
However, UW-River Falls extended its advantage when Kyle Semann intercepted a pass from Bryan Hicks and returned it 30 yards for a touchdown. The Falcons added another score, as Michael Diggins rumbled through the middle for five yard before reaching the goal line. An extra point from Kusilek capped the scoring and gave Wisconsin-River Falls the 15-point advantage.
For the second straight week, the Pirates out-gained their opponent, 327-264. Hicks completed 32-of-57 passes for 371 yards and a touchdown. Matt Gillen hauled in 14 passes for 167 yards and a touchdown.
The linebacking duo of Zach Cole and Mason Ford led Southwestern on defense. Cole racked up a game-high 13 tackles, including one sack, and he recovered a fumble. Ford posted nine stops and intercepted a pass.
UW-River Falls struck first in the second quarter when Kusilek connected with Diggins for a seven-yard touchdown pass. The Pirates answered with 6:12 remaining before halftime, as Dylan Wilburn raced around the edge for a three-yard score.
The Pirates took a 10-7 lead three minutes after the half, as Tucker hit a 19-yard field goal. Hicks then found Gillen for a 19-yard touchdown pass, extending the advantage to 17-7.
Southwestern will hit the road next Saturday, as it travels to Sherman for a non-conference contest against Austin College. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. at Apple Stadium.
POSTGAME NOTES
• Matt Gillen's 14 receptions are a career high and the most by any player in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference since Rhodes' Jack Lartigue hauled in 15 on Nov. 12, 2011.
• Bryan Hicks posted career highs in completions (32), attempts (57) and passing yards (371).
• Zach Cole tied his career best with 13 tackles, which he previously set on Sept. 12 at McMurry.
• Saturday's game marked the first-ever meeting between Southwestern and Wisconsin-River Falls.
– SOUTHWESTERN –