RIPON, Wis. - Ripon scored more points Saturday than the team has scored in a game in the last 102 years, defeating Finlandia University 70-0 in what was their sixth-highest point total in program history. Eight Red Hawks scored at least one touchdown, while Ripon out-gained Finlandia 549-133 in total yardage. That included 484 rushing yards for the Red Hawks, which ranks seventh in program history for a single game.

"We challenged our players during the week to play how they're capable of playing, and we had a great week of practice," Ernst said. "The goal this week was to get better and after a tough loss last week, we wanted to focus on being as good as we could possibly be."

Ripon (1-1) wasted no time getting on the board, taking the opening drive 71 yards on five plays in just over two minutes, capped by a 13-yard Austin Bunders touchdown. Brett Garst added a 10-yard touchdown reception from Julian Patton to end Ripon's second drive, while their third drive of the game also resulted in a TD, as Tyler VanDeVelde found paydirt from five yards out.

Bunders scored for a second time in the second quarter on a three-yard run, while Patton tossed a second TD, this time to Griffin McNeal, just before halftime. Both of those scores were set up by Ripon's defense creating turnovers deep in Finlandia territory.

The second half didn't see Ripon slow down at all, as Patton recorded a seven yard touchdown run to put the Red Hawks up 42-0 with 12 minutes left in the third quarter. The wouldn't score again until the final minute of the period, which saw them score two touchdowns, first on a 35-yard run by freshman quarterback Cormac Madigan, then on a 31-yard fumble return by Lane Barnes on the ensuing possession. Madigan and fellow freshman Kevin Thao would cap the scoring with touchdown runs of one and six yards, respectively, in the fourth quarter.

Ripon achieved 30 first downs on the day, while holding Finlandia to just eight. Madigan led all players with 134 yards on just 10 carries (13.4 ypc) and his two touchdowns. Patton added 88 yards on 10 carries, while also completing 4-of-9 passes for 65 yards. Vandevelde and Bunders finished with 70 and 58 yards, respectively. Fourteen different Ripon players carried the ball at least once in the game.

"We felt like we could run the ball well today and that's what we do best," Ernst said. "Our offense played extremely well and every player on this team works extremely hard during the week to make us better, so it's great to see everyone get some playing time."

The Red Hawks defense was also in mid-season form, forcing four fumbles, while returning one for a touchdown, and intercepting two passes, while also recording one sack, courtesy of freshman Brad Guell. In addition to his 31-yard fumble return for a TD, Barnes intercepted one pass, which he returned 48 yards. Bennett Groves was responsible for the other interception.

"Our defense played extremely well and we had a good game plan, which our players executed very well," Ernst said. "Everybody played well and it was a great win."

Finlandia (0-2) was led by Justin Woolever's 34 yards on eight carries, while Eric Kostreva gained 32 yards rushing. De'Llontae Johnson completed 5-of-14 passes for 43 yards.

Ripon now heads into next week's bye with a mountain of momentum. They will be in action again on September 22 against Knox College in what will be their annual Homecoming celebration. That game will begin at 1 p.m. and can be seen live, with LiveStats at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/ripon/.

"We'll spend a lot of time getting ready for Knox," Ernst said. "That will be a very challenging game, so it's nice to have an extra week to prepare."