The University of Wisconsin-River Falls (UWRF) football team has pulled off a turnaround that’s honestly hard to believe. After almost twenty years of losing, the Falcons have climbed all the way to the Division III national championship game.
This run has caught the attention of college football fans and analysts everywhere. It’s a wild story of creative coaching, smart recruiting, and just plain stubbornness to keep going.
When head coach Matt Walker took over, UWRF was stuck in a brutal 19-year losing streak. Walker himself started with nine more losing seasons, including a winless 2013.
But then he started making bold moves. First, he shifted his offensive coordinator, Jake Wissing, over to defense.
Next, he promoted 26-year-old wide receivers coach Joe Matheson to offensive coordinator. That duo brought in a relentless up-tempo offense, something they had time to tinker with during the pandemic-canceled 2020 season.
The “Top Gun” Offense: A Game Changer
Matheson’s “Top Gun” offense is, frankly, a blast to watch. The Falcons run a dizzying 85 offensive snaps per game—more than anyone else in the NCAA.
This high-speed attack has turned quarterback Kaleb Blaha into a stat monster. Blaha averages 412.1 yards per game, second-best in all of college football, and he just snagged the Gagliardi Trophy (think: D3’s Heisman).
Matheson’s scheme is loaded with quirks and wrinkles:
- Run-pass option calls
- Quarterback runs
- Receivers spread way out
- Bunch formations
- Option-choice routes
This offense lets UWRF punch above its weight, even against better-funded rivals. The Falcons aren’t just fast—they’re piling up 564.1 yards per game, leading every NCAA division.
Strategic Recruitment: Tapping into New Talent Pools
Recruiting has been a huge part of UWRF’s rise. Unlike most of the WIAC, which looks to Chicago, UWRF has focused on Minneapolis, just a quick 45-minute drive away.
That airport nearby? It’s helped them bring in talent from places like Arizona, too.
Here’s the current breakdown:
- 38 players from Wisconsin
- 67 from Minnesota
- 7 from Arizona
This mix has really paid off. The Falcons’ third and fourth receivers, both from Arizona, have been key cogs in the offense.
Breaking Barriers: Key Wins and Championships
2021 was the year things finally turned. UWRF snapped its 20-year losing streak with a 9-2 record.
Three more seven-win seasons followed. But this year? That’s when the real breakthrough happened.
The Falcons thumped Wisconsin-Whitewater 52-14—a team that’s pretty much a Division III legend. That blowout made people across D3 football sit up and take notice.
It paved the way for UWRF’s first WIAC championship since 1998, and their first outright title since 1985. They landed their first D3 playoff berth since 1996, then kept rolling in the postseason, dropping at least 42 points in every playoff win.
The Road to the Stagg Bowl: Facing North Central
Now, UWRF is headed to the Stagg Bowl to face North Central (Ill.), a team that’s no joke. North Central’s won three of the last five national titles and leads D3 in scoring at 49.4 points per game.
The Falcons know they’re up against a juggernaut. But after all they’ve been through, who’s to say they can’t pull off one more surprise?
Looking Ahead: The Future of UWRF Football
Win or lose in the national championship, UWRF’s wild turnaround has already earned a spot in college football history. The team’s rise has brought a fresh wave of attention and respect to the program.
Honestly, the Falcons seem ready to ride this momentum for a while. Head coach Matt Walker’s gutsy choices and the creative spark from his staff have set up a solid base for what could be a long run of success.
The Falcons’ offense? It’s been electric. Smart recruiting and a stubborn drive have turned UWRF into a real contender in Division III football.
Now, as they get ready for the biggest game they’ve ever played, you can feel the excitement buzzing through the UWRF community. If you ask me, the future looks pretty bright for Falcon football.
If you want the full story on their road to the Division III national championship, you can find it on the New York Times.
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