THIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (5-2, 3-2 WIAC) will be at UW-La Crosse (6-2, 3-2 WIAC) Saturday, Nov. 4 at 1 p.m. La Crosse and Stout are in a three-way for third place in the WIAC. The Blue Devils are coming off a 55-7 win over UW-Eau Claire, while the Eagles are coming off a 27-20 win over UW-Platteville.
The Blue Devils' 2-0 start propelled the Blue Devils to 25th on the D3football.com Top 25. Stout moved up to 24th the following week, then jumped two spots to 22nd before the loss to Platteville dropped Stout one spot to No. 23 and the loss to UW-Whitewater put Stout in the receiving votes category. The last time Stout appeared in the poll was when they received votes for several weeks midway through the 2010 season and the last time Stout cracked the D3football Top 25 was during Week 5 of the 2005 season. Stout received votes in the first AFCA Division III Coaches Poll, then moved up to 25th during the second poll. The Blue Devils fell out of the AFCA's Division III Coach's Poll after the Platteville loss. After the win over UW-River Falls, the Blue Devils reappeared in the receiving votes category, with four votes during Week 7 in the D3football.com poll and returned to the "Receiving Votes" category of the AFCA Coaches Poll after a win over UW-Stevens Point. Stout fell out of the "Receiving Votes" category in the D3football.com poll after the Eau Claire game, but stayed in the RV category in the AFCA Coaches 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 880 WMEQ radio 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: The Blue Devils defeated UW-Eau Claire, 55-7, Oct. 28, scoring more points against the Blugolds than in any other game in the 100 year history of the rivalry. The win is Stout's third consecutive win over the Blugolds, and the 55 points is also the most points Stout has scored against Eau Claire in the 100-year rivalry that dates back to 1917 when Stout won, 49-0.  Stout rolled up 433 yards of total offense, their second 400-plus game of the season and a season-high. Stout rushed for 222 yards and gained 211 yards through the air. Stout scored on all four of their trips into the red zone.
Keyshawn Carpenter (97 yards) and
Jay Alston (77 yards) led Stout on the ground, with
Lucian Coutier finishing with 47 yards.
Akema Collins pulled in four passes for 86 yards and
Kevion McDonald had 76 yards on three receptions. The Blugolds were held to 250 total yards by the WIAC's top defense. JT DenHartog rushed 22 times for 65 yards and completed 23-of-35 passes for 151 yards. He was sacked twice. The Blugolds were held to 99 rushing yards. The Stout defense stopped Eau Claire on fourth down five of seven times. Eau Claire was able to convert on third down only 4-of-18 times.
LAST TIME OUT: LA CROSSE: The Eagles snapped an eight-game losing streak to UW-Platteville with a 27-20 win at ninth-ranked Platteville. The Eagles last earned a win over the Pioneers, 37-6 in 2008. It is the Eagles' first winning season since 2007 (5-4) and the six victories are the most since 2006 (9-2), the last time UWL made the NCAA Division III Playoffs. UWL finished with 387 yards of offense Saturday, including 121 rushing and 266 passing. The Eagles had 22 first downs. Drew David went 14-of-23 for 266 yards and three touchdowns while also rushing for a team-high 71 yards on 16 attempts. Nick Holcomb caught seven passes for 138 yards and two touchdowns. With the two touchdown catches, Holcomb ties the single-season record of 14. UW-Platteville totaled 504 yards of offense, including 154 rushing and 350 passing.
WHEN STOUT AND LA CROSSE LAST MET:  UW-Stout lost 42-6 to UW-La Crosse last season on their annual homecoming game at Don and Nona Williams Stadium. UW-La Crosse finished the game with 410 total yards of offense and UW-Stout finished with 245. The Blue Devils were 1-15 on third down conversions and it looked to be the story of the score. The Blue Devils went up 6-0 in the first on two field goals by
Drew Pearson. UW-Stout's score would stay still for the rest of the game, while UW-La Crosse would score 42 unanswered points.
THE SERIES: The Eagles hold a 70-16-5 lead in the series over the Blue Devils, the most wins of any team over Stout. The Eagles have won the last five games. Stout's last win came in 2011 with a 10-0.
UW-STOUT: One of the big reasons for the Blue Devils' turnaround this season has been the play of the defense. The Blue Devils are currently ranked first in the WIAC in total defense, allowing 271.6 yards per contest, 25th in the NCAA Division III. The Blue Devils also top the league in scoring defense, allowing 15.7 points per outing (37th nationally). The Blue Devils have not allowed more than 315 total yards of offense this season, and that came in the team's 25-22 win over fourth-ranked St. Thomas on Sept. 9. Stout has limited their opponent to less than 300 yards their last four games, allowing UW-Eau Claire 250, UW-Stevens Point 268, UW-River Falls 220 and UW-Whitewater 221. Last season, Stout held only two opponents to less than 300 yards, and four times allowed more than 500 yards. Stout's rushing defense is ranked second (83.9 y/g) in the WIAC (23rd NCAA) and their passing defense is ranked third (187.7 y/g). Stout's red zone defense (58.3) is ranked first in the WIAC (tied for 11th, NCAA). The Blue Devils are second in the WIAC in sacks at 25, with high school teammates
Isaiah Hardy (4.5) and
Iyen Ogbomoh (4.0) leading the way.
Aaron Wisecup and
Josh Johnson each have three sacks and
Luke Wilz has two. Stout is ranked 25th nationally in total defense, 23rd in rushing defense and 11th in red zone defense.
Offensively, Stout is averaging 336.7 yards per game, 203.9 throwing, 132.9 rushing. The Blue Devils ranks sixth in total offense in the WIAC, sixth in passing, seventh in rushing and seventh in scoring offense. The Blue Devils are outscoring their opponents, 113-103 (18.8-17.2). Stout ranks fourth in scoring defense.Â
The Blue Devils started the season off guns-a-blazing, blanking Simpson College, 17-0, and then stunned the D3 world with a 25-22 upset over then fourth-ranked St. Thomas at Williams Stadium. The Blue Devils shot to as high as 22nd in the D3football.com poll and had two weeks off before starting the conference season at ninth-ranked UW-Platteville, falling to the Pioneers, 34-27. The Blue Devils returned south the next week and were blanked at UW-Whitewater, 14-0. Stout has won their last three games and their four wins on the season is the most since Stout went 5-5 during the 2011 season.
THROWING THE BALL:Â
Jay Alston has completed 76-of-153 passes for 1136 yards, eight TDs, but eight interceptions. Alston ranks fourth in the WIAC in passing yards per game (189.3). Alston has also caught two passes for 20 total yards. Sophomore
J.Dan Sturgeon had himself a game in his first collegiate start, completing his first collegiate pass from scrimmage for 77 yards and a TD to
Kevion McDonald in a 25-22 upset over St. Thomas, Sept. 9. Sturgeon was 13-of-27 for 248 yards, three TDs and two interceptions. Sturgeon also caught a two-point conversion to score his first collegiate points. Three other players,
Akema Collins,
Mason Sturm and
Kevion McDonald have all completed a pass this season.
CATCHING THE BALL: Kevion McDonald has a team-best 29 receptions for 462 yards (15.9 y/catch) and four TDs. McDonald also has a rushing TD, giving him five TDs on the season, a team-best. McDonald is averaging 4.2 receptions per game and is seventh in the WIAC and is eighth in receiving yards per game (66.0). Â
Akema Collins had a career-game, grabbing six catches for 155 yards against UW-Platteville, the most individual receiving yards in a single game in two years for the Blue Devils. On the season, Collins, who started all 10 games last season, has 20 catches for 377 yards, ranking right behind McDonald in yards per game (53.9).Â
Brian Sandifer, Stout's touchdowns leader last season, has 17 grabs for 240 yards and four receiving TDs, matching McDonald's receiving TD totals.
Josh Malone has five catches, including a game-winning 12-yard TD reception against St. Thomas, and has 66 total yards..
Jaavion Bradley pulled in his first Stout TD reception, a 10-yard grab at UW-Platteville, added another catch against UW-Whitewater and two more against UW-River Falls. Tight end
Dustin Rondorf has been on the receiving end of five passes for 54 total yards. Fellow tight end
Mason Sturm has one reception for 10 yards, but has a pass completion out of a fake punt, good for 15 yards and a first down to defensive back
Levi Wolf.
RUNNING THE BALL: Sophomore
Rayshawn Graham has had two 100-yard rushing games this season, running for 105 yards against UW-Platteville on 15 carries and for 100 yards against UW-River Falls. On the season, Graham is averaging 4.5 yards per carry and has 395 total rushing yards on 82 carries, ranking fourth in the WIAC (65.8 y/game).
Keyshawn Carpenter broke out for 97 yards and two TDs against Eau Claire and has 237 net rushing yards on 61 carries. Receiver
Kevion McDonald has 118 total rushing yards on 12 carries.
DOUBLE THREAT: Wide receiver
Kevion McDonald has the longest rushing and receiving plays from scrimmage this season. McDonald caught a 77-yard touchdown pass from
J.Dan Sturgeon on Stout's first play from scrimmage in a 25-22 win over St. Thomas, Sept. 9. McDonald took off on a 71-yard scamper to the Stevens Point 3-yard line in a 23-17 win over UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21. Both plays came at Williams Stadium.
IN THE TRENCHES: The offensive line returns the right side in tact with senior
Cody Marquardt at tackle and junior
Caleb Adams at guard.
Thomas Roble,
Justin Herbst and
Bailey Roux have taken over at tackle, guard and center, respectively.
A SENIOR DEFENSE: Defensively, the Blue Devils return seven starters in defensive linemen
Isaiah Hardy,
Troy Rudesill and
Tim Rue; linebackers
Iyen Ogbomoh and
Josh Johnson and defensive backs
Tony Blair and
Enzo Rosani. Blair, an honorable mention all-conference selection, was the team's - and the WIAC's - leading tackler with 101 tackles. Blair also had a conference-leading 65 solo tackles and ranked 18th nationally in solo tackles. Blair ranked 47th nationally in total tackles. Playing in a safety spot last year, Rosani led the team in interceptions with three and had 26 tackles and forced a fumble. Rosani played cornerback his first year with the Blue Devils before moving to safety. Rudesill returns as the nose guard where he had 33 tackles, four for loss and his first career interception. Hardy has been active as a defensive end, leading the team last season in sacks with 7.0 for 41 yards. A hard hitter, Hardy forced a team-best two fumbles and finished with 33 tackles. The lanky Ogbomoh trailed only his high school teammate Hardy in sacks, racking up 5.5, with 26 tackles of which 17 were solo. Ogbomoh was the WIAC player of the week last September after a 2.5 sack day against Mayville State. A standout special teams player, Ogbomoh has a penchant for blocking kicks, with seven to his career. Johnson recovered nicely from an early season injury in 2015 to making a statement in 2016. Playing in seven games, Johnson collected 48 tackles - third on the team - and had six tackles for loss. Pierson, who is a physical player, had 53 tackles in 2015, along with three interceptions and nine pass break ups.
EYE FOR THE BALL: Defensively, linebacker
Josh Johnson leads the team in tackles with 48, 28 solo, and the senior has five pass break-ups. The linebackers have been active.Â
Luke Wilz has 43 tackles, 28 solo and a pair of pass break-ups.
Nick Schulenburg has 40 tackles, 22 solo. Defensive back
Levi Wolf has 38 tackles, 15 solo, with three interceptions for 60 yards and four pass break-ups. Free safety
Tony Blair has 39 tackles, 24 solo, and an interception that he returned 17 yards.
WOLF'S INSTINCTS: Safety
Levi Wolf is tied for second in the conference in interceptions with three. Wolf had two interceptions against St. Thomas, then stepped in front a UW-Stevens Point, returning it 28 yards for his first career pick-6. Wolf also blocked a punt against Platteville that teammate
Jed Schlegel scooped up and returned 47 yards for his first collegiate score. Wolf also caught a 15-yard pass out of punt formation against St. Thomas.
OPPORTUNITY STRIKES FOR SCHLEGEL: The stat line on defensive back
Jed Schlegel isn't overly impressive, but it is what the sophomore has done when he has been near the ball that has been big for the Blue Devils this season.
Levi Wolf blocked a punt against UW-Platteville Sept. 30, and Schlegel scooped up the ball, returning it 47 yards for a score, his first collegiate points. Schlegel has been opportunistic this season. He made his first big play of the year when he broke up a pass on fourth down to clinch the win over nationally ranked St. Thomas, followed that up in the next game in Platteville with the blocked punt return. Schlegel had an interception in the end zone to put a stop to a late UW-River Falls drive. Schlegel has seven tackles, four solo.
BAT IT AWAY: Senior defensive back
Michael Pierson has been tested the last several games against UW-River Falls, UW-Stevens Point and UW-Eau Claire, and he has passed the test. The 5-foot-9 senior has batted away four passes against both the Falcons and the Pointers, including several in the end zone, then added two more against the Blugolds to bring his season total to 12, matching his personal-best from 2015. Pierson also returned a fumble 15 yards for a TD against Eau Claire. Pierson was the WIAC defensive player of the week for his play against Eau Claire.
GIVE IT A BOOT: The kicking game has been one of the Blue Devils' strengths the past couple of years. Junior place kicker
Drew Pearson earned national recognition last season. Pearson, who won the place kicking job early last season, earned All-America status on two separate teams while he set a school record with 16 field goals made during the season. Pearson was 16-of-19 in field goals - including two of more than 50 yards - and made all 27 extra points to lead the Blue Devils in scoring with 75 points. Pearson has earned preseason All-America nods for the 2017 season with D3football.com, Lindy's, Street & Smith and HERO Sports Network, along with returning to the Fred Mitchell Award watch list. Senior punter
Clark Riedel was a first team all-WIAC selection and an all-district pick, averaging 39.1 yards per boot and placed 15 punts inside the 20 yard line. Riedel is the holder for Pearson and long snapper
Clay Dziekan returns for his third season.
Taylor Pahl returns for his senior season and is a back-up to Pearson. Paul has booted nine field goals over his career and is 24-of-27 in extra points.
Pearson, who has not had as many chances this year, broke out for the year in the win over UW-Stevens Point. The junior from Wausau was 3-for-4 in field goals, including a 53-yarder that was one yard short of the school and conference record, earning WIAC special teams player of the week honors. Pearson also booted a pair of PATs, and scored 11 points. The only field goal Pearson missed was a 54-yard attempt. Pearson is one of three kickers in the WIAC to attempt field goals longer than 50 yards, but the only WIAC kicker to succeed when he made the 53 yard boot. Bruce Wesling of La Crosse attempted a 51-yard kick vs. Eau Claire and Wojciech Gasienica of UW-Whitewater attempted a 52-yard boot against Illinois Wesleyan. Pearson is currently 7-of-11 in field goals and 17-of-19 in PATS, making seven against Eau Claire. Pearson leads the team in points scored with 38.
Clark Riedel is averaging 39.3 yards per punt, third in the WIAC. Riedel has had 12 punts fair caught and has put nine inside the 20-yard line.
CLIMBING THE LADDER: Blue Devil kicker
Drew Pearson is currently tied for 11th on the UW-Stout all-time scoring list with 146 points. Wide receiver
Kevion McDonald is currently 19th on the all-time receiving list with 1178 career yards. Quarterback
Jay Alston is currently 11th on the all-time passing list with 2964 yards.
PRESEASON POLLS: The Blue Devils
finished seventh in the competitive WIAC last season and according to a preseason poll by WIAC football coaches and sports information directors, the Blue Devils are picked to finish sev
enth again this year.
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WHO'S WHO LA CROSSE: Senior quarterback Tarek Yaeggi is 118-of-190 for 1,510 yards with 14 touchdowns and three interceptions this season, but has been out since playing at UW-Whitewater, Oct. 13. Junior quarterback Drew David made his fourth career start versus UW-Oshkosh Oct. 21, finishing 35-of-57 for 414 yards with two touchdowns and three interceptions. Senior running back Troy Bailey leads La Crosse with 205 yard rushing. He is second on the team in rushing attempts (51) and touchdowns (3). Sophomore running back Trenten Smith is second on the team with 173 yards rushing while leading in attempts (55) and rushing touchdowns (5). Senior wide receiver Nick Holcomb leads UWL with 64 catches for 1,050 yards and 14 touchdowns this season. He tied a school record with 15 catches in UWL's 42-28 defeat to UW-Oshkosh Oct. 21.La Crosse is averaging 427.5 yards of offense this year, including 130.9 rushing and 296.6 passing. Opponents are averaging 17.1 points and 327.4 yards of offense per game, including 181.6 rushing and 145.8 passing. Senior linebacker Noah Risch lead UWL with 48 tackles through the first eight games this season. Risch had a team-leading 13 tackles in a 21-14 loss to UW-Whitewater Oct 13 ... He is second on the team with 8.5 tackles for loss.Â
THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:
| Stout |
WIAC Rank |
|
WIAC Rank |
La Crosse |
| 24.0 |
4 |
PPG |
2 |
32.8 |
| 15.7 |
1 |
Opp. PPG |
4 |
17.1 |
| 203.9 |
6 |
Pass Yds |
1 |
296.6 |
| 132.9 |
5 |
Rush Yds |
6 |
129.2 |
| -7 (10/17) |
8 |
Turnover /- |
2 |
+7Â (5/9) |
LOTS OF RANKED OPPONENTS: The Blue Devils play three teams that are ranked In the fifth D3football.com Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils defeated St. Thomas (No. 4), Saturday, Sept. 9, 25-22, lost, 34-27, at UW-Platteville (No. 9) Saturday, Sept. 30, and host UW-Oshkosh (No.3) Saturday, Nov. 11 to close the season. Whitewater is slowly creeping their way through the receiving votes category. Stout and UW-La Crosse are also receiving votes.
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Offensive player of the week: Jay Alston, Jr, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo). Defensive player of the week: Michael Pierson, Sr, Lino Lake, Minn. (Centennial)/Luke Wilz, So, Manawa, Wis.. Special teams player of the week: Josh Malone, Sr, Gordon, Wis. (Northwoods); Â Offensive scout player of the week: Jack Rashid, Fr, Duluth, Minn. (East); Defensive scout player of the week: Karon Stampley, Fr, Crete, Ill (Crete-Monee) Offensive lineman of the week: Thomas Roble, So, Carver, Minn. (Chanhassen)
TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2017 season include linebacker Jared Allen (Sr, Maple Grove, Minn), linebacker Nick Schulenberg (Sr, Fort Atkinson), defensive lineman Troy Rudesill (Sr, Spring Valley) and punter Clark Riedel (Sr, Waukesha).
NATIONAL RANKINGS: When Stout was voted 25th in the 2017 Week 2 Top 25 poll, it was the first time Stout was ranked in the Top 25 since Week 5 of the 2005 season when the Blue Devils were ranked 23rd. During 2017, Stout climbed as high as 22nd in the D3football.com poll in week four, but fell out of the Top 25 after consecutive losses to UW-Platteville and UW-Whitewater. The Blue Devils reappeared in the receiving votes category during the Week 7 poll. The last time Stout received votes in the D3football.com poll was during the 2010 season. Stout often received votes during the 2000s. The Blue Devils appeared in the AFCA Coaches poll during the Sept. 25 poll, ranking 25th. Stout returned to the Receiving Votes category in the AFCA poll Oct. 24.
ODDS AND ENDS: Previous to the 2017 season, the last time the Blue Devils were mentioned in the D3football.com Top 25 was when they received votes during the 2010 season.
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THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (31-46) is in his eighth 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: Menomonie native Mike Schmidt (11-7) is in his second season as UW-La Crosse head football coach. Â Named the 13th head football coach in school history February 4, 2016, Schmidt led the Eagles to a 5-5 overall record in 2016. Â UWLÂ set single-season school records for passing completions (258), attempts (421) and yards (3,084) in 2016 while finishing second in first downs (250), total offensive attempts (883) and total offensive yards (4,748). A 2008 graduate of UWL, Schmidt was a four-year football and baseball letter winner for the Eagles.
COACHING STAFF: Travis Destache returns as the defensive coordinator.. Chase Vogel returns for his fourth year and will work with the quarterbacks and the passing game.
Derek Branch returned to UW-Stout where he played for two years, earning all-conference honors as an offensive lineman. Branch will work with the offensive line. Luke Pederson joined the staff last season and will work with the linebackers. Jed Stutzman returns, as does student assistant coach Matt McKone and graduate assistant Jake Pollock. Tony Lombardi begins his second year with the Blue Devils and brings 30-plus years of coaching experience to his work with defensive backs. Jeff Sullivan returns after 11 years. Jeff Sullivan coached with the Blue Devils from 2003-05, returning last year after an 11 year hiatus from college football. During the interim, Sullivan was an assistant coach with a number of high school programs and is a member of the first class to earn their PhD at Stout.
THE LEAGUES: UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire 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 seventh in a WIAC preseason poll
released in mid-August. UW-Eau Claire was predicted to finish eighth in the WIAC preseason poll.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Senior
Jared Allen has been nominated as a National Football Foundation (NFF) scholar-athlete for 2017 and has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Cambell Trophy. Allen, a team captain, is a business major from Maple Grove, Minn., graduating from Hopkins High School. Allen has been involved with the Stout Student Association (SSA) senate throughout much of his tenure at Stout.
SEASON HONORS: 2017: Defensive back
Michael Pierson was selected as the WIAC defensive athlete of the week after returning a fumble for 15 yards against UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28....quarterback
Jay Alston was selected at the UW-Stout/Toppers athlete of the week after throwing for two TDs and running for two more in a 55-7 win over UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28...Wide receiver
Kevion McDonald was selected as the UW-Stout/Toppers athlete of the week after recording six catches for 112 yards and running four times for 83 yards against UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21...Kicker
Drew Pearson was selected the WIAC special teams player of the week after kicking three field goals, including a 53-yarder, and added two PATs in Stout's 23-17 win over UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21...Wide receiver
Kevion McDonald was the UW-Stout/Toppers athlete of the week after catching six passes for 112 yards and running the ball four times for 83 yards...Safety
Levi Wolf was selected as the WIAC defensive player of the week and was named to the D3football.com team of the week after Stout's 25-22 win over St. Thomas, Sept. 9...Wide receiver
Kevion McDonald and safety
Levi Wolf were selected as UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week after Stout's 25-22 win over St. Thomas...Linebacker
Luke Wilz was named the WIAC defensive player of the week after notching 12 tackles against Simpson College in the season opener...place kicker
Drew Pearson received preseason All-America honors by D3football.com, Street and Smith magazine, Lindy's magazine, and HERO Sports Network. Pearson is also on the watch list for the Fred Mitchell Award, an award he was a semi-finalist for last season.
TOPPERS: The following are career bests for several of Stout's offensive players
Jay Alston - Passing
15 comp, 27 att, 311 yds, 3 TDs vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016
16 comp, 29 att, 289 yds, 4 TDs vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 22, 2016
18 comp, 33 att, 247 yds, 2 TDs vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 5, 2016
14 comp, 30 att, 235 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017
10 comp, 21 att, 203 yds, 2 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
14 comp, 26 att, 198 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21, 2017
10 comp, 21 att, 183 yds. 3 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 14, 2017
16 comp, 33 att, 135 yds, 2 TDs, vs. UW-Whitewater, Nov. 14, 2015
13 comp, 28 att, 161 yds, 2 TDs, vs UW-Platteville, Oct. 29, 2016
10 comp, 20 att, 148 yds, 1 TD, vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 10, 2016
J.Dan Sturgeon - Passing
13 comp, 27 att, 248 yds, 3 TDs vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
Jay Alston - Rushing
9 carries, 96 yards, 2 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 15, 2016
6 carries, 77 yards, 2 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
Keyshawn Carpenter - Rushing
11 carries, 97 yards, 2 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
17 carries, 77 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
12 carries, 59 yards vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 19, 2015
Rayshawn Graham - Rushing
15 carries,105 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017
19 carries, 100 yards vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 14, 2017
5 carries, 52 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
14 carries, 61 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 7, 2017
17 carries, 50 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
Kevion McDonald - Rushing
4 carries, 83 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21, 2017
Lucian Coutier - Rushing
5 carries, 51 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
4 carries, 41 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
Kevion McDonald - Receiving
7 receptions, 133 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
6 receptions, 112 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21, 2017
5 receptions, 98 yards vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015
4 receptions, 94 yards, vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 5, 2016
6 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 29, 2016
3 receptions, 76 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
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
Akema Collins - Receiving
6 receptions, 155 yards vs. UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017
4 receptions, 86 yards, 1Â TDÂ vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
3 receptions, 50 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 7, 2017
3 receptions, 49 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 10, 2016
3 receptions, 39 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
2 receptions, 35 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016
Brian Sandifer - Receiving
8 receptions, 101 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Whitewater, Nov. 12, 2016
5 receptions, 101 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 29, 2016
5 receptions, 78 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 5, 2016
3 receptions, 55 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 14, 2017
4 receptions, 19 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 7, 2017
2 receptions, 64 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
Dustin Rondorf - Receiving
2 reception, 24, yards vs. UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017
2 receptions, 21 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
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, 2015
Longest Run from Scrimmage
86 - Craig Warminski vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 13, 2010
85 - Adolfo Pacheco run for TD vs. Eau Claire, Oct. 15, 2016
Longest Field Goal
55 - Nick Dace (North Central College), Sept. 15, 2012
53 - Drew Pearson (UW-Stout), Oct. 21, 2017
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
THE LAST TIME A STOUT PLAYER...
Threw for 400-plus yards
418 - Hank Kujak vs. Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015 (22 comp, 44 att, 3 TD)
457 - Matt Bunyan vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 7, 1998 (31 comp, 58 att, 4 TD)
Threw for 300-399 yards
311 - Jay Alston vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016 (15 comp, 27 att, 3 TDs)
325 - Hank Kujak vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 7, 2015 (16 comp, 31 att, 3 TD)
357 - Hank Kujak vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015 (23 comp, 48 att, 5 TD)
Ran for 300-plus yards
328 - Luke Bundgaard vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003 (53* carries, 4 TD)
Ran for 200-299 yards
207 - Craig Warminski vs. UW-La Crosse, Nov. 1, 2008 (32 carries, 2 TD)
Ran for 100-199 yards
105 - Rayshawn Graham vs.UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017 (15 carries)
105 - Travis Urlaub vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015 (10 carries, 1 TD)
119 - Adolfo Pacheco vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 15, 2016 (11 carries, 1 TD)
104 - Travis Urlaub vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016 (23 carries, 1 TD)
Recorded 200-plus receiving yards
223 - Jordan Dabney vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016 (5 rec, 2 TDs)
241* - Dan Austin vs. UW-La Crosse, Nov. 1, 2003 (9 rec, 1 TD)
Recorded 150-199 receiving yards
155 - Akama Collins vs. UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017 (6 rec)
159 - Brian Alvarez vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015 (10 rec, 3 TD)
Caught 10-plus receptions
10 - Brian Alvarez vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015 (159 yds, 3TD)
Returned a kickoff 90-plus yards
96t - Noel Gonzalez at UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 5, 2016
90t - Carlos Concepcion vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 23, 2010
Scored 4 touchdowns
4 - Craig Warminski vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 25, 2008 (28 carries, 250 yds)
Scored 3 touchdowns
3 - Brian Alvarez vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015 (10 rec, 159 yds)
Recorded two interceptions
2 - Levi Wolf vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
2 - Enzo Rosani vs. Mayville State, Sept. 17, 2016
Successfully Kicked a 50-plus yard field goal
53 - Drew Pearson vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21, 2017
51 - Drew Pearson at UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 1, 2016
52 - Drew Pearson at Mayville State, Sept. 17, 2016 (just before halftime)
52 - Brandon Raciborski vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 20, 2007 (game winner with 45 seconds remaining)
Returned a blocked punt for a score
Jed Schlegel, 47 yards vs. UW-Platteville (Levi Wolf block), Sept. 30, 2017
Returned a blocked field goal for a score
Enzo Rosani, 86 yards vs. UW-La Crosse (Travis Shackleton block), Oct. 10, 2015
Returned an interception for a score
Levi Wolf, 28 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21, 2017
Iyen Ogbomoh, 5 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016
Returned an fumble for a score
Michael Pierson, 15 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
* school record
BIG KICKOFF RETURNS: Noel Gonzalez returned a kickoff 96 yards for a touchdown against UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 5, 2016 at Stevens Point. The return was the longest return since Mike Bechtel returned a 98-yard kickoff return against UW-Whitewater, Oct. 14, 1995 on the Blue Devils' homecoming. Carlos Concepcion returned a kick 90 yards against UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 23, 2010. Jesse Wendt, who holds the school single season record for kickoff return average, returned a kickoff 90 yards in 2004. Tony Beckham did not have any 90-plus yard returns, but in back-to-back seasons, the future NFL draftee returned an 88-yard kickoff and an 89-yard return in 2000 and 2001, respectively.
FIELD GOAL BLOCK & RETURN: During the 2015 season, Travis Shackleton blocked a 29-yard field goal attempt by UW-La Crosse in La Crosse, Oct. 10, 2015, 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
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.Â
UP NEXT: The Blue Devils will close the regular season when they host UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Nov. 11 at 2 p.m. It will be Senior Day as well as Military Appreciation Day.
