UW River Falls punches ticket to first-ever Stagg Bowl, Blaha’s 79-yard TD pass in final 45 seconds seals dramatic 48-41 upset of Johns Hopkins

UW River Falls punches its ticket to the Stagg Bowl for the first time in program history, defeating Johns Hopkins 48-41 in a thrilling Division III football semifinal. Kaleb Blaha delivers a 79-yard touchdown pass to Blake Rohrer with 47 seconds remaining to seal the dramatic victory. The Falcons (13-1) advance to Canton, Ohio on January 4.

Historic First Trip to the Stagg Bowl

The UW River Falls Falcons completed their improbable playoff run Saturday at River Falls’ Ramer Field, advancing to the NCAA Division III national championship game for the first time ever. The victory ends decades of close calls and near-misses for the program, which only recently received major athletic funding following the 2017 opening of the Falcon Center.

Before this season, the WIAC powerhouse struggled with dilapidated athletic facilities and minimal program funding. Coach Matt Walker received expanded resources to build a championship-caliber staff. This foundation propelled the Falcons through a flawless postseason run crushing Chapman, overpowering St. John’s, dominating Wheaton (Ill.), and finally outlasting Johns Hopkins on Saturday.

The Falcons finished 13-1, with their only loss coming against UW-Oshkosh. They enter the Stagg Bowl on January 4 in Canton, Ohio as challengers to defending champion North Central College.

A War Until the Final Seconds

Saturday’s game was instantly explosive and never slowed. The two offenses traded touchdowns relentlessly, with Johns Hopkins taking a 27-20 halftime lead. The scoring continued in the third quarter with both teams matching each other blow-for-blow, showcasing 632 total yards of offense for River Falls compared to 461 for Johns Hopkins.

The Falcons erased deficits twice during the contest. Trailing after Hopkins scored early in the fourth quarter, River Falls faced a critical moment pinned deep at its own 4-yard line with under a minute remaining. What happened next became immortalized in program history.

On third-and-7, Blaha moved around from the 21-yard line, saw Rohrer on the left side, and delivered a perfect spiral down the sideline. Rohrer caught the pass away from Blue Jay safety Jack Schondelmayer and raced 79 yards to the end zone. Brady Block intercepted the ensuing Hopkins possession to seal the victory. The play drew 700,000 Instagram viewers within 24 hours.

Quarter	Johns Hopkins	UW River Falls
1st	14	14
2nd	13	7
3rd	7	20
4th	7	7
Final	41	48

Blaha’s Record-Breaking Performance in Historic Win

Kaleb Blaha, the senior from Fridley High School, authored a performance that will live forever in River Falls history. Despite a hard hit in the first quarter from which he briefly left the game, Blaha returned to engineer the comeback. He completed 30-of-48 passes for 5 touchdowns and 520 yards, a school record. He also added a rushing touchdown earlier in the game.

Blaha is a lock to win the Gagliardi Award as Division III’s top player. His dual-threat ability and ice-in-the-veins composure down the stretch exemplify why coaches across the nation recognize his elite talent level. With the nation watching on January 4, Blaha will lead the Falcons against North Central in what promises to be a high-scoring championship affair.

“This was an absolute war. It showed that we can win any kind of football game.”

— Matt Walker, Head Coach, UW River Falls

Woodbury’s Blake Rohrer: From Basketball Star to Football Hero

Blake Rohrer, a 6-foot-3 junior from Woodbury, Minnesota, was primarily a basketball standout before joining the football team. His 79-yard catch-and-run in the final seconds capped a remarkable season in which he accumulated 1,111 receiving yards with 55 catches and 11 touchdowns. He averaged 20.2 yards per reception, outstanding efficiency for a college football receiver.

Rohrer was on a choice route against Johns Hopkins, instructed to go up or in while reading the defense. When safety Schondelmayer tried to intercept, Rohrer adjusted perfectly and found open grass ahead of him. The basketball background shows in his athleticism and body control. Coach Andy Hill from Woodbury High noted Rohrer’s instinct for the ball and his elite athleticism when finally recruited for football after playing basketball as a freshman.

The Woodbury product has emerged as the perfect complementary weapon for Blaha’s dynamic passing offense. His performance throughout the playoffs has validated the decision to shift sports from basketball to football.

What’s Next for the Falcons: The Stagg Bowl Championship Game?

UW River Falls will face defending champion North Central College on January 4, 2026 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio with kickoff at 8 p.m. ET. North Central won their sixth consecutive Stagg Bowl last year, establishing them as the modern dynasty of Division III football. The Cardinals possess a dominant defense that anchors their championship pedigree.

The Falcons enter as underdogs but have proven capable of winning any type of football game throughout these playoffs. Their ability to match scoring with one of the nation’s elite offenses while trailing against Johns Hopkins signals they can compete with North Central’s superior defense. The matchup shaped up to be one of the most compelling college football games in recent memory.

Sources

• D3football.com – Complete game recap and statistics
• Star Tribune – Blake Rohrer profile and game coverage
• ESPN.com – Official box score and game summary