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Fastest Offense Fuels Falcons' Cinderella Season
2 Jan
Summary
- UW-River Falls achieved its first playoff trip since 1996.
- The team boasts the fastest offense in NCAA football history.
- Coach Walker's bold coordinator changes sparked the turnaround.
The University of Wisconsin-River Falls football team is making waves as it heads to the Division III national championship, a remarkable feat after enduring 19 consecutive losing seasons prior to 2021. This turnaround is spearheaded by the most prolific offense in all of NCAA football, averaging an astounding 564.1 yards per game. This historic season marks their first playoff appearance since 1996, demonstrating a dramatic shift in program fortunes.
Head coach Matt Walker initiated significant changes, including moving his offensive coordinator to defense and promoting 26-year-old Joe Matheson to offensive coordinator. Matheson installed a "Top Gun" offense focused on extreme tempo, averaging 85 offensive snaps per game, significantly more than any FBS team. This strategy transformed quarterback Kaleb Blaha into a Gagliardi Trophy finalist, highlighting the offense's explosive potential.
The Falcons' success also involved strategic recruitment, tapping into the Minneapolis-St. Paul talent pool and even recruiting players from Arizona via direct flights. This unique approach, coupled with bold coaching decisions, has culminated in a historic season, defying expectations and positioning UW-River Falls as a formidable contender.
