RIVER FALLS, Wis. - Last season, the Minnesota Morris defense forced 23 turnovers over 10 games, an average of 2.3 per game. In Saturday's season-opening game at UW-River Falls, the Cougar defense forced five Falcon turnovers in non-conference football action.

Despite the turnovers, UW-River Falls was able to put 41 points on the board in defeating the Cougars, 41-0.

The Cougars were able to move into Falcon territory twice in the opening quarter, but came away with no points. UMM drove 59 yards on 10 plays on their opening drive. On a fourth-and-3 from the UWRF 7, Falcon defender Alex Wood intercepted a pass in the end zone. On the Cougars' next possession, UMM reached the UWRF 29 before getting stopped on another fourth down attempt.

UMM's defense held the Falcons scoreless in the first quarter. The Falcons would break the scoreless tie early in the second quarter as Sam Altena scored the first of his three rushing touchdowns as the Falcons would score 28 second quarter points to take command.

Four of UMM's five forced turnovers came in the second half. Early in the third quarter, Brady Jergenson forced a fumble that Preston Fifarek recovered as the Falcons' were driving deep into Cougar territory. In the fourth quarter Jared Oviok cut in front of a swing pass to make an interception. Patrick Murphy recovered a fumble on UWRF's next possession. Later Fifarek recovered another fumble.

Last season's UMAC leading tackler Drew Shipley led the Cougars with 15 stops. Fifarek and Cole Kvistero added nine each.

Minnesota Morris (0-1) heads west to North Dakota for another non-conference game at Valley City State next Saturday.