RIPON, Wis. - Entering Saturday's Midwest Conference game against Illinois College, the Red Hawks thought they would only have to contend with the Blueboys. It turned out that they would also have to battle mother nature, as there was rain virtually all game, with it getting worse as the game wore on. In the end though, Ripon defeated both obstacles, as they took down Illinois College 31-21.

The game started out much like the weather. The two teams were raining points upon each other. Ripon (3-1, 3-0) started the scoring, as quarterback Bob Faulds displayed some shifty moves to score on a 48 yard touchdown run, just three minutes into the contest. On Illinois College's ensuing possession, Red Hawk cornerback Brad Fehly intercepted a Pete Jennings pass and took it 60 yards for the score, putting Ripon up 14-0. The Blueboys (2-2, 2-1) were undeterred however, as they scored two touchdowns late in the quarter to tie the game as the two teams entered the second period.

"I knew the start of that game was a bit of a fluke," head coach Ron Ernst said. "There's no way the two teams could continue that pace and have an Arena Football type game. Both teams adjusted and I knew it was going to be a close game, which it was."

Fehly's touchdown marks the third consecutive game that the Red Hawks have scored a defensive touchdown, which is something that has paid off from working hard in practice.

"Our defense stepped up once again. We talk to the kids about being playmakers and taking some chances and making some plays," Ernst said. "We've got great athletes and they need to make plays, which they've shown they can."

The Red Hawks scored the only points of the second quarter, scoring two touchdowns, on a 1 yard Faulds run and a 15 yard TDÂ pass from Faulds to Matt Hartman, putting them up 28-14 at halftime. After the half however, the weather got much worse, with the rain coming down twice as hard.

"The weather will affect you if you let it and I didn't see it affecting our playcalling. I don't think it affected the game much at all because both teams have to play in it," Ernst said.

Illinois College closed the gap in the third quarter, as Pete Jennings connected with Joe Reed for a 19 yard pass. The Blueboys would keep things interesting in the fourth period, but could not capitalize on several opportunities. Ripon's Joshua Kraemer and Vince Spraate ended two Blueboy drives late in the game as each player intercepted a pass. The Ripon defense ended the day with four interceptions.

"I thought our kids really did a nice job. Illinois College was doing some things that was hurting us, but we adjusted, and this was just a great team win for our program," Ernst said.

With the win, Ernst now has 99 victories for his career. He will look to hit triple digits next weekend as the Red Hawks will travel to Carroll College, who defeated Ripon 42-13 in Waukesha last season.

They've been playing very well so far this year and they always play well at home," said Ernst. "We played horrible down there last year, so we have an awful lot to come back and prove this year."

Saturday's game will begin at 1:30 p.m. and can be heard live on WRPN-AM 1600, as well as streamed live via their website www.wrpnam.com.