Football Preview: League's top throwing offenses to meet Saturday

THIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (2-5, 1-3 WIAC) travel to UW-Platteville (5-2, 2-2 WIAC) Saturday, Oct. 31 for a 2 p.m. Halloween day game. Thjis game features the two top quarterbacks in the WIAC in the Blue Devils' Hank Kujak (291.9 yds passing per game) and the Pioneers' Tom Kelly (291.5 yds passing per game) and by extension the league's leading passing games. Platteville is averaging 321.1 yards per contest and the Blue Devils 297.0. The Pioneers are ranked 12th nationally in passing, the Blue Devils 27th. The Pioneers are ranked 16th in the latest D3football.com Top 25 poll.

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. 
LAST TIME OUT: UW-Stout: In their fourth home game of the season, the Blue Devils found themselves in another shootout, falling to the Falcons of River Falls 54-48 after a failed fourth quarter comeback. Stout continued their season trend of throwing the ball. Hank Kujak had his fourth 300-yard-game of the season, throwing for a total of 357 yards on 49 attempts. Kujak also recorded his second game in which he threw for five touchdowns and ran for another for the Blue Devils. 

LAST TIME OUT: UW-Platteville: Fifth-ranked UW-Oshkosh scored early and often en route to a 63-28 victory over 12th-ranked UW-Platteville Saturday afternoon at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. Sophomore running back Dylan Hecker accounted for 210 yards of offense and four total touchdowns to lead the Titans to victory. He ran for a pair of short touchdowns and threw another in the first quarter, and later caught a 46-yard TD pass in the second half. UW-Oshkosh improved to 6-1 overall and 4-0 in the WIAC with the win, and took complete control in the race for this year's conference title after beating top-ranked UW-Whitewater, 10-7 just two weeks ago. 

WHEN STOUT AND PLATTEVILLE LAST MET: Despite holding UW-Platteville to their lowest scoring output in a victory this season, UW-Stout was unable to find paydirt, falling 21-0 to the No. 13 ranked Pioneers. Tanner Kuehn and Chris Pica-Anderson turned in career days for the Blue Devils in the loss as Kuehn had 91 yards rushing and 44 receiving while Pica-Anderson caught eight passes for 94 yards. 

THE SERIES: UW-Platteville holds a 34-23-1 lead in the series. The Pioneers have won the last four meetings, but previous to that, Stout won four in a row.
 

WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: On a team that, at times, seems to be held together with masking tape and super glue due to injuries, the Blue Devils are amassing offensive numbers far surpassing the past several years. With QB Hank Kujak leading the way, the Blue Devils are second only to UW-Platteville in the WIAC, averaging 297.0 yards per contest. Kujak, a team captain for the third year, is tops in the league in passing yardage, tallying 291.9 yards and has tossed 21 TDs, best of all league quarterbacks. Kujak has completed 152-of-283 passes, and has been picked off only three times. Kujak leads the conference in total offense, adding 171 yards in rushing. Kujak has thrown for more than 200 yards in six of seven games this season. Nationally, Kujak ranks 11th in TDs thrown (21), 15th in passing yardage (2043),  18th in passing yards per game (291.9), 14th in points responsible (144) and 15th in total offense (316.3). Injured except for about half of the season-opener last year, Kujak threw for 189 yards against Dakota Wesleyan before going down. During the 2013 season, Kujak threw for more than 200-yards in seven games.

CATCHING THE BALL: While Hank Kujak has been slinging the ball, Chris Pica-Anderson and Brian Alvarez have been the primary receivers, with a lot of freshman Kevion McDonald thrown in. Pica-Anderson has a team-high 40 catches for 480 yards and a TD, while Alvarez has 31 grabs for a team-high 536 yards and eight scores. Alvarez hauled in 10 passes for a career-best 159 yards last week against Eau Claire and was named the UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual Athlete of the Week and last week had six catches for 114 yards and two more scores.McDonald has 26 catches for 390 yards and a pair of scores. Jordan Dabney has been a go-to guy for scores, recording five TDs on 14 catches for 281 yards, a 20.1 yard per catch average. Justin Guarnaccio has hauled in 16 catches for 146 yards and a TD and TE Reggie Kujak has three TD catches, two coming against UW-River Falls. Alvarez is third in the WIAC in receiving yards per game (89.3). Pica-Anderson is third in the league in receptions per game, and Alvarez seventh. Pica-Anderson is the only wide receiver returning from last season that caught more than five passes. With eight touchdowns, Alvarez is third in the WIAC in scoring with 48 points (8.0 ppg). Alvarez did not compete in 2014, but was the team's leading receiver in 2013.

KUJAK CLIMBING THE LADDER: After the UW-River Falls game, Hank Kujak is currently ranked fifth on the UW-Stout all-time passing list with 4904 yards, passing  Ross Carey (2008-11) with 4688 yards. For his career, Kujak has completed 390-of-751 passes, with 37 TDs. Kujak has thrown for 21 TDs this season, nearly doubling his season-best of 11 during the 2013 season.

RUNNING THE BALL: While Adolfo Pacheco and KeyShawn Carpenter had been splitting rushing duties, junior Travis Urlaub has worked his way into the line and had a break out day against UW-Eau Claire, then continued that against UW-River Falls, carrying the ball 10 times for 105 yards, and scored his first collegiate TD, a 40-yard run. . Against the Blugolds, Urlaub carried the ball 11 times for 78 yards, including a scamper of 38 yards in the first half. Urlaub currently has 213 yards on 34 carries for a team-best average of 6.3 yards per carry. Pacheco has netted 245 yards on 61 totes (4.0 y/carry), while Carpenter has 174 yards on 49 carries (3.6 y/carry).  Pacheco's longest rush of the year has been a 25 yard jaunt, while Carpenter's best so far this season has been 26 yards. QB Kujak has 171 yards rushing, and ran off a team-best 47-yard run against Wartburg.

O-LINE: 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. Injuries have sidelined both Atchison-Keolanui and Parris, and Stoa missed a game earlier. Atchison-Keolanui has returned to the line-up. Second in the league in passing, Stout has given up only five sacks, one in conference play.

DEFENSE: LB Matt Hoefft is second in the WIAC in tackles with 72, 36solo. DB Tony Blair has 60 tackles, 32 solo, with one interception. Hoefft got his first career interception against UW-Oshkosh, returning the ball 14 yards. DT Kevin Houts is tied for fifth in the league in sacks with 4.5. Houts missed most of last season due to injury. 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 26 tackles, nine solo and 3.5 tackles for a loss. Ogbomoh has been a terror on special teams. The lanky defensive end blocked three kicks last season, and added two blocks this year against Wartburg, a punt and an extra point. Stout has blocked six kicks this season. Travis Shackleton blocked a La Crosse field goal attempt Enzo Rosani returned 86 yards for a TD.

BALL HAWKS:  Enzo Rosani and Javauhn Staley each have two picks, tied for fourth in the WIAC. Tony Blair, Kyle Hoefft, Michael Pierson and Josh Johnson each have pulled down one INT. Stout has recorded at least one interception in every game except against UW-La Crosse. Stout had a season-high three interceptions against Loras College. Rosani has 42 tackles, 30 solo and three pass break-ups. Staley has 31 tackles, 19 solo, and is SIXTH in the league with seven passes defended (two INTs, five pass break-ups). DB Michael Pierson has eight pass break ups and an interception to give him nine passes defended, tied for third in the league. Pierson has 45 tackles, 30 solo, and 2.0 tackles for loss.

DEFENSIVE BACKFIELD DINGED: 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.

YARDS FOR/YARDS AGAINST: As a team, Stout is averaging 427.0 total yards, 297.0 through the air, 130.0 on the ground. The Blue Devils are allowing 574.1 total yards, 248.9 rushing, 325.3 passing. Stout has been outscored, 281-233 (40.1-33.2)

GIVE IT A BOOT: Punter Clark Riedel is averaging 38.8 yards per punt, tops in the league by two yards and 39th in the country. The Blue Devils, as a team, are tops in the conference in net punts (33.5), So far this season, Riedel has placed seven punts inside the 20 and has had nine of his punts fair caught.  Riedel had a career-long punt in 2014 of 59 yards against UW-Platteville. This season, his best boot has been 52 yards against UW-La Crosse. .Against Wartburg College last season, 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.

ON A TEE: Drew Pearson has assumed the place kicking duties, and has not missed a PAT in his inaugural season. Pearson is currently perfect in 20 attempts, nailing all six attempts in a 45-12 win over UW-Eau Claire and repeated the feat in a 54-48 loss to UW-River Falls. Pearson is 1-for-2 in field goals. After seeing his first collegiate field goal attempt blocked against UW-Oshkosh, Pearson connected on a 24-yard attempt against Eau Claire...Taylor Pahl saw his streak of consecutive PATs come to an end at 24 when his opening extra point attempt against Wartburg did not connect. Coming into the season, the sophomore was 15-of-17 in PATs, including the final 15 of the 2014 season. Pahl stretched that mark to 24 consecutive PATs, getting two against Bethel and nailing all seven attempts at Loras, before the miss with Wartburg. This 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.

RETURN GAME: The Blue Devils currently lead the WIAC in punt return average with 16.0 yards per return and are fourth in kickoff return with an average of 21.7 yards. Chris Pica-Anderson has returned five punts for an average of 18.0 yards. Isaac Tuttle has put some spice in the kickoff return game and moved up to first in the league in kickoff returns with a 27.1 yards per average. Tuttle has had several returns exceed 50 yards, including a 56-yard return against UW-Eau Claire that two plays later Stout converted into a TD. The season record for kickoff return average is 26.6 by Hall of Famer Mike Wilson in 1989. And it looks like Tuttle's numbers will stay there. Tuttle was injured late in the first half of the River Falls game and is likely lost for the season.

FIELD GOAL BLOCK & RETURN: Travis Shackleton blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt by UW-La Crosse and Enzo Rosani scooped up the ball on the La Crosse 14, returning it 86 yards for a score. The blocked kick was Shackleton's first career block and the touchdown was Rosani's first collegiate TD.  There is no mention in the UW-Stout, the WIAC or the NCAA record books for returning blocked field goal attempts. There will now be a category in the Stout record book. After sending out a request to NCAA Division III sports information directors, the following list of blocked field goals was compiled.

Blocked Field Goal Attempt Returns
95t, Javicz Jones (Mary Hardin-Baylor vs. Lousiana College), 2012
86t, Enzo Rosani (UW-Stout vs. UW-La Crosse), Oct. 17, 2015
82t, Anthony Giuliano (SUNY-Cortland vs. William Paterson), 2010
79t, Ryan Bonheyo (Gallaudet University vs. Becker College), Nov. 2, 2013 (game winning TD)
77t, Jim Smith (SUNY-Cortland vs. SUNY-Brockport), 2007
76t, Rick Mateja (North Central College vs. Wheaton College), Sept. 21, 1985
67t, Justin Baker (St. Norbert College vs. Lake Forest College), Sept. 26, 2009
61, Derek Sulo (North Central College vs. Carthage College), Nov. 10, 2007

JUNIOR VARSITY: The JV program was scheduled to host UW-Eau Claire, Sunday, Oct. 18 at 3 p.m., but that game was cancelled.

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. The Pioneers were picked to finish second in the WIAC preseason poll.

WHO'S WHO: UW-Platteville: The Pioneers have been known as a passing team ever since Mike Emendorfer took over, and this team is no exception. The Pioneers and the Blue Devils have been going back and forth throughout the season to establish passing supremacy and currently the Pioneers lead the battle with an average of 321.1 yards passing per game. Pioneer QB Tom Kelly and Stout's Hank Kujak have also been up against each other for individual passing honors and Kujak is currently edging Kelly by a fraction of a yard. Kelly has completed 139-of-225 passes for 291.5 yards per contest. Kelly, like Kujak, has not shown a penchant for interceptions. Kelly has been picked off four times, while Kujak only three times. The Pioneers have five receivers with more than 20 catches. Patrick Sheehan leads the way with 40 snags for 456 yards and three TDs. Dan Arnold is the team's scoring leader, hauling in nine TD catches on 38 receptions for 621 yards. Quinn Buschbacher has 37 receptions for 389 yards and a score. Russell Martin has 30 catches for 365 yards and a pair of scores and Mitch Munda has 24 receptions for 283 yards and two TDs. Sheehan is ranked third and Arnold fourth in the WIAC in receptions per game, while Arnold is fourth in receiving yards per game (88.7). The Pioneer rushing game ranks seventh in the WIAC in rushing yards, but the running game complements the passing game. Ryan Fish, Justin Johnson and Kyle Whitman carry the ball the majority of the time, Whitman has six TDs on 44 carries for 100 yards. Fish has 234 yards on 45 carries and Johnson has 213 yards on 50 carries.

LB Andrew Belken leads the team in tackles with 65, 33 solo, and is third in the WIAC. Belk has also been in on three sacks and has forced a league-best three fumbles. DE Andrew Robinson has a league-best 14.0 tackles for loss, with 13 solo. Robinson is second in the league in sacks with 5.5 for 45 yards. LB Marty McGrail has 48 tackles, 18 solo. DB Devon Vance has 35 tackles, 19 solo. DB Logan Emendorfer and DB Jason Flagg both have recorded two interceptions. The Pioneers are averaging 427.4 yards per game, 321.1 passing, 106.3 rushing and give up 341.0 yards, 205.3 passing, 135.7 rushing. Platteville is outscoring their opponents, 236-174 (33.7-24.9).

UW-Platteville's 2015 roster consists of 39 returning letterwinners, including senior wide receiver Russell Martin, who had a team-best 884 receiving yards a season ago and added 52 catches and six touchdown receptions. Senior defensive lineman Andrew Robinson was second in the league with 16.5 tackles for loss, while adding 51 tackles and 7.5 quarterback sacks. The Pioneers have registered a 32-10 record over the last four seasons – the most victories over a four-year span since 1970-73 (33 wins). Head coach Mike Emendorfer enters his 17th season at the helm and is the longest tenured football coach in the WIAC. He needs six victories to surpass George Chryst for second place on the school's all-time wins list. Gone from last year's squad is linebacker Jacob Zilbar, who secured WIAC Defensive Player of the Year recognition.

THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

Stout	WIAC Rank		WIAC Rank	Platteville
33.3	5	PPG	4	33.7
40.1	8	Opp. PPG	3	24.9
297.0	2	Pass Yds	1	321.1
130.0	5	Rush Yds	7	106.3
+3 (13-10)	5	Turnover /-	6t	+2 (15-13)

NON-CONFERENCE SCORING EXPLOSION: If it seems as if there has been a lot of scoring in the WIAC this season, it's because there was during the non-conference portion of the schedule. 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, in the first three games of the season, Stout scored 105 points for an average of 35.0 points per game.

LOTS OF RANKED OPPONENTS: The Blue Devils played 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. 12), Bethel (RV), Wartburg (No. 22), Oshkosh (No. 6), and Whitewater (No. 7).

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: In Stout's contest with UW-River Falls, senior quarterback Hank Kujak and senior running back Travis Urlaub were selected as offensive players of the week; senior defensive back Collin Laursen was selected as defensive player of the week; freshman kicker Drew Pearson was selected as special team's player of the week. Junior Logan Stoa was selected as the offensive lineman of the week. Freshman Adam Heyer was selected as offensive scout team player of the week, junior Joe Hakeem was selected as the defensive scout team player of the week and sophomore Lucian Coutier was selected as the special teams scout team player 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 (22-34) 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-Platteville: Mike Emendorfer (79-89) is in his 17th season at the helm of the Pioneers. Emendorfer is currently tied for the lead in all-time victories at UW-Platteville with George Chryst.

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-River Falls 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. Platteville last season finished second and were picked to finish second.

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 technology 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 UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual Athlete of the week after throwing for five TDs and running for another in a 54-48 loss to UW-River Falls...Quarterback Hank Kujak was selected as the WIAC offensive player of the week after throwing for five TDs and running for another in a 45-12 win over UW-Eau Claire....wide receiver Brian Alvarez was selected as UW-Stout/Northwestern Mutual athlete of the week after catching 10 passes for 159 yards and three TDs...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
23 comp, 48 att, 357 yds, 5 TDs vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
30 comp, 52 att, 341 yds, 2 TD vs. Bethel University, Sept. 3, 2015
21 comp, 35 att, 319 yds, 5 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 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
18 comp, 29 att, 217 yds, 2 TDs vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 3, 2015
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
Jay Alston - Passing
2 comp, 7 att, 36 yds, vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 3, 2015
Brian Alvarez- Receiving
10 receptions, 159 yards, 3 TDs, vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015
7 receptions, 135 yards, vs. Bethel University, Sept. 3, 2015
10 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 9, 2013
6 receptions, 114 yds, 2 TDs vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
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
Travis Urlaub - Rushing
10 carries, 105 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
11 carries, 78 yards, vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015
Chris Pica-Anderson - Receiving
7 receptions, 126 yards vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
8 receptions, 94 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 25, 2014
8 receptions, 60 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 10, 2015
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
3 receptions, 71 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015
5 receptions, 67 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 10, 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
Justin Guarnaccio - Receiving
5 receptions, 62 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 3, 2015
Reggie Kujak - Receiving
2 receptions, 47 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 11, 2014
2 receptions, 38 yards vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 3, 2015
3 receptions, 26 yards, 2 TDvs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 2, 2013
3 receptions, 23 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-River Falls, Oct.24, 2015
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
85 - Brett Kasper to Sam Mentkowski (UW-Oshkosh), Oct. 3, 2014
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
357 - Hank Kujak vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
350 - Brett Kasper (UW-Oshkosh), Oct. 3, 2015
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. 7 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. 

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. 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.

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 close the home portion of their schedule Saturday, Nov. 7 when they host UW-Stevens Point at 1 p.m. for Senior Day.