Football Preview: Blue Devils get season underway on the road Saturday

Live Stats | Live Video | Live Audio  | Radio: WMEQ 880 AM, Menomonie | Clayt Birmingham interview 

THIS WEEK'S GAME:  UW-Stout (0-0, 0-0 WIAC) will open the season when they travel to Mitchell, S. Dak., to take on Dakota Wesleyan University (0-0, 0-0 GPAC), Saturday, Sept. 6 at 1 p.m. The teams met for the first time last year, with Stout coming out on top with a 35-20 season opening win at Don & Nona Williams Stadium. The game is the season opener for both teams. Stout returns home the following week and will play host to Loras College, Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m., the first of four Blue Devil home games.

 

Also Online: Dakota Wesleyan Football Tiger 2013 Stats Blue Devil 2013 Stats Weekly Interview WIAC Football Last Time They Met Stout Depth Chart [PDF] Tiger Depth Chart [PDF] Radio: WMEQ Live Video: Blue Devil Video D3football

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.  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.  

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 Interviews

LAST TIME OUT: UW-Stout: Brian Alvarez and Adolfo Pacheco had big quarters at opportune times and Stout held off UW-River Falls, 19-18, Saturday. Alvarez finished the day with 120 receiving yards on 10 catches, but he he acquired 111 yards in the first half, most of them in the second quarter and the majority on a drive to end the first half where he hauled in a 42-yard pass, then caught a 24-yard touchdown to put Stout up 13-12 at halftime. Pacheco took over in the second half, getting 109 second half rushing yards to finish with 139 total rushing yards for his third consecutive 100 yard game. Pacheco scored what would prove to the game winning score when he rushed for a 20-yard TD early in the second half. Stout put up 368 yards of total offense, 224 passing, 144 rushing. Stout held the Falcons to 267 total yards of offense, 157 rushing, 110 passing.  |  Complete Story and Box Score

LAST TIME OUT: Dakota Wesleyan: The 2013 Dakota Wesleyan University football team etched its place in Tiger football history and it was rewarded  when the Great Plains Athletic Conference year-end awards were handed out.Second-year head coach Ross Cimpl was named the league's coach-of-the-year, and 14 of his athletes earned All-GPAC honors at 15 different positions. This is the first coaching honor of Cimpl's career, and it comes on the heels of one of the top three seasons in DWU football history. The Tigers finished the season 8-3 overall and 7-2 and in third in the GPAC and ranked No. 20 in the NAIA. This marks just the third season in DWU football history a team has won eight or more games in a season. The last time it happened was in 1992 when the Tigers went 10-1 and made the NAIA playoffs. The only other time was in 1976 when DWU finished 8-2.  |   Complete Story

WHEN THEY MET LAST YEAR: The UW-Stout football team opened the 2013 season in convincing fashion, defeating the Tigers of Dakota Wesleyan 35-20 behind huge days from Trevor Morning and Hank Kujak. In only his second career start, Kujak showed a brilliant command of the Blue Devil's new no-huddle offense. He ended up throwing for 262 yards and three touchdowns on 18-30 passing. He also added 47 yards on the ground on only five attempts.  Morning set a career high in receiving yards, pulling in six balls for 201 yards, including touchdown receptions of 38 and 63 yards.  | Complete Story and Box Score. 

THE SERIES: The Blue Devils lead the series, 1-0.

WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: Season Preview

WHO'S WHO: Dakota Wesleyan:  Season Preview

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: will begin after the first game...

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:   Clayt Birmingham (18-22) 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.   Dakota Wesleyan: Ross Cimpl (14-7) is in his third season as the head of the Tigers and has guided the Dakota Wesleyan University football team to one of its top three seasons in school history in 2013. In his second season as the program's head coach, Cimpl guided Dakota Wesleyan to an 8-3 overall record, marking just the third time in school history the Tigers have won eight or more games in a season. The last time was in 1992, and the only other time was in 1976. In light of his success, Cimpl was named the Great Plains Athletic Conference Coach-of-the-Year, and also the American Football Coaches Association NAIA Region 4 Coach-of-the-Year. He was one of five head coaches from around the NAIA to earn the honor.

COACHING STAFF  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.  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 ais 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.  Dakota Wesleyan (8-3, 7-2 GPAC) finished third in the Great Plains Athletic Conference (GPAC) and ranked as high as 20th in the NAIA.

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, 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
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
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
13 carries, 94 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2013
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, 75 yards vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2013
4 receptions, 55 yards vs. North Central College, Sept 21, 2013
3 receptions, 42 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 16, 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, 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 TD 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
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 2014: The Blue Devils have a full slate of promotions scheduled for 2013, beginning with Dorm Days for the Sept. 13 contest with Loras College. Oct. 11 vs. UW-Whitewater is Homecoming, Oct. 25 vs. UW-Platteville is both Military Appreciation Day and the annual Hall of Fame game and Nov. 8 vs. UW-River Falls 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.

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. |  A 10-week series on Stout football is available.

TAILGATING RETURNED IN 2009: UW-Stout has adopted a formal tailgating policy for Blue Devil football games. The south end of the parking lot by the Don and Nona Williams Stadium has been designated as a tailgating area known as the "Tailgate Zone." Fans will be able to participate in the Blue Devil Walk. Tailgating is permitted three hours before the game, and tailgating activities will cease at game time. Only propane grills are permitted, no open flame grills. Alcohol or tobacco is not permitted.

EUROPEAN FLAVOR: UW-Stout coach Clayt Birmingham has been active in raising the popularity of American football in Europe and has made several trips to Europe to participate in workshops and coaching clinics. This fall, the Blue Devils had a coach from Germany into preseason camp for a couple of days. The Blue Devils have also welcomed European coaches to their training camp and 2011 was no exception with Nico Teichert and Johannes Fiebig from Germany getting an up close look at American football. The Blue Devils also had Antti Kurenniemi, a native of Finland, on their roster last season. Kurenniemi saw action in several games. In 2012, the Blue Devils, for the first time in several years, did not host a European coach, but did have an international player, Jan Andre Millemann from Germany, who is the subject of this feature story.

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 Loras College, Saturday, Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. in the first of four home games for Stout during the 2014 season.