Football Preview: Blue Devils to take on defending champion Titans

THIS WEEK'S GAME:  UW-Stout (2-1, 0-0 WIAC) will open the WIAC portion of the schedule when they host defending WIAC champion, eighth-ranked UW-Oshkosh, (3-0, 0-0 WIAC) Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. The game is featured as a Bring A Kid to a Game Day, a program sponsored by the NCAA to encourage youth to attend college football games at all levels.
ON THE AIR: WMEQ 880 AM Radio will provide broadcast coverage for the season.  WMEQ will also audio stream the games. At home games, WMEQ will provide the audio portion for Live Video streaming of all home football games, network providing.  Live Stats will be available for all home games.  

AT THE WATER COOLER: Hang out with UW-Stout coach Clayt Birmingham at the Water Cooler, on Sports Radio 1400 in Eau Claire. Birmingham will speak with Water Cooler host Jimmie Kaska weekly about the upcoming game and the previous week's game. Birmingham's segment will air Wednesdays during the season at approximately 5:15 p.m. A link to the weekly broadcast is available here. 

LAST TIME OUT: UW-Stout: The Blue Devils were handed their first loss of the season, falling 41-14 to 6th-ranked North Central College last Saturday. Stout fell behind early as the Cardinals scored 41 points before two late drives got the Blue Devils on the board. The defense was unable to find an answer for the high-powered offensive attack of North Central, as they racked up 584 yards of total offense. Defensively, the Blue Devils were led by Jake Schiff (Sr, South Range), who had an interception and recorded eight tackles, six solo. The interception was the first of his collegiate career.  Tyler Naatz (Jr, Menomonie) and Luke Bakkum (Jr, Oconomowoc) each reached double digits in tackles, with Naatz recording 15 (seven solo) and Bakkum contributing 10 (five solo). On offense, quarterback Hank Kujak (Jr, Blair) threw for 170 yards, but was picked off once as well. Tanner Kuehn (Jr, Fairchild) and Adolfo Pacheco (Fr, South Elgin, Ill.) shouldered the rushing attack for the Blue Devils, with Kuehn rushing for 44 yards and a touchdown while Pacheco picked up 65 yards on only eight carries. Back-up quarterback Sawyer Moon (Fr, Woodbury, Minn.) came in for the last drive and completed 2-of-3 passes for 43 yards, including a 39 yard scoring strike to receiver Zak Snell. Snell had three grabs for 45 yards on the afternoon. Cody Rosemeyer led all Stout receivers with four catches and 55 yards while Brian Alvarez chipped in five receptions and 45 yards. 

LAST TIME OUT: UW-Oshkosh: Nick Olla completed 17-of-26 passes for 265 yards and three touchdowns as the Titans dominated Alma College, 56-3. Caleb Voss caught two TD receptions and Cole Myrha ran for two more as Oshkosh piled up 555 yards of total offense, while holding Alma to 75 total yards. Oshkosh racked up 30 first downs and scored 21 points in each of the second and third periods. Oshkosh forced Alma to punt 11 times and scored six of the seven times they were in the red zone. The week earlier, the Titans were able to come away with a 34-13 win over Marian University of Indiana, ranked #2 in the NAIA last week, breaking a 13-13 tie on a Ryan Stefanik interception return late in the second quarter. Oshkosh would go on to score 21 unanswered points en route to the victory. Running back Cole Myhra carried the load for the Titan offense, rushing 29 times for 121 yards and 2 TDs. The Titans defense had six sacks and 13 tackles for loss on the day.

WHEN THEY MET LAST YEAR: The Titans, who were ranked 5th in the nation at the time, defeated the Blue Devils 27-18 in the season finale last year. After falling behind 14-0 in the first quarter, Stout came back with 18 unanswered points in the second and went into the half with the lead. Oshkosh tightened up in the second half however, outscoring Stout 13-0 for a  27-18 win. Blue Devil running back Eric Brown rushed for 136 yards and caught two passes for 86 yards including a 61-yard touchdown reception. 

THE SERIES: Stout and Oshkosh have played each other every year since 1962, with UW-Oshkosh leading the series 33-23-1. Oshkosh has won the last three meetings, outscoring the Blue Devils 56-10, 35-3, and 27-18.

WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: Offense: Running backs Tanner Kuehn and Adolfo Pacheco have been leading the way on the ground, with 154 and 176 rushing yards, respectively. Kuehn has both the Blue Devils rushing touchdowns this season.Leading the way for both backs are guard David Reyes and tackle Devon Greiber, both starters last season. Reyes was a second team all-WIAC selection as a junior and earned preseason honorable mention honors by USA Football. The offensive line, which includes first-year starters Alex Jorgenson, Kevin Russell, and David Koronkiewicz, has also been doing a great job in pass protection, allowing only one sack thus far. With time to throw, quarterback Hank Kujak is averaging 226.3 yards passing per game with four touchdowns and only two interceptions on the season. He also has 105 rushing yards on the year, good for third on the team. His favorite target, Trevor Morning, is already halfway to his reception and yardage total from a year ago. With 18 grabs for 342 yards with three touchdowns, he has already matched last season's touchdown total. In the first two games of the year, he went over 100 yards receiving in consecutive games for the first time in his career, with 212 yards in the opener and 107 in week 2. Opposite Morning, Cody Rosemeyer has turned in a solid performances back-to-back, catching a career high seven passes for 98 yards against Jamestown and four for 55 last week at North Central. Rosemeyer has 15 catches for 184 yards and a touchdown. Brian Alvarez is the other Blue Devil with double digit receptions, with 11 grabs for 78 yards. Zak Snell caught his first touchdown of the year against North Central, a 39-yard pass from back-up QB Sawyer Moon. Snell has resumed his role as every down man for the Blue Devils, as he has kicked off, punted, returned kicks, carried the ball twice, and caught five passes on the season. For his efforts, he was the team's week one special teams player of the week. Kicker Ricky Marteney has gone 4-5 on field goal attempts and 5-5 on extra points this year. He currently sits in third-place on Stout's all-time scoring list. The Blue Devils are averaging 416.3 yards of total offense, 159.3 on the ground, 257.0 through the air.

Defense: Linebacker Luke Bakkum leads the team in tackles with 31, 15 solo. He also has one of Stout's two sacks on the season. Defensive tackle Jamie Rohrig also has a sack. In the secondary, Tyler Naatz is second on the team in tackles with 27, 11 solo. Cornerback Dominque Rhodes (Jr, Milwaukee) and safety Damian Guggenbuehl each have an interception on the year. Defensive back Jake Schiff turned in a solid outing against the Cardinals last week, recording 8 tackles, 6 solo and picking off a pass. Defensive lineman Alec Zoern (Jr, Germantown) has been a force up front, recording 2.5 tackles for loss as well as forcing a fumble in the season opener. Spencer Adler (Sr, Little Chute) returned from injury last week and 8 tackles, 4 solo and 1.5 tackles for loss. David Lindell rounds out the linebackers and is third on the team with 23 tackles, 9 solo. Defensive end David Goebel is a four year starter for the Blue Devils and the two-time all-WIAC honorable mention selection has started all 30 games since arriving on campus as a freshman. This is his first season on the defensive line, playing fullback his first three seasons. Stout's total defense finished fourth in the WIAC last season, up from sixth the previous two seasons. Naatz finished second in the WIAC in tackles last year and Lindell finished fifth in tackles for loss (12.0). Stout is allowing 423.3 yards of total offense, 160.0 rushing, 263.3 by pass. 

WHO'S WHO: UW-Oshkosh: Oshkosh has relied heavily on their defense so far this year and the unit hasn't disappointed. The Titans have sacked opposing quarterbacks 13 times already to go along with six interceptions. Leading the way is the linebacking corp of Reese Dziedzic, Beau Steffens, and Ryan Stefaniak. Dziedzic leads the team with 22 tackles, 12 solo, including a sack and three tackles for loss. Stefaniak has recorded 17  tackles, 14 solo while also contributing 2.5 sacks and an interception. Steffens has 19 tackles, nine solo. DL Dexter Charles matches Stefaniak with 2.5 sacks and Austin Blashka has two interceptions. On the offensive side of things, running back Cole Myhra receives the bulk of the carries, carrying 62 times for 247 yards and six TDs. Under center the Titans have quarterback Nick Olla, who is completing 56.8 percent of his passes for 769 yards and five TDs. Caleb Voss is the team's leading receiver with 11 catches for 190 yards and two TDs. Myhra has hauled in nine passes for 112 yards. Zach Kasuboski has eight catches for 109 yards and a score and Cory Wipperfurth has made the most of his five catches, going a total of 165 yards and two TDs, including a 67-yard scoring strike. 

THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

Stout  (3 games)	WIAC Rank		Rank	UW-Oshkosh (2 games)
20.67	n/a	PPG	n/a	29.0
22.67	n/a	Opp. PPG	n/a	16.5
257.0	n/a	Pass Yds	n/a	252.0
159.3	n/a	Rush Yds	n/a	164.5
+1	n/a	Turnover +/-	n/a	-2

TOUGH ROAD AHEAD: In the latest Division III coaches poll, Stout was one of  four WIAC schools that received votes. Stevens Point, #9 Oshkosh, #7 Whitewater, and #6 Platteville were the other schools representing the WIAC. Including last weeks match-up versus #4 North Central, the Blue Devils will face four opponents ranked inside the top ten over the course of a five game stretch. 


October 12, at #7 UW-Whitewater (2-0,0-0)

 

Stout		Whitewater
20.67	PPG	36.0
22.67	Opp. PPG	10.5
257.0	Pass Yds	201.5
159.3	Rush Yds	126.0
+1	Turnover +/-	+6

October 26, with #6 UW-Platteville (3-0, 0-0)

 

Stout		Platteville
20.67	PPG	47.7
22.67	Opp. PPG	25.0
257.0	Pass Yds	329.0
159.3	Rush Yds	207.3
+1	Turnover +/-	+2

November 16, with UW-Stevens Point (2-0,0-0)

 

Stout		Stevens Point
20.67	PPG	40.0
22.67	Opp. PPG	24.0
257.0	Pass Yds	226.5
159.3	Rush Yds	273.5
+1	Turnover +/-	-1

CLIMBING THE LADDER: Kicker Ricky Marteney continues his climb up the Blue Devil all-time scoring list. Marteney missed his first field goal attempt of the year against North Central, pulling his kick wide right from 22 yards out. He did add two extra points however, remaining a perfect 5-5 on PAT tries. Marteney now has 17 points on the year to put him at 180 for his career, and in sole possession of third on the Stout all-time scoring list. He also holds the record for most career field goals by any UW-Stout kicker with 39 makes.

TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains include offensive lineman Devon Greiber (Sr, Waunakee), senior fullback David Goebel (Sr, Minnetonka, Minn), quarterback Hank Kujak (Jr, Blair), linebacker David Lindell (Sr, New Richland, Minn),  offensive lineman David Reyes (Sr, Riverside, Calif) and wide receiver Trevor Morning (Sr, Bloomer).

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (16-17) is in his fourth year as the UW-Stout head coach. Before coming to Stout, Birmingham coached at Western Michigan, Emporia College and UW-Stevens Point. Birmingham was the UW-Stout defensive coordinator for three years before assuming the head coaching role. Birmingham played his college football at UW-Stevens Point.   UW-Oshkosh:  Pat Cerroni (39-24, before Alma game} is in his seventh season as the Titans' head coach. Cerroni has lifted the UW-Oshkosh football program to a higher level in his six years as head coach. During 2012, the Titans made their first NCAA Division III playoff appearance and won their first WIAC title in 36 years.

COACHING CHANGES: Longtime Blue Devil coaches Mark Thomas and MIke Bird have left the UW-Stout football program. Thomas will step away from the football program to devote more time with his women's basketball program and Bird is now full-time as the program director of the school's Health, Wellness and Fitness major.  Travis Destache and Bodie Reeder return as the defensive and offensive coordinators, respectively. New to the program are: Dane Wardenburg, offensive line; Chris Morton, defensive line, Del Howard, defensive backs, John O'Grady, running backs and assistant head coach; Jed Stutzman, offensive line, and Rich Rossi, wide receivers. Student coaches include: Kyle Lenski, defensive line; Joe Gerber, offensive line; and Eric Brown, running backs.

THE LEAGUES: UW-Stout and UW-Oshkosh are both members of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Stout finished tied for sixth last season (3-7, 1-6 WIAC) in league play. Oshkosh finished a perfect 7-0 in conference and 13-1 overall on their way to a conference championship a year ago.

QUICK HITS:  In the first two games, receiver Trevor Morning topped 100 yards receiving, the first time he has reached the century mark in back-to-back games. Last season, Morning totaled 33 receptions for 655 yards and three touchdowns. Through the first two games of this season, he has 18 receptions for 342 yards and three touchdowns. His two receiving touchdowns against Dakota Wesleyan were the most in a game for a Stout receiver since he accomplished the same feat against UW-Whitewater on Oct. 14, 2011... The Blue Devils have had no trouble grinding out yards on the ground, averaging 159.3 yards per game.Tanner Kuehn (43 carries), Adolfo Pacheco (32), and Hank Kujak (23) lead the rushing attack. No other Blue Devil has more than 5 attempts. Pacheco is averaging 5.5 YPA and Kuehn has 2 rushing touchdowns.... Kujak has completed 59.2% of his passes for 679 yards, an average of 226.3 per game. Against Dakota Wesleyan, he completed seven passes that went for 20+ yards. His 272 passing yards against Dakota Wesleyan were the most by a Stout QB since Oct. 8th 2011, when Ross Carey threw for 284 yards. Stout's team passing total of 321 yards during the same game was the most by a Stout team since Oct. 30 2004, when Nick Ohman threw for 347 against UW-La Crosse. Kujak completed passes to 8 different receivers against the Tigers...The 507 yards that Stout put up in the season opener were the most for the Blue Devils since Sep. 18, 2010 when they put up 556 against Eureka College. Stout is averaging 257 passing yards per game, up from 205.4 per game a year ago... Luke Bakkum is averaging 10.3 tackles per game. In each of the last two games he has recorded double digit tackles... Stout has posted a positive turnover differential through the first two games, recording 4 takeaways against only 2 turnovers. The secondary has recorded an interception in each game so far.

IN THE MORNING: WR Trevor Morning extended his reception streak to 23 games with one reception for 23 yards against the Cardinals. He was largely held in check after totaling 17 receptions for 319 yards over the Blue Devils first two games. Morning caught at least one pass in each game during both his sophomore and junior seasons. His 10 receptions versus Jamestown and his 212 receiving yards in the season opener against Dakota Wesleyan are both career highs for him. His 212 yards in the opener were the most by a Stout reciever since Dan Austin set the school record with 241 on Nov. 1 2003 against UW-Lacrosse...Morning's 85-yard pass reception from QB Michael Blizel against Jamestown College in the 2012 season opener was the longest reception for a Stout tandem since Matt Bunyan tossed a 98-yard TD to speedster Jesse Witcraft on Nov. 16, 1997, in the Metrodome. Morning's reception was the longest Stout play from scrimmage since TB Craig Warminski rolled off an 86-yard run, Nov. 13, 2010, in the final game of the 2010 season against UW-Oshkosh...

MARTENEY, BEST WHEN STIRRED: PK Ricky Marteney entered the 2013 season with 163 career points, tied for fifth on the all-time scoring list with fellow kicker Kevin McCauley. After three games, Marteney is 4-5 on field goal attempts and 5-5 on extra points, giving him a career total of 180, putting him in third place on the all-time scoring list...last season, Marteney matched a career-best when he booted a 43-yard field goal against Jamestown College, matching it again later in the season at UW-Eau Claire. Marteney twice kicked 43-yarders during the 2011 season, in the opening game with Black Hills State and against UW-Eau Claire...for his career, Marteney has made 63-of-65 extra point attempts... Marteney was a perfect 17-of-17 in extra points a year ago...Marteney has made 39-of-57 field goals over his career.

SEASON HONORS: Luke Bakkum was named the UW-Stout athlete of the week after recording 15 tackles against Jamestown...Hank Kujak was named the WIAC and UW-Stout athlete of the week after throwing for 272 yards and three touchdowns against Dakota Wesleyan in the season opener...Returners named to the 2012 All-WIAC second team include: DB Collin Laursen, OL David Reyes, and RS Tanner Kuehn. DB Tyler Naatz and FB David Goebel were honorable mention selections...PK Ricky Marteney was a second team pick in 2010.

TOPPERS: The following are career bests for several of Stout's offensive players
Hank Kujak - Passing
20 comp, 35 att, 272 yds, 3 TD vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 7, 2013
21 comp, 34 att, 237 yds, 1 TD vs. University of Jamestown, Sept. 14, 2013
Trevor Morning - Receiving
7 receptions, 212 yards, 2 TDs vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 7, 2013 
4 receptions, 155 yards vs. Jamestown College, Sept. 8, 2012
6 receptions, 113 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 20, 2012
10 receptions, 107 yards, 1 TD vs. University of Jamestown, Sept. 14, 2013
2 receptions, 84 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 14, 2011
4 receptions, 79 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 10, 2012 
4 receptions, 61 yards vs. UW-River Falls, Sept. 22, 2012
4 receptions, 58 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 13, 2012
Tanner Kuehn - Rushing
19 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 7, 2013
14 carries, 54 yards vs. University of Jamestown, Sept. 14, 2013
10 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD vs. North Central College, Sept. 21, 2013
Adolpho Pecheco - Rushing
16 carries, 67 yards vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 7, 2013
8 carries, 65 yards vs. North Central College, Sept. 21, 2013
David Goebel - Rushing
3 carries, 51 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 20, 2012
3 carries, 27 yards, 1 TD vs. Jamestown College, Sept. 10, 2011
Cody Rosemeyer - Receiving
7 receptions, 98 yards vs. University of Jamestown, Sept. 14, 2013
4 receptions, 55 yards vs. North Central College, Sept 21, 2013
Zak Snell - Receiving
3 receptions, 45 yards, 1 TD vs. North Central College, Sept. 21, 2013
4 receptions, 44 yards vs. UW-River Falls, Sept. 22, 2012
4 receptions, 32 yards vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 27, 2012
3 receptions, 25 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 20, 2012
Matt Small - Receiving
3 receptions, 54 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2012
3 receptions, 32 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2012
Adam Smith - Receiving
5 receptions, 36 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 14, 2011
Ricky Marteney - Field Goals
43 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2012
43 yards vs. Jamestown College, Sept. 8, 2012
43 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 1, 2011
43 yards vs. Jamestown College, Sept. 10, 2011

TEAM CAPTAINS: 2013 team captains are: offensive linemen Devon Greiber and David Reyes, quarterback Hank Kujak, fullback David Goebel, linebacker David Lindell and wide receiver Trevor Morning.

NATIONAL POLLS: The Titans are ranked eighth in the latest D3football.com Top 25 poll.

DON & NONA WILLIAMS STADIUM MARKS
Longest Pass Play
87 - Jon Bane to Anthony Muilenburg (Dakota Wesleyan) Sept. 7, 2013
85 - Michael Blizel to Trevor Morning vs. Jamestown, Sept. 8, 2012
Longest Run from Scrimmage
86 - Craig Warminski vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 13, 2010
Longest Field Goal
55 - Nick Dace (North Central College), Sept. 15, 2012
53 - Nick Dace (North Central College), Sept. 15, 2012
Longest Punt Return
80 - Craig Warminski vs. Eureka College, Sept. 18, 2010
Longest Kickoff Return
90 - Carlos Concepcion vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 23, 2010
Most Rushing Yards in a Game
328 - Luke Bundgaard vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003
207 - Taylor Edwards (UW-River Falls), Oct. 3, 2009
207 - Justin Biever (UW-Whitewater), Nov. 5, 2005
Most Yards Passing in a Game
446 - Tom Stetzer (UW-Platteville), Sept. 29, 2001
358 - Brett Borchert (UW-Stevens Point), Oct. 16, 2004
349 - Austin Neu (UW-Eau Claire), Oct. 1, 2011
Most Yards Receiving in a Game
243 - Max Boe (Jamestown), Sept. 11, 2010
Most TDs Scored in a Game
4 - Luke Bundgaard vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003

PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2013: The Blue Devils have a full slate of promotions scheduled for 2013, beginning with Dorm Days for the Sept. 7 contest with Dakota Wesleyan University. Oct. 5 vs. UW-Oshkosh is Take a Kid to a Game Day, Oct. 19 is Homecoming, Nov. 2 vs. UW-Eau Claire is both Military Appreciation Day and the annual Hall of Fame game and Nov. 16 vs. UW-Stevens Point is Senior Day.

MAX SPARGER: UW-Stout dedicated the Don & Nona Williams Stadium press box in honor of former UW-Stout athletic director and coach Max Sparger September 11, 2010. Sparger led the Blue Devil football team to the 1965 WSUC championship. After leaving Stout in 1972, Sparger served as the WSUC commissioner. Sparger is a member of the UW-Stout Hall of Fame, as well as the WIAC Hall of Fame.

102 YEARS OF STOUT FOOTBALL: Stout Institute played their first game on Nov. 4, 1911, when they lost to River Falls Normal School, 13-11. Walter Anderson scored Stout's first touchdown, an 85 yard kickoff return. A week later, Stout won their first game, 30-2, against LaCrosse Business School as Harvey Tice scored four touchdowns. The predecessor to the WIAC began in 1913 and Stout has won five conference titles - 1921, 1941, 1949, 1965 and 2000. Stout became the Blue Devils during the late 1920s or early 1930s. Football was not played during the war years of 1918, 1943, and 1944. Along the way, the school has gone through a number of name changes - Stout Institute, Stout State College, Stout State University and the University of Wisconsin-Stout. Stout celebrated 100 years of football with a season-long celebration and alumni reunion. 

DON & NONA WILLIAMS STADIUM: The Blue Devils' home stadium - Don & Nona Williams Stadium - got a facelift during the summer of 2008 when the original Astroturf-type surface was replaced with ProGrass, a surface that more closely resembles natural grass. Don & Nona Williams Stadium was only the second artificial playing surface in the state of Wisconsin when it opened in 2001. Only the Wisconsin Badgers played their games on artificial turf. The Green Bay Packers had an artificial surface in their practice facility. Now, nearly every WIAC school either has or is planning an artificial surface, and many high schools in the state have followed suit.

UP NEXT: It will be from one frying pan into another when the Blue Devils will be at UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Oct. 12 for a 2:30 p.m. game. The contest will be televised live by Fox Sports Wisconsin.