The third round of the 2025 NCAA Division III football playoffs features a marquee Upper Midwest showdown between the No. 4-seeded Saint John’s (MN) Johnnies (10-1, MIAC champions) and the No. 3-seeded UW-River Falls Falcons (10-1, WIAC champions). Set for Saturday, December 6, 2025, at 11:00 AM CT, this road game for the Johnnies at River Falls pits a storied program with national title pedigree against a surging Falcons squad setting school records in their deepest playoff run ever. Both teams dominated second-round foes with offensive fireworks and defensive shutdowns, but River Falls’ home-field advantage and dual-threat QB could make this a defensive chess match in chilly conditions. The winner advances to the quarterfinals, positioning for a potential semifinal clash with Wheaton (IL) or DePauw, en route to the Stagg Bowl on January 4, 2026, in Salem, VA
Venue and Game Details
Location: Ramer Field at David Smith Stadium, River Falls, Wisconsin (Capacity: 3,000). This compact, on-campus venue has been a fortress for the Falcons, who went 6-0 at home this season, outscoring opponents 240-78 (40-13 PPG). Renovated in 2018 with artificial turf and heated sidelines, it’s known for its intimate, vocal crowd—the “Falcon Faithful”—amplified by nearby residence halls. This marks the Falcons’ first-ever home playoff game, adding historic buzz.
Kickoff: 11:00 AM CT (12:00 PM ET).
Broadcast/Stream: Live on ESPN+ with radio coverage on KWBF 104.3 FM (River Falls) and the Saint John’s Sports Network (KDJS 1590 AM). Pre-game festivities include a 9:30 AM tailgate with bonfires and brats, plus the Falcon Marching Band’s pre-kick performance.
Weather Forecast
Early December in western Wisconsin often brings cold snaps, and extended forecasts for River Falls indicate a brisk, clear day suitable for a run-focused battle but challenging for deep passes. Based on models from The Weather Channel, AccuWeather, and the National Weather Service (as of December 1, 2025):
High: 28°F (-2°C).
Low: 15°F (-9°C).
Conditions: Mostly sunny with northwest winds at 10-15 mph. Chance of precipitation: 5% (no snow expected). Feels-like temperatures in the low teens could stiffen hands and favor ground games, but dry turf ensures no delays. Layer up—Falcon fans’ red-and-white gear will be bundled against the bite.
Injury Report
Both teams enter healthy after lopsided second-round wins, with depth tested minimally. Updates from team sites and pressers (as of December 1, 2025):
Saint John’s (MN) Johnnies:
Out: None major; avoided hits in the snowy Monmouth rout.
Questionable: OL Jack Larson (knee tweak from Week 10; limited but expected to start per coach Gary Fasching).
Probable: All offensive stars, including QB Trey Feeney (full after 200+ yd game) and WR Dylan Wheeler (no issues post-4 TD haul).
UW-River Falls Falcons:
Out: None reported; full strength after the Chapman demolition.
Questionable: S Riley Ashburn (minor hamstring from second-round INT return; day-to-day but practiced fully Wednesday).
Probable: QB Kaleb Blaha (cleared after 300+ total yds) and LB Gage Timm (full go despite heavy snaps). Coaches Fasching and Matt Walker emphasized rotation in midweek talks, with no lineup disruptions foreseen.
Key Player Matchups
Saint John’s balanced attack (top-10 nationally at 32.5 PPG) meets River Falls’ versatile D, while the Falcons’ explosive offense tests the Johnnies’ veteran secondary. Critical head-to-heads:
| Matchup | Saint John’s Player | UW-River Falls Player | Why It Matters |
| QB vs. Pass Rush | Trey Feeney (Jr., QB): 1,950 pass yds, 18 TDs, 64% comp.; 450 rush yds, 6 TDs | Gage Timm (Sr., LB): 120 tackles, 13 TFL, 5 sacks (WIAC DPOY) | Feeney’s efficiency (low INT rate) vs. Timm’s disruption (league-high solo TFLs). Timm’s blitzes could force hurried throws in cold. |
| RB vs. Front Seven | Corey Bohmert (Jr., RB): 1,100 rush yds, 12 TDs on 150 carries (7.3 YPC) | Nate Zurn (Sr., DT): 65 tackles, 8 TFL | Bohmert’s burst (three 100+ yd games) challenges Zurn’s run plugs. Falcons allow 105 rush yds/game but excel vs. power backs. |
| WR vs. Secondary | Dylan Wheeler (Sr., WR): 58 rec., 950 yds, 14 TDs (All-American) | Taylor Sussner (Fr., DB): 4 INTs, 35 tackles (WIAC Newcomer) | Wheeler’s big-play ability (4 TDs vs. Monmouth) vs. Sussner’s ball-hawking. River Falls’ secondary ranks top-15 in picks. |
| QB vs. Coverage | Kaleb Blaha (So., QB): 3,281 pass yds, 24 TDs; 875 rush yds, 13 TDs (WIAC OPOY) | Aiden McMahon (So., S): 85 tackles, 3 INTs | Blaha’s dual-threat (WIAC-leading totals) tests McMahon’s range. Johnnies allow 180 pass yds/game but force TOs (+8 margin). |
These battles underscore Saint John’s red-zone efficiency against River Falls’ turnover creation (top-5 nationally at +12).
Recent Team Forms
Both squads are red-hot, with Saint John’s extending a dynasty streak and River Falls rewriting history books.
Saint John’s (MN) Johnnies: Undefeated in MIAC play (8-0), the Johnnies outscored foes 365-145 (33.2-13.2 PPG), peaking in playoffs with aerial dominance. Recent highlights:
Nov. 29 (2nd Rd): 49-15 W vs. Monmouth—Feeney: 220 pass yds/3 TDs; Wheeler: 10 rec., 144 yds/4 TDs in snow.
Nov. 15 (Reg. Finale): 35-14 W vs. Bethel—Bohmert rushed for 130 yds/2 TDs; defense held rivals to 7 pts in 2nd half.
Oct. 25: 28-21 W at Concordia-Moorhead—Overcame early deficit with 3rd-quarter surge.
Form: WWWWW (last 5); +20 point differential; 7-1 in one-possession games.
UW-River Falls Falcons: Perfect in WIAC (7-0) after a Week 5 loss to UW-Oshkosh, scoring 38.6 PPG while allowing 14.8, with a historic playoff opener. Recent surge:
Nov. 29 (2nd Rd): 58-7 W vs. Chapman—Blaha: 280 pass/120 rush yds/4 total TDs; defense: 3 INTs, shutout after Q1.
Nov. 8 (Reg. Finale): 41-7 W vs. UW-La Crosse—Clinched title with 300+ total yds; Sussner INT return TD.
Oct. 18: 45-10 W at UW-Whitewater—Blaha’s 400+ yd dual-threat explosion.
Form: WWWWW (last 5); +23.8 point differential; 6-0 as favorites.
Conference vs. Conference: MIAC vs. WIAC
This clash pits the tradition-rich Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) against the powerhouse Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC), both Upper Midwest juggernauts. The MIAC (ranked No. 4 in 2025 D3 conference standings) produced three playoff teams (Saint John’s, #7 Bethel, #19 Augsburg) and emphasizes balanced, possession-based play—Saint John’s 220 rush yds/game and top-10 scoring D (13.2 PPG allowed) define this. Historically, MIAC squads hold a 55-48 edge over WIAC teams since 2010 (+6.2 margin), bolstered by Stagg Bowl appearances.
The WIAC (No. 1-ranked conference) sent four teams to playoffs (#3 River Falls, #5 UW-Whitewater, #11 UW-Platteville, #16 UW-Oshkosh) and dominated non-con play (21-2 record, including upsets over Top-25 UMHB and Trinity). It favors explosive, dual-threat offenses—River Falls’ 350 total yds/game exemplifies the speed. WIAC teams lead recent crossovers 12-8, signaling a narrowing gap. This stylistic duel—MIAC grit vs. WIAC flash—favors the home team’s tempo.
Team Records
| Team | Overall Record | Conference Record | PF/PA | National Rank (D3Football.com) |
| Saint John’s (MN) Johnnies | 10-1 | 8-0 (MIAC Champs) | 33.2 / 13.2 | #4 (Off: #15; Def: #6) |
| UW-River Falls Falcons | 10-1 | 7-0 (WIAC Champs) | 38.6 / 14.8 | #3 (Off: #5; Def: #18) |
Saint John’s seeks a 6th national title (last in 2009); River Falls chases its first playoff win beyond Round 2.
Series History
These non-conference foes have no prior football meetings, making this a fresh chapter in Upper Midwest lore. No shared history in any sport yields direct intel, but stylistic parallels (both run-heavy, defensive-minded) suggest a low-scoring affair. River Falls’ home playoff debut adds unpredictability—Johnnies are 4-2 in true road playoff games historically.
Betting Trends
Saint John’s: 8-3 ATS overall; 6-2 O/U on road (defensive tilts). 5-3 ATS as underdogs; public 58% on Johnnies ML.
UW-River Falls: 9-2 ATS at home; 7-1 O/U in wins but 4-3 ATS vs. Top-10 teams. Falcons 6-1 SU in last 7; public 62% on home cover.
Head-to-Head: N/A, but MIAC vs. WIAC games 6-4 O/U last 10 (avg. total: 49 pts). Trends lean Falcons cover but under in a playoff grinder.
Historical Betting Results (N/A – No Prior Meetings)
No series history means no ATS or O/U data. Comparable MIAC-WIAC matchups: Hosts 7-3 ATS; 5-5 O/U.
Final Prediction: UW-River Falls 24, Saint John’s 20
Game Odds
Saint Joseph’s (MN) Johnnies 47.5
UW-River Falls Falcons – 3.5
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odd Direct as of Friday, December 5, 2025
