Ripon, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team earned a 45-14 victory at Ripon College (Wis.) Saturday aternoon at Ingalls Field. The Eagles improve to 2-0 on the season while the Red Hawks drop to 0-2. UWL now leads the all-time series, 2-1, with Ripon (Wis.).
UWL won the opening toss and elected to receive. Just like in a 27-7 season-opening win over Luther College (Iowa) September 2, the Eagles scored on their first possession of the game Saturday afternoon. UWL drove 76 yards in eight plays and 2:27 with Tarek Yaeggi throwing a 28-yard touchdown pass to Nick Holcomb. Yaeggi was four-of-five on the drive. Zachary Zillmer's two-point catch from Drew David gave UWL a 8-0 lead.
After the teams traded punts, Ripon's (Wis.) Julian Patton scored ona 64-yard run with 8:59 left in the first quarter. Tias Larson's extra-point cut the lead to 8-7. UWL responded on its next possession in scoring in two plays. After Yaeggi had a six-yard run, he threw a 72-yard touchdown pass to Holcomb for a 14-7 advantage. Bryce Wesling's extra-point attempt was blocked.
The Eagles forced a punt on the Red Hawks' next drive and UWL went 46 yards in 10 plays and 3:42 with Trenten Smith scoring on a one-yard run with 2:44 remaining in the first quarter. Wesling's extra-point was good for a 21-7 lead. Yaeggi and Holcomb connected on their third touchdown of the game with 10:33 left in the second quarter, this time from 32-yards out as UWL went 58 yards in four plays and 1:26. Ripon (Wis.) cut the lead to 28-14 on the next drive of the game with Patton scoring on a nine-yard run with 4:07 remaining in the first half. The drive went 83 yards in 12 plays and 6:27. UWL led 28-14 at halftime.
After both teams were held scoreless in the third quarter, UWL took a 31-14 lead with 12:13 remaining in the game on Wesling's 29-yard field goal. UWL went 33 yards on 11 plays and 4:14. The Eagles forced a Red Hawks' punt on the next possession and Yaeggi and Holcomb combined for their fourth touchdown of the game with Yaeggi hitting Holcomb from 38-yards out to make it 38-14. Ripon (Wis.) fumbled on the ensuing kickoff and UWL took advantage with Smtih scoring on a 20-yard run with 8:23 left in the fourth quarter for a 45-14 lead.
UWL finished with 475 yards of offense, including 141 rushing and 334 passing. The Eagles totaled 19 first downs while going five-of-14 on third-down and two-of-two on fourth-down. UWL was three-of-three in the red-zone.
Yaeggi went 22-of-33 for 334 yards with four touchdowns and one interception while Holcomb finished with 10 catches for a school record 263 receiving yards. The 263 receiving yards breaks the school of 237 yards set by Ted Everson versus UW-Platteville (October 13, 2007). Holcomb's four touchdown catches tied a single-game school record of Jerry Gilbertson versus UW-Milwaukee (October 29, 1962) and Scott Burnoski against UW-Whitewater (November 13, 2004).
Smith finished with 54 yards rushing on 12 carries and two touchdowns while Yaeggi totaled 35 yards rushing on 10 attempts.
Ripon (Wis.) was held to 194 yards of offense, including 161 rushing and 33 passing. The Red Hawks went three-of-12 on third-down while being limited to 12 first downs. Ripon (Wis.) won the time of possession, 35:05 to 24:55.
Patton went 4-for-12 passing for 33 yards and two interceptions while rushing for 88 yards on 22 carries and two touchdowns.
Michael Garvey led UWL's defense with nine tackles, including eight unassisted. Zillmer recorded seven solo tackles while 11 different players recorded a tackle for loss.
Lane Barnes led Ripon (Wis.) with 11 tackles (nine unassisted) while Cameron Gruenwald finished with 10 tackles (nine unassisted) and one interception.
UWL returns to action Saturday, September 23 hosting Carroll University (Wis.) at 3 p.m.