UWRF: A Season That Redefined the Falcons

UWRF’s run to the Stagg Bowl wasn’t supposed to happen — and that’s exactly why it mattered.

Finishing 13–1, the Falcons powered through the WIAC and into the national spotlight behind an offense that bordered on unstoppable. Quarterback Kaleb Blaha engineered one of the most productive seasons in Division III history, surpassing 5,700 total yards, accounting for 50+ total touchdowns, and leading an attack that averaged over 560 yards per game.

The Falcons weren’t just fast — they were fearless.

That identity peaked in the national semifinals, where UWRF stunned Johns Hopkins 48–41 in a shootout for the ages. Blaha eclipsed 520 passing yards, and a late 79-yard touchdown strike sealed the program’s first-ever Stagg Bowl appearance.

Defensively, UWRF bent but didn’t break all season. The Falcons forced key turnovers, played situational football, and leaned on leaders like Gage Timm, whose triple-digit tackle season anchored the unit during the playoff push.

This wasn’t just a good year.
This was a program-changing one.

North Central: The Gold Standard of Division III

If UWRF represented ascent, North Central represented permanence.

The Cardinals entered Canton 14–0, appearing in their sixth straight Stagg Bowl and defending a national championship with the poise of a dynasty. Under head coach Brad Spencer, North Central had become the measuring stick for Division III excellence.

Quarterback Garret Wilson directed a balanced offense that punished defenses through the air and on the ground, while the Cardinals averaged nearly 50 points per game — one of the highest marks in the nation.

But North Central’s true strength lived on the defensive side. Disciplined, physical, and experienced, the Cardinals consistently erased explosive plays and controlled tempo. Their semifinal win over John Carroll (41–21) felt inevitable — another methodical step toward a familiar destination.

For North Central, this wasn’t about reaching the mountaintop.
It was about staying there.

Styles Make Championships

The 2026 Stagg Bowl presents one of the most compelling contrasts in recent memory:

UWRF Falcons

• High-tempo, pass-heavy offense
• Record-setting quarterback play
• First championship appearance
• Nothing to lose

North Central Cardinals

• Championship pedigree
• Elite balance on both sides of the ball
• Sixth straight title game
• Everything to defend

Why the 2026 Stagg Bowl Matters

Beyond the final score, this championship symbolized what makes Division III football special: development, belief, and opportunity. UWRF proved new programs can rise. North Central proved excellence can endure.