Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
RIPON, Wisconsin — The Ripon football program used a stout defensive effort and just enough offense to defeat Beloit 16-7 on Saturday afternoon at Hopp Stadium.
In a game that featured 14 punts, Ripon (3-6, 3-5 MWC) scored 10 second-quarter points and converted a key third down in the fourth quarter to turn back Beloit (1-8, 1-7 MWC) for a seventh-consecutive meeting.
The afternoon got off to an auspicious start for the Red Hawks – quarterback Aidan Keyes was picked off deep in Beloit territory on the opening play of the game. However, Ripon buckled down defensively, forcing two points on the next two drives as the teams went into the second quarter tied at zero.
On a 4th and 8 from the Beloit 10 yard-line, Shane French connected on a 27-yard field goal to open the scoring and give Ripon a lead. Following three more points, Ripon started a drive at its own 31 with 7:27 left until half. A 44-yard completion from Keyes to Alex Mosqueda on third down put Ripon inside the red zone, and Keyes rushed in from one yard out on another third down conversion to put Ripon up 10-0. Ripon missed a 44-yard field goal attempt at the second quarter buzzer and the teams went into the locker room with Ripon leading by 10.
Every drive of the third quarter ended in a punt, but Beloit made noise late in the fourth quarter. A 10-play, 55-yard drive that chewed up nearly five minutes of clock ended in a Buccaneers touchdown, as quarterback Jacob Shafer rushed in from one yard out to make it a 10-7 game with 5:55 to go.
On the ensuing possession, Ripon put the game out of reach. Facing a 3rd and 3 from the Ripon 43, quarterback Brady Immel scampered down the right sideline for 37 yards, smartly staying in bounds to keep the clock running. Connor Ramage plunged into the end zone from 10 yards out two plays later, and though the extra point was missed, the Red Hawks led by two scores with under two minutes remaining.
Drew Love and Gavin Engh contributed sacks on the final Beloit drive as Ripon turned the Bucs over on downs to preserve the win.
Keyes was 5-of-11 for 78 yards and an interception through the air, while Mosqueda was his top target (5 catches, 95 yards). On the ground, Ramage carried the ball 19 times for 116 yards and a score – his second game this season with 100+ rushing yards. Defensively, Clay Ritschard and Zane Vetter each had a game-high eight tackles, while Ritschard had three tackles-for-loss and one sack. Engh had 3.5 tackles for loss, two sacks and a forced fumble.
Ripon had a 355-135 advantage in total yards, and had a 240-21 edge in rushing yards. The Red Hawks controlled time of possession (31:03 to 28:57) and scored on three of their four red zone chances. Ripon totaled a season-high eight sacks in the game.
NEXT UP: Ripon hosts Lawrence at 12 p.m. on Saturday, November 16. Next Saturday's season finale will also serve as Ripon's Senior Day.
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