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Live StatsTHIS WEEK'S GAME: Both UW-Stout (1-2, 0-0 WIAC) and UW-Oshkosh (0-3, 0-0 WIAC), will be coming off the bye week, as the Blue Devils head to Oshkosh, Saturday, Oct. 4 in the conference opener at Titan Stadium. Both teams are coming off losses, Sept. 20. Stout dropped a 45-14 decion at ninth ranked Warrburg College and Oshkosh lost a 45-3 contest ot Football Championship Subdivision South Dakota State.
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ON THE AIR: WMEQ 880 AM Radio will provide broadcast coverage for the season with Pete Knutson and Jake Bostrom providing commentary during the games.Â
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.Â
Live Stats will be available for all home games. Â
WEEKLY INTERVIEW: UW-Stout head coach
Clayt Birmingham will speak with Jimmie Kaska on Sports Radio 1400 in Eau Claire Saturday mornings at approximately 11:15 a.m. about the upcoming game and last week's game. A link to the weekly broadcast is available here.
This week's interview. |
Weekly InterviewsLAST TIME OUT: UW-Stout: The Blue Devils surrendered six passing touchdowns, three in the second period, and were passed over at ninth ranked Wartburg College, Sept. 20. After the Knights scored their first TD of the game five minutes into the game, the Blue Devils tied the game five minutes later when Stout put together a two-play drive by their running back tandem.
Adolfo Pacheco rolled off a 47 yard run and
Tanner Kuehn finished the drive 2ith a 27 yard TD scamper. Trailing 35-7, Stout would get their final score of the game, a two-yard TD pass play from
Aaron Koerner to
Aaron Jenny.  Wartburg tallied 571 yards of offense, 344 passing, 227 yards rushing. Stout finished with 238 yards of total offense, 175 yards rushing, 63 passing. Kuehn ran for a career-best 88 yards on 18 carries. Pacheco carried the ball 13 times for 85 yards. |Â
Complete Story and Box ScoreLAST TIME OUT: UW-Oshkosh: Zach Zenner rushed for 209 yards and three first-half touchdowns as NCAA Division I South Dakota State University defeated UW-Oshkosh, 41-3, on Saturday (Sept. 20) in Brookings, S.D. The game was played in front of a crowd of 13,731 fans. South Dakota State University, which entered the contest ranked 10th in the Football Championship Subdivision (FCS), led 21-0 after the first quarter. The Jackrabbits scored all of their points in the final 6:26 of the period, including touchdowns runs of two and 36 yards by Zenner. South Dakota State University (3-1) also scored on a 38-yard touchdown pass from Zach Lujan to Jason Schneider.  UW-Oshkosh, which was playing its first NCAA Division I opponent since 1975 (Eastern Kentucky University), scored its only points on Nate Ray's 24-yard field goal with 2:52 remaining. Ray also had a 52-yard field goal attempt in the second quarter blocked. The Titans totaled 236 yards of offense, with 164 coming in the air. Dylann Rauch completed 15-of-22 passes for 85 yards, while Brett Kasper completed all six of his passes for 79 yards. Joe Sommers caught five passes for 89 yards and Craig Schommer five passes for 12 yards.  |  Complete Story and Box Score
WHEN THEY LAST MET: Missed opportunities and turnovers proved to be the difference in the game, as UW-Stout fell to the eighth ranked Titans of UW-Oshkosh 28-26 on a rainy Oct. 3, 2013, at Don and Nona Williams Stadium. In a game that looked like a blow-out early, the Blue Devils never gave up, coming back from a 21-0 first quarter deficit, outscoring Oshkosh 26-7 the rest of the way. The Blue Devils scored on six straight possessions, but had to settle for field goals on four of them despite driving inside the opponent's 20-yard line on all six. Stout's defense came up with a number of big stops, none bigger than a goal line stand with a minute to go that gave the Blue Devils a chance to win at the end. With the rain coming down, Stout began the drive on their own one yard line trailing 28-26 with a minute to go. A roughing the passer call combined with an unsportsmanlike conduct on the very first play gave the Blue Devils a huge boost, setting them up on the 31 yard line on first down. | Complete Story and Box Score.Â
THE SERIES: The Titans lead the series, 34-23-1. The Titans have won the last four games. Stout's last win over the Titans came in the 2010 season, a 28-14 win in Menomonie.
WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: The Blue Devils will be without the services of quarterback and team captain Hank Kujak (Sr, Blair), who is out for the season after an injury in the opening game at Dakota Wesleyan. Sophomore Aaron Koerner (Colby) will take over under center for the Blue Devils moving forward. In his first collegiate start at quarterback, Koerner led Stout to a 21-17 victory over Loras College, throwing for 173 yards and three touchdowns, all to receiver Aaron Jenny (Sr, Spicer, Minn.)... Jenny, a former All-WIAC selection in basketball, grabbed eight passes for 107 yards last week. He caught touchdowns of 30, six, and three yards, his third coming on an acrobatic, one-handed catch in the corner of the endzone. The last time a Stout player caught  three touchdowns in a game was when tight end Patrick Mengellkoch accomplished the feat against UW-Oshkosh n Nov. 4, 2009. The last time a Stout wide receiver caught three TDs in a game was on Sept. 3, 2005, when Jessie Wendt caught a trio of scores against Upper Iowa. Over the last four years, three players scored three TDSs in a single game: RB Adolfo Pacheco on Oct. 26, 2013 vs. Plattevile, QB Michael Blizel vs. Stevens Point on Oct. 6, 2012, and RB Craig Warminski on Oct. 30, 2010 against La Crosse. Jenny added another TD catch in the loss to Wartburg, bringing his season total to four, which is tied for most in the WIAC. On the year, he has caught 11 passes for 118 yards... Stout's receiving corps also features a lot of experience, as seniors Matt Small (Atwater, Calif.), Cody Rosemeyer (Gilman), and Zak Snell (Gastaic, Calif.) have been solid contributors over the course of their collegiate careers. Rosemeyer caught at least three passes in every game last season and had continued that trend into this season as well before catching only two passes against Wartburg. In the first two games of the year, Rosemeyer hauled in five passes for 92 yards in the opener and seven for 58 in the win over Loras. His season totals of 14 receptions and 174 yards are both tops on the team. A year ago, Rosemeyer finished third on the team in yards and receptions, catching 40 passes for 456 yards and a touchdown. Small also started off the year in a strong fashion after filling more of a supporting role last season, setting career-highs in receptions and yards in the season opener with four catches for 72 yards and a touchdown. Snell has stepped right back into his jack-of-all-trades role, helping out wherever the Blue Devils need him... Tight end Reggie Kujak (Jr, Blair) also figures to be a key part of the passing attack. Kujak caught three touchdowns a year ago. Fellow tight end Ben Hall (Jr, North Palm Beach Gardens, Flor.) caught a pass from Koerner for a two-point conversion in the fourth against Loras to put the Blue Devils up by seven... Running back Adolfo Pacheco (So, South Elgin, Ill.) leads the Blue Devil rushing attack, averaging 86.7 rushing yards per game after going for 85 on 13 carries against Wartburg. He has 260 total yards rushing. Senior Tanner Kuehn (Fairchild) joins Pacheco in the backfield as a shifty, change-of-pace back, while also handling punt and kick return duties. Kuehn set a career high with 88 yards and a touchdown against Wartburg. He has 101 yards for the season...
On the defensive side of the ball, Stout welcomes back safety Collin Laursen (Jr, Mondovi), who missed most of last season with an injury. in 2012, he was a second team All-WIAC selection when he recorded 78 tackles, including 9.5 for loss. His fourth quarter interception against Loras helped Stout seal the victory. Laursen has defended three passes and has two breakups on the year while also ranking fourth on the team with 17 tackles, 13 solo. Joining him in the secondary are safeties Tyler Naatz (Sr, Menomonie) and Austin Ludowese (So, Stewart, Minn.). Naatz, a team captain, is a two-time all-conference honorable mention pick and led the team with six pass breakups last year. He was also third on the team with 62 tackles. This year, Ludowese has been one of the surest tacklers for Stout, with 18 tackles (10 solo), good for third on the team. Naatz broke up a pass and recorded eight tackles against Dakota Wesleyan and followed that performance up with seven tackles in each of the last two contests. His 22 total tackles are good for second on the team, right behind fellow captain, senior linebacker Luke Bakkum (Oconomowoc). Bakkum has had at least eight tackles in every game so far this year and leads the team with 27, including 21 solo. The teams leading tackler a year ago, Bakkum has made a seamless transition back to the linebacker position after playing safety for the majority of last season. Against Wartburg, he recorded eight tackles, including 3.5 for loss and 1.5 sacks, bumping his season totals to nine tackles for loss, and 4.5 sacks, both tops on the team. The linebacker next to Bakkum is Kyle Hoefft (Jr, Morton, Ill.). Hoefft is fifth on the team with 16 tackles, nine solo, after recording seven tackles against Loras. Jack Ihrke (So, Plainview, Minn.) also figures to factor in the rotation at linebacker, turning in a strong opening game, with 2.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks against Dakota Wesleyan. At cornerback, Grant Miller (So, Pleasonton, Cali.) has an interception on the season....  Senior defensive linemen Jamie Rohrig (Owatonna, Minn.) and Alec Zoern (Germantown) each had a sack in the opener, while Zoern also contributed seven tackles. In the teams home opener, Zoern had two tacles for loss, including a sack. He also recovered a fumble in the end zone, ending a late drive by Loras. Zoern is tied with Iyen Ogbomoh (Fr, Olympia Fields, Ill.) for second on the team in sacks, with two apiece. As a unit, the Blue Devil defense ranks tied for first in the WIAC with 13 total sacks on the season. Seven players have recorded at least a half a sack for Stout... Kicker Taylor Pahl (Fr, Hortonville) got his collegiate career off on the right foot, drilling both his field goal attempts from 28 and 34 yards out in the season opener. In each of the last two games, freshman Clark Riedel (Waukesha) has been called on to punt 11 times. Against Wartburg, Koerner also punted once for team total of 12, which tied a Blue Devil team record set during the 1939 football season against Gustavus Adolphus...
As a team, the Blue Devils are being outscored, 18.0–28.3 points per game. Their opponents are also gaining more yardage per contest, 259.7-438.3 (113.0-135.7 on the ground, 146.7-302.7 through the air).Â
WHO'S WHO: UW-Oshkosh: Coming off a loss to Division I South Dakota State, the Titans sit at 0-3 heading into the conference schedule. Oshkosh has gained most of their offensive yardage through the air, averaging almost twice as many passing yards as rushing (153.0 passing, 73.3 rushing yards per game) despite runnign the ball 11 more times than they have thrown it. Quarterback Dylann Rauch has 380 yards on the year while completing 57.4 percent of his passes (39-68). He also has a pair of touchdown tosses on the year. His favorite target has been tight end Joe Sommers, who leads the team in receptions (10) and yards (186). Receivers Zach Kasuboski and Craig Schommer have also been featured in the passing attack, grabbing seven passes apiece. Kasuboski has a touchdown reception and is second on the team with 102 yards. Kyle Newhouse has also caught a TD pass... Kicker Nate Ray leads the WIAC in field goal percentage, hitting 5-7 of his attempts (71.4 percent) including a long of 37. He has also hit three of four extra point tries on the year. Ray is also the team's punter, averaging 42.1 yards per punt while dropping three kicks inside the opponent's 20-yard line... Kick returner John Eagan has a long return of 78 yards on the year and averages 26.2 yards per return, good for second in the conference... Eagan also has been a big contributor in the secondary, with an interception and 14 tackles (10 solo). Linebacker Branden Lloyd is Oshkosh's leading tackler with 20 (13 solo) over the first three games. Cody Huemmer has been a force up front, with 4.5 tackles for loss and two sacks to start the year. Huemmer has also forced a fumble. The linebacking duo of Kevin MacCudden and Corey Sigler have also each forced and recovered a fumble this year... As a team, Oshkosh is averaging 14.0 ppg while giving up 30.7. The Titans are also being outgained in total yardage (226.3-419.3 ypg), rushing yardage (73.3-196.0 ypg) and passing yardage (153.0-223.3).Â
THE MATCHUP:Â Comparing the numbers:
|     Stout   | WIAC Rank | | WIAC Rank | UW-Oshkosh |
|---|
| 18.0 | 5 | PPG | 7 | 14.0 |
| 28.3 | 6 | Opp. PPG | 7 | 30.7 |
| 146.7 | 8 | Pass Yds | 7 | 153.0 |
| 113.0 | 5 | Rush Yds | 8 | 73.3 |
| -1 (5-6) | 6 | Turnover +/- | 5 | 0 (4-4) |
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Running back Tanner Kuehn was named offensive player of the week, linebacker Luke Bakkum was named defensive player of the week and punter Clark Riedel was selected as special teams player of the week. Wide receiver Walker Olson was the offensive scout team player of the week and defensive lineman Chris Westman was the defensive scout team player of the week..
TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2014 season include quarterback Hank Kujak (Sr, Blair), defensive back Tyler Naatz (Sr, Menomonie) and linebacker Luke Bakkum (Sr, Oconomowoc).
ODDS AND ENDS: Quarterback Hank Kujak threw for 2183 yards – the most yards by a Stout quarterback since Matt Bunyan threw for 3220 yards during the 1998 seasons – and tossed 11 touchdown passes last season...Alec Zoern led all WIAC defensive linemen in tackles with 48...Zak Snell is a jack-of-all-trades. In addition to playing wide receiver where he caught nine passes and a TD, Snell is a key performer on special teams and is utilized all over the field on offense. Snell is one of the few players in Blue Devil history who, throughout the course of his career, has completed a pass, rushed for yardage, caught passes, returned punts, served as a punter, returned kickoffs and served as the place kicker on the kickoff team....sophomore running back Adolfo Pacheco recorded 965 rushing yards - the most by a Blue Devil freshman since Luke Bundgaard ran for 1,366 yards in 2000 (as a red-shirt freshman)...Senior linebacker Luke Bakkum was fourth in the WIAC with 94 total tackles...The Blue Devils play just four home games in 2014 and have nearly a one month gap from their first home game to their second (Sept. 13 to Oct. 11).
THE COACHES: UW-Stout:Â Â
Clayt Birmingham (19-24) is in his fifth 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. Â
UW-Oshkosh:
Pat Cerroni (47-29) is in his eighth year as the head coach of the Titans. UW-Oshkosh's 119-year history features nine seasons of seven-plus wins, and four of those campaigns were under Cerroni, the school's 23rd head coach. Cerroni has guided the Titans to a 47-26 record (.644 winning percentage), including an 8-2 mark in 2013.
COACHING STAFFÂ
Travis Destache returns as the defensive coordinator along with
Chris Morton, defensive line,
Jed Stutzman, running backs, First year coaches are:
Pat McAvoy, offensive line and run game coordinator; Chase Vogel, quarterbacks and pass game coordinator;
Kody Morgan, cornerbacks; and
Bob Lichty, linebackers. (Lichty actually returns to the Blue Devil coaching staff after more than 30 years. Lichty coached under Sten Pierce in the 1970s)
Joe Gerber returns as a graduate student coach working with the tight ends; Student coaches include:.
Ricky Marteney, kickers;
Jake Schiff, defensive backs;
David Reyes, offensive line;
Trevor Morning, receivers.
THE LEAGUES: UW-Stout is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Stout (4-6, 2-5 WIAC) and finished sixth in league play. In a
conference preseason poll, Stout is predicted to finish sixth. Wartburg College is a member of the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (IIAC) and are picked to win the league.
SEASON HONORS: Returners to the 2014 season that were 2013 All-WIAC selections include:
Jamie Rohrig,
Adolfo Pacheco,
Tyler Naatz,
Luke Bakkum...Bakkum is a 2014 D3football.com preseason All-American second team selection...Bakkum, Rohrig,
Tyler Naatz, and
Hank Kujak were 2014 USA Football Division III preseason honorable mention All-America selections...The following honors were for the 2013 season...
Brian Alvarez was named the UW-Stout Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after catching 10 passes for 120 yards against UW-River Falls...
Ricky Marteney was named to the D3football.com and the Beyond Sports Network teams of the week after booting two PATS and going 4-for-4 in field goals against UW-Oshkosh. He was also the UW-Stout Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week...
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 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
24 comp, 43 att, 262 yds 2 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 26, 2013
23 comp, 45 att, 250 yds vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 12, 2013
19 comp, 42 att, 243 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2013
21 comp, 34 att, 237 yds, 1 TD vs. University of Jamestown, Sept. 14, 2013
18 comp, 37 att, 224 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 9, 2013
20 comp, 36 att, 215 yds, 3 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
Tanner Kuehn - Rushing
18 carries, 88 yards, 1 TD vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 20, 2014
17 carries, 65 yards vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2013
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 Pacheco - Rushing
28 carries, 194 yards, 3 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 26, 2013
25 carries, 143 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 16, 2013
27 carries, 139 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 9, 2013
24 carries, 124 yards, 2 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
35 carries, 118 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 13, 2014
13 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2013
13 carries, 85 yards, vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 20, 2014
16 carries, 67 yards vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 7, 2013
14 carries, 65 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 19, 2013
8 carries, 65 yards vs. North Central College, Sept. 21, 2013
Cody Rosemeyer - Receiving
7 receptions, 98 yards vs. University of Jamestown, Sept. 14, 2013
5 receptions, 92 yards vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 6, 2014
5 receptions, 75 yards vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2013
7 receptions, 58 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 13, 2014
4 receptions, 55 yards vs. North Central College, Sept 21, 2013
3 receptions, 42 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 16, 2013
Aaron Jenny - Receiving
8 receptions, 107 yards, 3 TDs vs. Loras College, Sept. 13, 2014
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
4 receptions, 72 yards vs. Dakota Wesleyan, Sept. 6, 2014
3 receptions, 54 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2012
3 receptions, 37 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
3 receptions, 33 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 19, 2013
3 receptions, 32 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2012
Reggie Kujak - Receiving
3 receptions, 26 yards, 2 TDÂ vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
3 receptions, 23 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 26, 2013
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
381 - Dylan Jones (Loras College), Sept. 13, 2014
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
238 - Nate Even (Loras College), Sept. 13, 2014
Most TDs Scored in a Game
4 - Luke Bundgaard vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003
STOUT FOOTBALL HISTORY: 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 during the 2011 season. |Â A 10-week series on Stout football is available.
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: The Blue Devils will host defending national champion UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Oct. 11 in the Blue Devils' annual homecoming contest beginning at 2 p.m.
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