Box Score

MILWAUKEE, Wis. - For the third time in the last four years, the Ripon College football team has opened their season with a victory. The most recent season opening win came Saturday night in a 31-24 victory at Wisconsin Lutheran. The Red Hawks, who never trailed in the game, put together one of their most balanced games in recent years, rushing for 297 yards and passing for 169. Quarterback Tom Sawyer led the way with 131 yards and three touchdowns on the ground, while also completing 12 of his 20 passes.

Sawyer's first TD came in the final minutes of the first quarter, as he punched it in from two yards out to put Ripon on the board first. Wisconsin Lutheran's Donavin Tucker would tie the game early in the second quarter, scoring on an eight yard run. Eight minutes later, Sawyer capped an 11-play, 60 yard drive with another two-yard TD run. The two teams then exchanged field goals, giving the Red Hawks a 17-10 halftime lead.

Ripon doubled their lead on the opening possession of the second half, which saw them march 75 yards in 11 plays, capped by a one-yard touchdown run by Connor Greenwald. With under one minute left in the third quarter, Wisconsin Lutheran flashed some big play ability, as Mike Reeves scored on a 60-yard run to cut the lead to seven once again.

As they would do all night though, the Red Hawks kept the Warriors at arms length with Sawyer's third and final touchdown of the day, this time scoring from seven yards out. Reeves added another touchdown for Wisconsin Lutheran late in the game, but their ensuing onsides kick would be recovered by Ripon, essentially ending the game.

Next to Sawyer, Ripon was led by Greenwald's 98 yards on 21 carris. Eric Langman added 33 carries on just four totes in addition to his two receptions for 25 yards. Tommy Zak led all receivers in the game, grabbing six receptions for 83 yards.

Defensively, the Red Hawks were led by Mark Hinner, Logan Will, Nick Weiss and Saige Anderson, all of which recorded a team-high six tackles. Jon Petkoff added four tackles, to go along with one interception.

Wisconsin Lutheran was led by Reeves' 106 yards on 12 carries (8.8 ypc). Drew Dyrssen completed 17-of-32 passes for 207 yards, but more importantly was kept out of the end zone through the air. Sam Dunham led all players with 13 tackles.

The Red Hawks will now get ready for their 2013 home and conference opener, as they'll host Carroll University next weekend. That game will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Ingalls Field in Ripon and can be seen live on http://client.stretchinternet.com/client/ripon.portal#.