RIPON, Wis. - After losing three consecutive road games to start the season, the Ripon College football team finally played their 2016 home opener Saturday afternoon, and took full advantage of the comforts of home, defeating Knox College 33-19. The Red Hawks rushed for a season-high 371 yards on 60 carries (6.2 ypc), while holding Knox to just 80 yards on the ground. The win marks Ripon's 18th consecutive win against the Prairie Fire, which hasn't earned a win in the series since 1987, improving Head Coach Ron Ernst's career record against Knox to 18-0.

As gratifying as the victory was for the Red Hawks (1-3, 1-1 MWC), it didn't come easy, as Knox (0-4, 0-2 MWC) got on the scoreboard first with a one-yard run from quarterback Matt McCaffrey, which was the only scoring in the first quarter. Ripon tied the game at six early in the second when they got a one-yard touchdown run from their own quarterback, sophomore Griffin McNeal. Knox would grab the lead back on the ensuing possession, using 11 plays, which was capped off by a three-yard run by McCaffrey. With three and a half minutes left before halftime, Ripon answered again, this time with a four-yard touchdown run from McNeal, giving Ripon a 14-13 lead at the half.

Ripon began to take control of the game in the second half, extending their lead on a one-yard plunge by Samuel Shroyer with just under 11 minutes remaining in the third period. After Knox went three-and-out on the ensuing possession, Ripon took advantage with a three-play, 54-yard drive, which was finished off with a 13-yard scamper by Cody Chase. Knox would cut the lead to eight on a 57-yard passing touchdown early in the fourth quarter, but Ripon quickly answered on their next play from scrimmage, as Austin Bunders weaved his way down the field for a 58-yard score, putting the game on ice.

Chase led the Red Hawks with 103 yards on 20 carries (5.2 ypc). Bunders added 86 yards on four totes (21.6 ypc), and now has 203 rushing yards this season on just 11 carries (18.5 ypc). Shroyer also chipped in with 81 yards on 10 carries.

Defensively, Ripon forced three turnovers, as Hunter Gruenwald, Lane Barnes, and Patrick Barany each recorded an interception. Vince Stensrud and Brandon Bartel each registered one sack, which marks Ripon's first sacks of the season. Gruenwald and Parker Groves led the team with 10 tackles apiece.

McCaffrey passed for 315 yards and one touchdown for the Prairie Fire, while also rushing for 29 yards on 10 carries and two more scores. Malik Hamilton led all receivers with six catches for 106 yards and a fourth quarter score for Knox.

Ripon will enjoy the comforts of home for one more week, as they will welcome Macalester College to the friendly confines of Ingalls Field next weekend for what will be Ripon's annual Homecoming celebration. That game will begin at 1 p.m. on Saturday.