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Live AudioTHIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (0-0, 0-0 WIAC) get the 2015 season underway when they host
Bethel University (0-0, 0-0 MIAC), Thursday, Sept. 3 at 7 p.m. at Don & Nona Williams Stadium. The Blue Devils finished the 2014 season at 2-8 overall, 1-6 in the WIAC. The Royals finished last season at 7-3 overall, 6-2 in the MIAC, losing their final two games of the season to tumble out of conference contention.
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: For the second week in a row, the Blue Devils fell behind early only to come roaring back in the second half. This time however, the comeback attempt fell just short as UW-Stevens Point was able to score a touchdown with under a minute to go, handing UW-Stout a 31-24 season-ending loss in Stevens Point, Nov. 15, 2014. Stout senior running back
Tanner Kuehn ended his career on a high note, rushing for a career-high 122 yards and two touchdowns, including a 54-yarder midway through the fourth quarter that tied the game at 24. It marked the fourth time this year that Kuehn set a career-high in rushing yards and the second consecutive week he rushed for more than 100 yards after going for 114 in last weeks win over River Falls. |
Complete Story and Box ScoreLAST TIME OUT: Bethel University: In the snow and wind, Nov. 15, 2014, a missed two-point conversion proved to be the margin of victory as Augsburg upset the Royals, 62-61, in double overtime. The Royals, who failed to complete a two-point conversion for the win in double OT, saw their 16-game win streak against the Auggies and their 15-game win-streak at home in regular season play come to an end. The loss will also likely snap a streak of 54 consecutive polls in which the Royals were among the nations Top 25. Together the two teams not only combined for over 120 points on the slippery and cold field, but the two squads amassed over 1200 yards of offense. Both teams set numerous records, but for the Royals it was Marshall Klitzke that set a new single-game scoring record with five touchdowns, on top of his 188 yards rushing. Moreover, Erik Peterson ended his career 22-of-31 with 319 yards and four touchdowns—all four to Bryce Marquardt, who hauled in 12 total passes for 231 yards. | Complete Story and Box Score
WHEN STOUT AND BETHEL LAST MET: Located only 70 miles from each other, the two teams have never met on the gridiron. | Complete Story and Box Score
THE SERIES: This is the first meeting between the two teams.
WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: Quarterback Hank Kujak (Sr, Blair) is expected to return to the line-up after missing nearly the entire season due to an injury in the opening game of 2014. In Kujak's only game of the season, he complted 12 of 28 passes for 189 yards and a TD before going down in the third quarter at Dakota Wesleyan. In 2013, 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. Kujak will be a team captain for his third season...With Kujak out for the season, the Blue Devils were able to give Aaron Koerner and Garrett Peterson (Jr, Menasha) the nod at quarterback. Koerner saw action at quarterback in five games, while Peterson saw action in 10, starting the final six games of the season. Peterson made his season debut against UW-Oshkosh when he came on in relief of Koerner and went 7-16 for 104 yards and a touchdown. Peterson's top game was a thrilling come-from-behind 34-23 win over River Falls, when he became the first Stout quarterback in over 10 years to throw for 300 yards in a single game and the first Stout quarterback in nine years to throw four touchdowns in a game. Peterson finished the game 26-of-39 for 324 yards and four TDs. For his efforts, he was named the offensive athlete of the week by the WIAC. Peterson made his first career start against eventual national champion Whitewater and completed 10 of 19 passes for 156 yards. Against La Crosse, Peterson completed 70 percent of his passes, going 26 of 37 for 155 yards. He also carried the ball 10 times for 25 yards. In the loss to Platteville, Peterson set a then career-high, throwing for 205 yards. He also was the Blue Devil's second leading rusher, picking up 28 yards on 10 carries. Peterson finished last year with 1300 yards while completing 57.7 percent of his throws, with five touchdowns....Koerner left the team midway through preseason camp...Stout finished the season completing 171 of 332 passes for 1814 yards and 10 TDs, but hung out 22 interceptions....Stout finished fifth in the WIAC in passing, averaging 181.4 yards per game. Peterson averaged 144.4 yards per game, ranking fourth in the WIAC.
The Blue Devils return only one wide receiver from last year that caught more than five passes in a game, with Chris Pica-Anderson (Jr, Eleva) hauling in 17 passes for 142 yards, averaging 8.2 yards per grab. Pica-Anderson recorded eight catches for 94 yards against UW-Platteville. Pica-Anderson had five catches against UW-La Crosse. But the Blue Devils do return Brian Alvarez (Sr, Atwater, Calif), who sat out the 2014 season. Alvarez was the team's leading receiver in 2013, grabbing a team-high 51 passes for 525 yards, a 10.3 yards per catch average. Alvarez did snag 10 passes for 120 yards and his only collegiate TD vs. UW-River Falls in 2013. Tight ends returning for the Blue Devils include Reggie Kujak (Sr, Blair) who, at 6-foot, 7-inches, had eight catches for 112 yards at a 14.0 yard per catch average. While Kujak did not see the end zone last season, he did have three TD catches in 2013. Ben Hall saw time at tight end last year.
Injuries slowed down the Blue Devils' running game in 2014. Tanner Kuehn picked up the slack, and did it well, when Adolfo Pacheco (Jr, South Elgin, Ill) was slowed off and on due to injuries. Kuehn earned all-conference honors as an all-purpose back and led Stout in rushing with 582 yards, but Kuehn has since graduated. Pacheco was a second team all-conference selection in 2013, tallying 965 yards and nine TDs as a freshman. Last season, Pacheco ran for 370 yards with a season-high 118 yards in Stout's 21-17 home win over Loras. Pacheco recorded four 100 yard rushing games a freshman, but just one in 2014. Stout averaged 109.6 yards per game in 2014, ranking seventh, after ranking fourth in 2013.
The Blue Devils do return the bulk of their offensive line. Kane'ala Atchison-Keolanui (Jr, Lodi) was a second team all-conference selection at guard and earned preseason honorable mention All-America honors. David Koronkiewicz (Sr, Peshtigo) has held down the center spot the last two years. Last season, Logan Stoa (Jr, Hawley, Minn) started all 10 games at tackle and Corey Parris (Jr, West Bend) started the final five games at guard.
Stout finished the 2014 season averaging 291.0 yards of total offense, 109.6 rushing, 181.4 passing.
Kevin Houts (Sr, Bloomington, Minn) returns at defensive end after missing the majority of the season to injury...Iyen Ogbomoh (So, Olympia Fields, Ill) earned a spot on the defensive line last season, taking over for Houts after he was injured. Garrett Eide (Jr, Blair), who recovered two fumbles and caught a pass out of punt formation, played in all 10 games last year. Kyle Hoefft (Sr, Morton, Ill.). returns at linebacker. Hoefft, who is in his third season as a regular, recorded a big game against La Crosse, in which he had a sack and a forced fumble. Hoefft finished second on the team with 73 tackles, 38 solo. He finished with 9.5 tackles for loss and two sacks after recording a half sack and two tackles for loss against Platteville. His 9.5 tackles for loss finished 10th in the conference. In Stout's matchup versus Oshkosh, Hoefft had 12 tackles, eight solo and two tackles for loss, which he followed up with a 10 tackle game against Whitewater. On the season, Hoefft recorded double digit tackles twice and recorded less than five tackles just twice...
In the defensive backfield, safety Collin Laursen (Sr, Mondovi) and cornerback LaRon Thompson (Sr, Modesto, Calif) return as starters, with Laursen starting all 10 games after missing much of the 2013 season due to injury. Laursen recorded 13 tackles against UW-Whitewater, including eight solo, to lead the team. He also had two tackles for loss in that contest. Thompson led the team in pass break-ups with nine totaland had three against UW-Stevens Point.
The Blue Devils gave up 372.7 total yards on defense, 121.9 on the ground, 250.8 through the air. Stout finished second in the WIAC in rushing yards allowed per game (121.9) but were last in passing yards allowed (250.8). and second in third down conversion percentage, allowing their opponents to convert just 28.4 of their third down tries.
Kicking Game: Kicker Taylor Pahl (So, Hortonville) converted 6-of-11 field goals and was 15-of-17 on PATs. Pahl finished with 33 points, second on the team behind receiver Aaron Jenny's 48. Pahl connected on his last four field goals to close out the season. Pahl hit a career-long against UW-River Falls, connecting on a 42-yard field goal to seal Stout's victory late in the fourth quarter. Pahl has hit 13 consecutive PATs, including hitting 4-of-4 against UW-River Falls, and 3-of-3 against UW-Stevens Point in the final two games of the season...Against Wartburg College, Clark Riedel(So, Waukesha) was called on to punt 11 times. Against Wartburg, quarterback Aaron Koerner also punted once for team total of 12, which tied a Blue Devil team record set during the 1939 football season against Gustavus Adolphus. Riedel finished the season with a 38.4 yards per kick average, tied for third in the WIAC. Riedel had a season-long punt of 59 yards against UW-Platteville. Riedel finished the year placing 10 of his 49 punts inside the 20 yard line and 16 were fair caught.
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. Bethel, after finishing in a tie for second, were picked to finish third in the MIAC Football Coaches Preseason poll. The Royals are picked 20th in the 2015 preseason D3football.com Top 25 poll.
WHO'S WHO: Bethel University: The Royals were in the mix for the MIAC title until they dropped their final two games of the season, finishing the year at 7-3 overall. The Royals saw their chance at a ninth consecutive bid at an NCAA berth and a sixth MIAC title fade in a double overtime, 62-61, loss to Augsburg College to end the season. The Royals, who failed to complete a two-point conversion for the win in double OT, saw their 16-game win streak against the Auggies and their 15-game win-streak at home in regular season play come to an end. The loss also snapped a streak of 54 consecutive polls in which the Royals were among the nations Top 25. Together the two teams not only combined for over 120 points on the slippery and cold field, but the two squads amassed over 1200 yards of offense. Both teams set numerous records, but for the Royals it was Marshall Klitzke that set a new single-game scoring record with five touchdowns, on top of his 188 yards rushing. Moreover, Erik Peterson ended his career 22-of-31 with 319 yards and four touchdowns-all four to Bryce Marquardt, who hauled in 12 total passes for 231 yards. Klitzke, who received his first All-MIAC award and is expected to return, led the team and the conference in rushing touchdowns in loop play. His 6.3 yards per carry ranked second and his 97.1 yards per game ranked third among all ball carriers. Klitzke last season ran for 843 yards and 12 TDs. Klitzke had three 100-plus rushing games - including a career-best 188 yards vs. Augsburg - and has had six 100-plus rushing games in his career. The Royals will need to replace quarterback Peterson, the 2013 MIAC MVP, who was a second team all-MIAC selection last season, threw for 2137 yards and 22 TDs. The new quarterback will have an accomplished receiver to throw to in Bryce Marquardt, a second team all-MIAC selection who hauled in 56 passes for 933 yards and 13 TDs. Defensively, first team all-MIAC Landon Mathis returns to the linebacker spot after missing the final two games of the season due to injury.
THE MATCHUP:Comparing the numbers:
| Stout | WIAC Rank | | MIAC Rank | Bethel |
|---|
| 14.3 | 7 | PPG | 4 | 24.3 |
| 27.0 | 7 | Opp. PPG | 4 | 23.0 |
| 181.4 | 5 | Pass Yds | 5 | 217.2 |
| 109.6 | 7 | Rush Yds | 4 | 194.0 |
| -10 (13-23) | 6 | Turnover /- | 6 | -1 (17-18) |
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: In the final game of the 2014 season, Garrett Peterson was named the offensive player of the week...Luke Bakkum was named defensive player of the week...Taylor Pahl was the special teams player of the week...Kyle Kurtenbach was selected as the offensive scout team player of the week...Dalton Johnston was selected as defensive 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 2013 when they played four home games, the Blue Devils play five home games in 2015. Stout opens the 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 (20-30) 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.
Bethel University: Steve Johnson (192-82-1) is in his 28th season as the head football coach at Bethel. Under Johnson's leadership, Bethel's football program has risen to national prominence and has become a perennial contender for the MIAC championship.
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 is a member of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Stout (0-0, 0-0 WIAC) and finished seventh in league play. The Blue Devils were picked to finish eighth in a
WIAC preseason poll in mid-August. Bethel University (0-0, 0-0 MIAC) is a member of the Minnesota Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (MIAC) and last season finished third.
SEASON HONORS: 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
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
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
10 receptions, 120 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 9, 2013
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
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
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
DON & NONA WILLIAMS STADIUM MARKS
Longest Pass Play
87 - Jon Bane to Anthony Muilenburg (Dakota Wesleyan) Sept. 7, 2013
85 - Michael Blizel to Trevor Morning vs. Jamestown, Sept. 8, 2012
Longest Run from Scrimmage
86 - Craig Warminski vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 13, 2010
Longest Field Goal
55 - Nick Dace (North Central College), Sept. 15, 2012
53 - Nick Dace (North Central College), Sept. 15, 2012
Longest Punt Return
80 - Craig Warminski vs. Eureka College, Sept. 18, 2010
Longest Kickoff Return
90 - Carlos Concepcion vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 23, 2010
Most Rushing Yards in a Game
328 - Luke Bundgaard vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003
207 - Taylor Edwards (UW-River Falls), Oct. 3, 2009
207 - Justin Biever (UW-Whitewater), Nov. 5, 2005
Most Yards Passing in a Game
446 - Tom Stetzer (UW-Platteville), Sept. 29, 2001
381 - Dylan Jones (Loras College), Sept. 13, 2014
358 - Brett Borchert (UW-Stevens Point), Oct. 16, 2004
349 - Austin Neu (UW-Eau Claire), Oct. 1, 2011
Most Yards Receiving in a Game
243 - Max Boe (Jamestown), Sept. 11, 2010
238 - Nate Even (Loras College), Sept. 13, 2014
Most TDs Scored in a Game
4 - Luke Bundgaard vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003
PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2015: The Blue Devils have a full slate of promotions scheduled for 2013, beginning with Dorm Days for the Sept. 19 contest with Wartburg College. Oct. 3vs. 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 reunion in general.
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 is 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 travel to Dubuque, Iowa, to take on Loras College, Saturday, Sept. 12.
