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Live AudioTHIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (1-2, 0-0 WIAC) got last week off, but return to action when they host 17th ranked
UW-Oshkosh, (2-1, 0-0 WIAC) Saturday, Oct. 3 at 2 p.m. in the annual homecoming game. The game will also open the conference portion of the season. Both Stout and Oshkosh had a bye on September 26. Oshkosh has recorded back-to-back shutouts coming into this week's game.
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 Pete Knutson on Sports Radio 1400 on a weekly basis 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: With the exception of two minutes late in the first half, UW-Stout played toe-to-toe with sixth-ranked Wartburg College, but in the end, it was those two minutes that made the difference in the game and the Knights came out of Don & Nona Williams Stadium with a 41-33 win Sept. 19 in Menomonie. Wartburg scored two touchdowns in the final two minutes of the first half, on an 11-yard pass form Logan Schrader to Jake Haberman with 1:58 left in the half and on a two-yard Schrader run 16 seconds before the intermission for a 28-12 lead. Those scores would prove to be the difference. |
Complete Story and Box ScoreLAST TIME OUT: UW-Oshkosh: Brett Kasper threw three second-quarter touchdown passes and the defense added two scores to lift the nationally ranked UW-Oshkosh football team to a 35-0 victory over first-time opponent North Park University (Ill.) on Saturday (Sept. 19) at J. J. Keller Field at Titan Stadium.Coupled with UW-Oshkosh's 86-0 win over Finlandia University (Mich.) last Saturday (Sept. 12), the Titans recorded consecutive shutouts for the first time since 1996, when they opened the season with a pair of 44-0 victories over St. Norbert College and Saint Xavier University (Ill.). UW-Oshkosh outgained North Park University, 450-293, including 333-99 in the first half. | Complete Story and Box Score
WHEN STOUT AND OSHKOSH LAST MET: UW-Stout wasn't able to get anything going on offense, as the Blue Devils dropped a 32-7 decision in the WIAC opener at UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 4, 2014. The Titans built up a 22-0 lead before Stout got on the board with a 37-yard pass from Garrett Peterson to Aaron Jenny in the third quarter. Oshkosh had 410 yards of total offense to 248 for Stout. | Complete Story and Box Score
THE SERIES: UW-Oshkosh holds a 35-23-1 lead in the series, with the Titans winning the last five meetings. Stout last defeated the Titans during the 2010 season, a 24-14 win.
WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: Quarterback Hank Kujak missed the majority of the 2014 season due to an injury in the opening game, but he made his return to the starting lineup again this season against Bethel University. Kujak, who is also a team captain for the third season, had a career day to open the season going 30-of-52 passing for 341 yards and two touchdowns with no interceptions. Against Loras, Kujak completed 50 percent of his passes going 22-of-44 for 418 yards and three touchdowns. Kujak's passing yardage was brought out of the stratasphere against Wartburg College when the Blue Devils actually had more rushing yardage, but Kujak still completed 19-of-38 passes for 212 yards and three TDs. On the season, the Blue Devils are leading the WIAC in passing offense with 323.7 yards, and Kujak has all of that yardage. Kujak has completed 71-of-134 passes for 971 yards over the first three games, throwing eight TDs and two INTs. Kujak leads the league in total offense, adding 112 yards of rushing to his totals.
Chris Pica-Anderson has 15 catches for 199 yards and a TD, while Brian Alvarez has 14 grabs for 250 yards and two scores. Freshman Kevion McDonald has 13 catches for 182 yards. Jordan Dabney has recorded three TDs on nine cathces for 181 yards, a 20.1 yard per catch average. Alvarez is second in the WIAC in receiving yards per game (83.3). Pica-Anderson is fifth in the league in receptions per game, Alvarez eighth and McDonald ninth. Pica-Anderson is the only wide receiver returning from last season that caught more than five passes. Alvarez did not compete in 2014, but was the team's leading receiver in 2013.
Injuries slowed down the Blue Devils' running game in 2014, but the running game showed signs of a resurgence. After strongly using their passing game in the first two outings, Stout had a balanced offensive attack against Wartburg.The Blue Devils ran for 229 yards and threw for 212. Adolfo Pacheco and KeyShawn Carpenter have been splitting rushing duties. Pacheco has netted 163 yards on 38 totes (4.3 y/carry), while Carpenter has 121 yards on 26 carries (4.7 y/carry). Pacheco is currently seventh in the WIAC in rushing, while Carpenter is 10th. The pair are combining for nearly 100 yards per game rushing, with Pacheco averaging 54.3 yards and Carpenter 40.3. Pacheco has broken off a 25 yard jaunt, while Carpenter's best so far this season has been 26. QB Kujak has 112 yards rushing, and ran off a team-best 47-yard run against Wartburg.
The Blue Devils return four starters from last season's offensive line, including center David Koronkiewicz, Kane'ala Atchison-Keolanui, a second team all-WIAC selection and preseason honorable mention All-American, Logan Stoa and Corey Parris.
On the defensive side of the ball this season, LB Matt Hoefft is second in the WIAC in tackles with 35, 18 solo. DB Tony Blair has 26 tackles, 14 solo, with one interception. Hoefft had a career-best against Loras with19 tackles, while Blair had 14 in that same wild shootout. DBs Enzo Rosani and Javauhn Staley each have two interceptions, tied for the conference lead. Rosani has 25 tackles, 17 solo and two pass break-ups. Staley has 22 tackles, 13 solo, and has a league-best seven passes defended (two INTs, five pass break-ups). DB Michael Pierson has five pass break ups. Blair has an interception, as does Josh Johnson, who is out for the season.
Kevin Houts returns at defensive end after missing the majority of the season to injury and is finding his rhythm. Houts is second in the league in tackles for loss with 5.0, and third in sacks with 2.5.The defensive lineman had four tackles and a sack against Loras, and each of his tackles was either for a loss or no gain. DBs Blair and Tanner Hoversholm have also been involved in sacks this season. ..Iyen Ogbomoh earned a spot on the defensive line last season, taking over for Houts after he was injured. Ogbomoh is sharing the spot with his high school teammate, Isaiah Hardy. Hardy has 16 tackles, three solo and a tackle fo a loss. Ogbomoh has been a terror on special teams. The lanky defensive end blocked three kicks last season, and added two blocks against Wartburg, a punt and an extra point.
Injuries have put a dent in the Blue Devils' defensive backfield. Safety Collin Laursen returned against Wartburg after a preseason injury sidelined him for the first two games. Laursen, who missed most of the 2013 season to injury, came back to play all 10 games last year....Stout has lost DB Josh Johnson and CB LaRon Thompson to injury. Johnson was a transfer who was the Blue Devils' defensive player of the week after the Bethel game when he picked off a pass and recovered a fumble. Thompson led the Blue Devils in pass break-ups last season...
Stout is averaging 465.7 yards of total offense, 323.7 passing,142.0 rushing and have given up 617.0 yards, 394.0 passing, 223 rushing. Stout has been outscored 118-105 (39.3-35.0).
Kicking Game: Kicker Taylor Pahl saw his streak of consecutive PATs come to an end at 24 when his opening extra point attempt did not connect. Coming into the season, the sophomore was 15-of-17 in PATs, including the final 15 of the season. Pahl has since stretched that mark to 24 consecutive PATs, getting two against Bethel and nailing all seven attempts at Loras. The season Pahl is 3-of-4 in field goals, making him 9-of-15 overall. Pahl missed a field goal against Wartburg wide right and had made seven consecutive field goals, stretching back to the end of the last season. He made the final four field goals in 2014...Pahl hit a career-long against UW-River Falls in 2014, connecting on a 42-yard field goal to seal Stout's victory late in the fourth quarter...Drew Pearson kicked the final three extra point attempts against Wartburg...Against Wartburg College last season, Clark Riedel was called on to punt 11 times, and the Blue Devils punted 12 total times, matching a team record set during the 1939 football season against Gustavus Adolphus. Riedel finished the season with a 38.4 yards per kick average, tied for third in the WIAC. So far this season, Riedel has improved on his average from last year, putting up an average of 38.6 yards. Riedel had a career-long punt in 2014 of 59 yards against UW-Platteville. This season, his best boot has been 51 yards against Loras. He has pinned three kicks inside the 20 yard line. So far, only two punts have been returned.
JUNIOR VARSITY: The Blue Devil junior varsity squad defeated UW-River Falls, 28-14, Sept. 14 in Menomonie. The JV program is scheduled to host UW-Eau Claire, Sunday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m.
PRESEASON POLLS: After finishing near the bottom last season, the Blue Devils were picked to finish eighth in the WIAC this season, according to a preseason poll by WIAC football coaches and sports information directors. After finishing second last season, the Titans were picked to finish third in the WIAC preseason poll.
WHO'S WHO: UW-Oshkosh: UW-Oshkosh, ranked 12th by The Sporting News and 18th by D3football.com in preseason rankings, returns 39 letterwinners from the 2014 squad that posted a winning season for the fourth consecutive year - the program's longest streak since 1925. The Titans bring back their 2014 yardage leaders in passing, rushing and receiving, as well as their leader in tackles and interceptions. UW-Oshkosh's returning players scored 21 of the team's 29 offensive touchdowns in 2014, including sophomore running back Dylan Hecker, who had a team-high nine touchdowns. Gone from last year's squad is Nate Ray, who claimed WIAC Special Teams Player of the Year laurels and led the NCAA Division III in punting. The Titans have won 14 of their last 15 WIAC road games and completed their best four-year run in program history with 34 wins from 2011-14.
Oshkosh in 2015: The Titans are ranked 17th in the latest D3football.com poll and 18th in the latest AFCA coaches poll. After opening the season with a 23-21 road loss at NAIA Robert Morris, the Titans have shut out their last two opponents, crushing first year program Finlandia, 86-0, and blanking North Park University, 35-0. The Titans have outscored their opponents, 142-23 (47.3-7.7). QB Brett Kasper has completed 43-of-70 passes for 592 yards, six TDs and no interceptions. With a relatively balanced offensive attack, the Titans are averaging 461.3 yards per game, 251.7 rushing, 209.7 passing. Sam Mentowski has caught seven passes for 225 yards and three TDs. CJ Blackburn and Zach Kasuboski have both caught seven passes, Blackburn for 109 yards and Kasuboski for 87 yards, and one TD each. Craig Schommer has caught a team-high 10 passes for 67 yards. Dylan Hecker has rushed for four TDs and had carried the ball 40 times for 242 yards and his 80.7 yards per game is second in the WIAC. Kasuboski has rushed 10 times for 133 yards and two scores. Reese Dziedzic leads the Titans in tackles with 22, 10 solo. Trevor Fiegel has 10 tackles, five solo, 4.5 tackles for loss. The Titans are allowing 225.3 yards, 96.0 by rushing, 129.3 by passing. The 7.7 points allowed is the lowest in the WIAC. | 2015 Statistics
THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:
| Stout | WIAC Rank | | WIAC Rank | Oshkosh |
|---|
| 35.0 | 5 | PPG | 3 | 47.3 |
| 39.3 | 7 | Opp. PPG | 1 | 7.7 |
| 323.7 | 1 | Pass Yds | 4 | 209.7 |
| 142.0 | 4 | Rush Yds | 2 | 251.7 |
| 4 (7-3) | T-2 | Turnover /- | 1 | 6 (9-3) |
CONFERENCE SCORING EXPLOSION: If it seems as if there has been a lot of scoring in the WIAC this season, it's because there has been. Comparing the 2014 season to the 2015 season yields the following up to start of the conference season: in 2014, among non-conference games, there were two games where WIAC schools scored 50 points for more, there were six games where WIAC schools scored 40 points or more and there were eight games where WIAC schools scored 30 points or more. During the 2015 season up to this point, there were six games where WIAC schools scored 50 points or more (shoot, there were four games with 60 or more points scored), there were seven games where WIAC schools scored 40 or more points and there were 14 games where WIAC schools scored 30 points or more. In 2014, the total number of points scored over the first 24 games of the season was 595 points for an average of 24.8 points per game. In 2015, the WIAC scored 838 points over the first 24 games of the season for an average of 34.9 points per game.
The Blue Devils were certainly a part of that scoring explosion. Last season, after the first three games of the season, Stout scored 54 total points for an average of 18.0 points per game. This season, after the first three games of the season, Stout has scored 105 points for an average of 35.0 points per game.
LOTS OF RANKED OPPONENTS: The Blue Devils will play five teams that received preseason recognition by D3football.com - Bethel (No. 20, Sept. 3), Wartburg College (No. 6, Sept. 19), UW-Oshkosh (No. 18, Oct. 3), UW-Platteville (receiving votes, Oct. 31) and UW-Whitewater (No. 1, Nov. 14). In the latest D3football.com Top 25 poll, Platteville (No. 14), Bethel (No. 20), Wartburg (No. 6), Oshkosh (No. 17), and Whitewater (No. 1).
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: In Stout's contest with Wartburg College, senior quarterback Hank Kujak and senior tight end Reggie Kujak were named the offensive players of the week...senior deffensive back Michael Pierson and sophomore defensive back Enzo Rosani were named defensive players of the week....sophomore defensive tackle Iyen Ogbomoh was the special teams player of the week..freshman Thomas Roble was selected as the offensive scout team player of the week...freshman August Beck was selected as defensive scout team player of the week... sophomore Nick Siegel was selected as special teams scout team player of the week...senior David Koronkiewicz was selected as the offensive lineman of the week.
TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2015 season include quarterback Hank Kujak (Sr, Blair), defensive back Collin Laursen (Sr, Mondovi), defensive lineman Kevin Houts (Sr, Bloomington, Minn.), wide receiver Brian Alvarez (Sr, Atwater, Calif.) and offensive lineman David Koronkiewicz (Sr, Peshtigo). This is Kujak's third year as a team captain.
ODDS AND ENDS: In comparison to 2014 when they played four home games, the Blue Devils play five home games in 2015. Stout opens the 2015 season Sept. 3 at home and will have completed three home games within the first month of the season.
THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (21-31) is in his sixth 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 (55-31) is in his ninth season as the head coach at UW-Oshkosh, following several years as a Titan assistant.
COACHING STAFF Travis Destache returns as the defensive coordinator, and
Pat McAvoy is in his second year as the offensive coordinator. Chase Vogel returns for his second year and will work with the quarterbacks and the passing game.
Kody Morgan,
Jed Stutzman,
Joe Gerber and Jake Schiff return. Student assistant coaches include
Matt McKone and
Jake Pollock.
THE LEAGUES: UW-Stout and UW-Oshkosh are members of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Stout finished seventh in league play last season and the Blue Devils were picked to finish eighth in a
WIAC preseason poll in mid-August. Oshkosh last season finished second and are picked to finish third this year.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Senior defensive back
Collin Laursen was selected as a semifinalist for the 2015 William V. Campbell Trophy, presented by Fidelity Investments and hosted at the New York Athletic Club. Laursen is an engineering techology major with an emphasis in facilities with a 3.64 GPA who has received the Chancellor's Award for Academic Excellence six times. Laursen is a Blue Devil captain and a three year starter at safety. Laursen missed the majority of the 2013 season due to injury, but, coming into the 2015 season, started 21 of 31 games that he played. He was a WIAC honorable mention defensive back his sophomore year.
SEASON HONORS: Quarterback
Hank Kujak was selected as the WIAC offensive player of the week and the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after throwing for 418 yards and three TDs against Loras College...defensive back
Enzo Rosani was selected as the WIAC defensive player of the week after intercepting two passes against Loras College...Returners to the 2015 season that were all-conference selections are offensive lineman Kane'ala Atchison-Keolauni, who was a second team pick. Atchison-Keolauni was a preseason honorable mention choice by USA Football Division III...
2014: Garrett Peterson was the WIAC offensive athlete after his performance against UW-River Falls, Nov. 8...
Luke Bakkum was selected to the D3football.com Team of the Week after his performance against UW-River Falls, Nov. 8...
Tyler Naatz was selected to the CoSIDA Capital One Academic All-District 6 team....
Tyler Naatz received the Burger King/Warren Bowlus Academic Achievement Award...
Tyler Naatz is a semi-finalist for the National Football Foundation William Campbell Trophy...
Aaron Jenny was named the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual player of the week after catching three TD passes against Loras College.
TOPPERS: The following are career bests for several of Stout's offensive players
Hank Kujak - Passing
22 comp, 44 att, 418 yds, 3 TD vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
30 comp, 52 att, 341 yds, 2 TD vs. Bethel University, Sept. 3, 2015
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
19 comp, 38 att, 212 yds, 3 TD vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 19, 2015
Garrett Peterson - Passing
26 comp, 39 att, 324 yds, 4 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 8, 2014
25 comp, 45 att, 205 yds vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 25, 2014
20 comp, 37 att, 187 yds vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 15, 2014
10 comp, 19 att, 156 yds vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 11, 2014
26 comp, 37 att, 155 yds vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 18, 2014
7 comp, 16 att, 104 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 4, 2014
Brian Alvarez- Receiving
7 receptions, 135 yards, vs. Bethel University, Sept. 3, 2015
10 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 9, 2013
4 receptions, 95 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
7 receptions, 89 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 12, 2013
8 receptions, 71 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 26, 2013
4 receptions, 57 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 19, 2013
5 receptions, 54 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
Adolfo 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
17 carries, 77 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
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
Chris Pica-Anderson - Receiving
8 receptions, 94 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 25, 2014
4 receptions, 76 yards vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 19, 2015
5 receptions, 70 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
Kevion McDonald - Receiving
5 receptions, 98 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
7 receptions, 72 yards vs. Bethel University, Sept. 3, 2015
Jordan Dabney - Receiving
4 receptions, 124 yards, 2 TDs vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
Reggie Kujak - Receiving
2 receptions, 47 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 11, 2014
3 receptions, 26 yards, 2 TDvs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
3 receptions, 23 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 26, 2013
2 receptions, 22 yards, 1 TD vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 19, 2015
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
341 - Hank Kujak vs. Bethel University, Sept. 3, 2015
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
PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2015: The Blue Devils have a full slate of promotions scheduled for 2015, beginning with Dorm Days for the Sept. 19 contest with Wartburg College. Oct. 3 vs. UW-Oshkosh is Homecoming, along with Football Legacy Reunion Day and a day to recognize the 2000 and 1965 championship teams, Oct. 24 vs. UW-River Falls is the annual Hall of Fame Game and Nov. 8 vs. UW-Stevens Point is Senior Day and Military Appreciation Day.
CHAMPIONSHIP RECOGNITIONS: The Blue Devils will use Homecoming Weekend to recognize the conference championship teams of 1965 and 2000. The weekend will also be a football legacy reunion, honoring all Stout football teams.
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. Last fall, the Blue Devils had a coach from Germany into preseason camp for a couple of days. Enzo Rosani began his career as a Blue Devil, joining Stout as cornerback from France on the 2014 roster. Feature Story The Blue Devils have consistently welcomed European coaches to their training camp. In 2011 it was 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 be at UW-La Crosse, Saturday, Oct. 10 for a 1 p.m. contest.
