Ripon College Athletics

RIPON, Wis. -- The Ripon football program (1-2, 1-0 MWC) earned their first win of the 2026 season, and their first Midwest Conference win, against the Knox College Prairie Fire (1-2, 0-1 MWC) this Saturday, September 19.

With a start time pushed back due to the storms, Ripon took to the field for a night game amidst a steady shower of rain, resulting in slick turf for both programs. The hosts took to the conditions with gusto, as quarterback Cale Barnhart (Canton, Ill., Canton HS) connected with receiver Blake Thelen (Oconomowoc, Wis., Lake Country Lutheran HS) on a short pass up the middle. Thelen found open field for 49 yards, scoring the first Ripon touchdown of the game after seven minutes of action. Ripon's defense continued smothering Knox for the remainder of the first quarter, sending the game into the second with a 7-0 Ripon scoreline. 

The second saw some signs of life from the Prairie Fire, who managed to maneuver their way into the Ripon 25-yard line on their first drive of the quarter. However, defensive back James Bradley (Oshkosh, Wis., Oshkosh West HS) negated their advantage, picking off a pass to quell Knox's most productive drive. From there, running back Treston Dekker (Sheboygan, Wis., Sheboygan South HS) stormed his way up the middle of Knox's line, putting the team into scoring position after a Knox targeting penalty improved the Red Hawks' drive. From the Knox 28-yard line, wide receiver Ryan Clayborn (Evans, Ga., Greenbrier HS) would earn a rushing touchdown, breaking free on a 28-yard attempt to put the hosts up 14-0. 

Finishing out the first half with the two-score advantage, Ripon opened the third quarter with another scoring drive after forcing a Knox 3-and-out. Dekker would join with running back Jackson Bender (Elroy, Wis., Royall HS), walking their way up the field on rushes until a final quarterback keeper from Brady Immel (Winneconne, Wis., Winneconne HS) put the Red Hawks up 21-0. On the next set of Knox downs, Bradley and linebacker Zane Vetter (Mayville, Wis., Mayville HS) combined for consecutive sacks, forcing yet another Prairie Fire 3-and-out as the quarter came to an end. 

The fourth quarter started almost with issue for the Red Hawks. After working their way into scoring position, Ripon fumbled on the Knox 1-yard line, giving the Prairie Fire back the ball deep in their own territory. However, the Ripon defense continued their dominance, scoring a safety on the very next play thanks to a tackle from lineman Desean Smith (Lake Park, Ga., Lowndes HS). Still the Red Hawks continued their push, scoring on their next drive as well, as Bender broke free for a 24 yard rushing touchdown after only four plays. Although Knox would score as the game came to an end, the Red Hawks took home a conference opening victory, 30-7. 

Rushing provided a strong component of Ripon's success in the game, as Dekker and Bender combined for 213 yards and averaged 5.6 yards per carry. Defensively, the Red Hawks played their best game of the season, notching four sacks and an interception as a team, while holding the Prairie Fire to just 159 total yards over the game. 

The Red Hawks return to action next weekend for a road game against Monmouth College. The Fighting Scots opened their conference schedule today against Cornell College, defeating the Rams 42-7 at Mount Vernon.