BLUE DEVILS TRAVEL TO UW-LA CROSSE FOR THE FIRST OF TWO ROAD GAMES
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Live AudioTHIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (1-3, 0-1 WIAC) will look to pick up the pieces and regroup from a 69-14 homecoming loss to UW-Oshkosh last week when they travel to
UW-La Crosse (1-3, 0-1 WIAC), Saturday, Oct. 10 for a 1 p.m. contest. The Eagles are coming off a one point, 21-20, overtime loss to UW-River Falls.
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: UW-Oshkosh tallied a WIAC record 829 yards of total offense in running over UW-Stout, 69-14, during the Blue Devils' annual homecoming event, Oct. 3. The Titans opened the scoring in big fashion when Sam Mentkowski scored on an 85-yard pass play at 11:04 in the first quarter. The Blue Devils answered back when they took advantage of a short field after forcing a punt.Quarterback
Hank Kujak drove the Blue Devils 47 yards in six plays, capping off the drive with a 13-yard scoring pass to
Brian Alvarez with just under three minutes left in the quarter. The Titans would go on to run off five consecutive TDs, rolling out to a 41-7 halftime lead. |
Complete Story and Box ScoreLAST TIME OUT: UW-La Crosse: The Eagles fell 21-20 in overtime at UW-River Falls Saturday afternoon at Ramer Field. UWL and UW-River Falls played its fifth overtime game in the last seven meetings, including second straight. The Falcons earned a 16-13 victory last season in River Falls and 28-21 in La Crosse in 2011. | Complete Story and Box Score
WHEN STOUT AND LA CROSSE LAST MET: UW-La Crosse's Ben Hertrampf scored two fourth quarter touchdowns and the Eagles went on to a 21-7 win over UW-Stout Oct. 18, 2014, at Veteran's Memorial Stadium. La Crosse outgained Stout, 295 total yards to 262. The Eagles ran the ball 36 times for 147 yards, while Stout ran the ball 35 times for 107 yards. Cummings completed 14-of-23 passes for 148 yards with one interception. Peterson aired the ball out, completing 26-of-37 passes for 155 yards, but was picked off three times. | Complete Story and Box Score
THE SERIES: UW-La Crosse holds a 68-16-5 lead in the series, with the Eagles winning the last two meetings. Stout last defeated the Eagles during the 2011 season, a 10-0 win in Menomonie.
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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. Even in the conference opening loss to UW-Oshkosh, Kujak was able to get some air underneath the ball, completing 18-of-29 passes for 217 yards two scores. On the season, the Blue Devils are leading the WIAC in passing offense with 306.0 yards, and Kujak is averaging 297 yards per contest to lead the league. Kujak has completed 89-of-163 passes for 1188 yards over the first four games, throwing 10 TDs and three INTs. Kujak leads the league in total offense, adding 123 yards of rushing to his totals. Kujak has thrown for more than 200 yards in all four games this season. 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.
KUJAK CLIMBING THE LADDER: Hank Kujak is currently ranked seventh on the UW-Stout all-time passing list with 4049 yards. For his career, Kujak has completed 327-of-631 passes, with 26 TDs. Kujak has throw for 10 TDs this season, with his season-best of 11 coming in the 2013 season.
Chris Pica-Anderson has 20 catches for 235 yards and a TD, while freshman Kevion McDonald has 16 grabs for 233 yards. McDonald is still looking for his first collegiate TD. Brian Alvarez, who was injured early in the UW-Oshkosh game, has 15 grabs for 263 yards and three scores. Jordan Dabney has recorded three TDs on nine catches for 181 yards, a 20.1 yard per catch average. Alvarez is fifth in the WIAC in receiving yards per game (65.8). Pica-Anderson is fifth in the league in receptions per game (5/game). 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.
 Adolfo Pacheco and KeyShawn Carpenter have been splitting rushing duties. Pacheco has netted 185 yards on 46 totes (4.0 y/carry), while Carpenter has 129 yards on 31 carries (4.2 y/carry). Pacheco is currently 10th in the WIAC in rushing. 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 123 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.Injuries have sidelined both Atchison-Keolanui and Parris. Leading the league in passing, Stout has given up only four sacks.
On the defensive side of the ball this season, LB Matt Hoefft is second in the WIAC in tackles with 42, 22 solo. Hoefft got his first career interception against UW-Oshkosh, returning the ball 14 yards. DB Tony Blair has 37 tackles, 18 solo, with one interception. Hoefft had a career-best against Loras College 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 33 tackles, 21 solo and two pass break-ups. Staley has 28 tackles, 17 solo, and has a league-best seven passes defended (two INTs, five pass break-ups). DB Michael Pierson has seven pass break ups and is tied with Staley for passes defended. Blair has an interception, as does Josh Johnson, who is out for the season. Stout has recorded a league-high seven interceptions.
Kevin Houts returns at defensive end after missing the majority of the season to injury and is finding his rhythm. Houts is fifth in the league in tackles for loss with 5.0, and eighth 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 17 tackles, three solo and a tackle for 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. Stout has blocked four kicks this season.
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 431.5 yards of total offense, 306.0 passing,125.5 rushing and have given up 670.0 yards, 388.0 passing, 281.2 rushing. Stout has been outscored 187-119 (46.8-29.8).
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 and the two against UW-Oshkosh, perfect in all five attempts...Punter Clark Riedel is averaging 39.1 yards per punt, tops in the league by nearly three yards. The Blue Devils, as a team, are tops in the conference in net punts (35.7), So far this season, Riedel has placed six punts inside the 20 and has had nine of his punt fair caught. UW-Oshkosh elected to not return any of Riedel's seven punts last weekend. 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...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.
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. The Eagles were picked to finish fifth in the WIAC preseason poll.
WHO'S WHO: UW-La Crosse: UW-La Crosse brings back three quarterbacks who saw action in at least four contests last season, including senior Trent Cummings, who was the starter. Senior defensive back Jon Becker recorded three interceptions a season ago to help the Eagles finish plus-nine in turnover margin – their best turnover ratio since a plus-13 in 2001. Senior center Ellis Johnson leads three returners on the offensive line. UW-La Crosse's three non-conference opponents in 2015 combined for a 24-9 record during the 2014 campaign. The Eagles play four home games for the third time in the last four years.
La Crosse in 2015: The Eagles opened the season with a 26-19 home win over Luther College, but dropped the next three games, all road games. The Eagles are allowing 498 yards of total offense, 221.2 by rushing, 276.8 by passing. By contrast, the Eagles are averaging 240.2 yards per game, 62.5 by rushing, 177.8 by passing. Trent Cummings leads the team in passing, completing 49-of-79 passes for 544 yards and six TDs., with only one INT. Joel Oxton has 17 receptions for 220 yards and three scores. DB Ryan Weber lead the team in tackles with 61, 35 solo. The Eagle have been outscored 134-63 (33.5-15.8). | 2015 Statistics
THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:
| Stout | WIAC Rank | | WIAC Rank | LaCrosse |
|---|
| 29.8 | 5 | PPG | 7 | 15.8 |
| 46.8 | 7 | Opp. PPG | 6 | 33.5 |
| 306.0 | 1 | Pass Yds | 7 | 176.5 |
| 125.4 | 4 | Rush Yds | 8 | 62.6 |
| +2 (9-7) | 7 | Turnover /- | 2 | +5 (9-4) |
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 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 UW-Oshkosh, sophomore punter Clark Riedel was selected as the special teams player of the week. Freshman Ty Berkenpas was selected as offensive scout team playe of the week, freshman Holden Timm was selected as the defensive scout team player of the week and sophomore Shane Javorski 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 (21-33) 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-La Crosse: Joel Dettwiler (14-30) is in his fifth season as the head coach at UW-La Crosse. UW-L has led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in fewest penalties the last three seasons (2012, 2013, 2014).  The Eagles ranked second in the league in passing defense and fourth in scoring defense in 2014. A native of Oregon, Wisconsin, Dettwiler was an assistant coach at Wartburg College in Waverly, Iowa from 2004 to 2010. He was the linebackers coach and head strength coach from 2004 to 2008 before being named the Knights' defensive coordinator in 2008, a position he held for three seasons. A 1997 graduate of the UW-Platteville, Dettwiler helped lead Wartburg (Iowa) to a 57-18 record in his seven years as an assistant coach.Â
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-La Crosse 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. La Crosse last season finished in a tie for fifth and are picked to finish fifth 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
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
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
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, 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
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. | 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-Eau Claire, Saturday, Oct. 17 for a 6 p.m. contest, before returning home Saturday, Oct. 24 to face UW-River Falls at 1 p.m.
