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CANTON, Ohio — Hunter McKinney, a former Pipestone Area Schools three-sport athlete, can call himself a national champion.
McKinney and the University of Wisconsin-River Falls rallied from an early deficit to defeat North Central (Ill.), 24-14, in the Stagg Bowl on Sunday, Jan. 4 at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
The NCAA Division III championship is known as the Stagg Bowl, named in honor for football player/coach Amos Alonzo Stagg.
McKinney is a senior offensive lineman for the Falcons, playing primarily tackle.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls football player Hunter McKinney (66) models a “National Champions” hat after the Falcons defeated North Central (Ill.) for the NCAA Division III title on Sunday, Jan. 4, at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton, Ohio. McKinney, a former Pipestone Area Schools player, is an offensive tackle for UWRF. (Contributed photo)
During this historic campaign, McKinney helped quarterback Kaleb Blaha earn the Gagliardi Trophy, which goes to the top player in Division III.
Blaha amassed 419 yards and three TD in the win over North Central.
In the process, Blaha broke the all-time single-season total yards record, most recently set by current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow when he played at LSU. He finished with 6,189 scrimmage yards.
This marks the first Division III national championship in UWRF program history. The Falcons also defeated Chapman (Calif.), St. John’s, Wheaton (Ill.), and Johns Hopkins (Md.) along the playoff trail.
UWRF became nationally known this season thanks to running a fast-paced “Top Gun” offense which averaged 564.1 yards in total offense per game, 47 points per contest and had 424 first downs heading into the national championship.
University of Wisconsin-River Falls offensive lineman Hunter McKinney talks with teammates on the sidelines during the NCAA Division III national championship football game on Sunday, Jan. 4, in Canton, Ohio. (Contributed photo)
McKinney was named to the D3football.com 2025 All-Region 6 second team. He also was placed on the all-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference second team.
During the national championship festivities, McKinney and the Falcons received a tour of the Pro Football Hall of Fame.
McKinney is a sports management major at UWRF, and he aspires to become a future college football coach.
Hunter McKinney is the son of Kelli Velde and Michael McKinney. He is a 2020 PAS graduate — playing football, basketball and golf while attending school.