Football Preview: Blue Devils, Pioneers in a battle of nationally ranked teams

THIS WEEK'S GAME: In a game featuring two nationally ranked teams, UW-Stout (2-0, 0-0 WIAC), ranked 22nd by D3football.com and 25th by the AFCA Coaches' Poll, return to action to face No. 12/10-ranked UW-Platteville (3-0, 0-0 WIAC), Saturday, Sept. 30 to open WIAC play at 2 p.m. The Blue Devils had two weeks off since coming off their biggest win in many years when they upended fourth-ranked St. Thomas, 25-22, Sept. 9 at Don and Nona Williams Stadium.

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 and jumped two spots to 22nd this week. 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.

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. Interview for Platteville Game | Weekly Interviews

LAST TIME OUT: UW-STOUT: In one of the biggest victories in school history, the Blue Devils defeated fourth-ranked St. Thomas, 25-22, Sept. 9 at Don and Nona Williams Stadium. J.Dan Sturgeon made his first start at quarterback for UW-Stout and the game will be a memorable one for the sophomore from Indiana. Sturgeon shrugged off two interceptions and led the Blue Devils (2-0) by completing 13-of-27 passes for 248 yards and three touchdowns, including the eventual game winner to Josh Malone with less than 90 seconds on the clock. But it was the defense that shined for the second straight game, holding the Tommies to 100 yards total rushing and All-America running back Jordan Roberts to 46 yards on the ground. | Stats and Story

LAST TIME OUT: UW-PLATTEVILLE: The Pioneers defeated Lakeland College, 56-22, on Sept. 23 in Platteville to stay unbeaten to open the season. Thirteenth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville raced out to a 28-0 lead and rolled past visiting Lakeland 56-22 Saturday night in Platteville. The Pioneers, who came from behind in their first two victories, needed no comeback Saturday. They gained 241 yards and scored touchdowns on their first four drives. Sean Studer ran in for a two-yard score in the first quarter, then Tyler Blang connected with Mark Johnson for second-period touchdown passes of 14 and 30 yards, the latter with Johnson extended full out in the end zone to haul in the bomb. Wyatt Thompson finished the early onslaught with a nine-yard TD. | Stats and Story

WHEN STOUT AND PLATTEVILLE LAST MET: For the diehard UW-Stout football fans who hung around through the light rain during the game, they got to see a few Blue Devils fireworks Oct. 29, 2016, at Williams Stadium. UW-Platteville rolled up a 48-6 lead before the Blue Devils were able to put a touchdown on the board, but once they started, they piled up three TDs in a 55-27 loss to the 11th ranked Pioneers Saturday at Don and Nona Williams Stadium. | Stats and Story

THE SERIES: The Pioneers hold a 26-23-1 lead in the series that began in 1935 with a 25-8 Platteville win. The Pioneers have won the last six games, dating back to 2011. During that stretch, Platteville has outscored Stout, 267-109 (45-18).  Stout's last win over the Pioneers came during the 2010 season, a 28-23 in in Platteville. Stout won four straight games from 2007-10.


WHO'S WHO: UW-Stout: Jay Alston had a good sophomore season at quarterback, but played only in the Blue Devils' first game of the season where he completed 16-of-32 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown, but two interceptions. 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. Sturgeon was 13-of-27 for 248 yards, three TDs and two interceptions. Sturgeon also caught a two-point conversion for his first collegiate points.

CATCHING THE BALL:  Kevion McDonald and Brian Sandifer have made the most noise of the Blue Devils receivers. McDonald has 14 receptions for 174 yards and two TDs, including a 77-yard pass on the first play from scrimmage in the 25-22 upset over St. Thomas. McDonald is averaging 12.4 yards per catch - last year he averaged 15.5 yards. . Sandifer, last year's leading scorer, has hauled in five catches for 118 yards for a healthy 23.6 yards per catch average. Akema Collins, who started all 10 games last year, has four catches for 45 yards and 11.2 yards per catch.  Collins is also averaging 5.4 yards per punt return. Josh Malone picked an opportune time to make his second career pass, a 12-yard grab for a TD with 1:27 left on the clock to give Stout their first lead of the game in the win over St. Thomas. Tight end Dustin Rondorf has two catches for 21 yards senior tight end Mason Sturm has not only 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.  

Noel Gonzalez should see more time this year in the slot and has one catch. Last season, Gonzalez had only one reception, but earned WIAC special teams player of the week honors when he returned one of the longest kickoffs in school history, a 96 yarder for a score against UW-Stevens Point. Heaven Hunt, who transferred from Concordia-St. Paul, should find time on the field after seeing time for the Division II program last season.

RUNNING THE BALL: No one has taken control of who will run the ball, but the Blue Devils are only two games into the season. Rayshawn Graham had a pair of good games coming off the bench, rushing for 50 yards against Simpson and 52 yards against St. Thomas, getting the bulk of that against the Tommies on a 31-yard ramble. Graham has 102 rushing yards and is yet to score his first collegiate TD. Keyshawn Carpenter has carried the ball into the end zone once, and has tallied 88 total yards.

IN THE TRENCHES: The offensive line returns the right side in tact with senior Cody Marquardt at tackle and junior Caleb Adams at tackle. The Blue Devils will need to replace all-conference left tackle Kane'ala Atchison-Keolanui and left guard Logan Stoa, as well as starting center Corey Parris, whose career was cut short due to injury.. Sophomore Thomas Roble, freshman Bailey Roux and Justin Herbst have earned the starts over the first two games.

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.

The Blue Devil defense is the only WIAC team to this year post a shutout. Luke Wilz is the team's top tackler with 17 total tackles, eight solo. Josh Johnson and Iyen Ogbomoh each have two sacks this season. As a team, Stout has six sacks with Aaron Wisecup and Jacob Nelson getting the others. Defensive back Levi Wolf leads the WIAC in interceptions with two, both coming against St. Thomas. Defensive back Tony Blair has the team's other interception.

RED ZONE DEFENSE: Stout is tops in the WIAC in red zone defense, allowing three touchdowns in seven opponent trips into the red zone. Stout has forced two red zone fumbles and picked off a pass when backed up.

COMPARING THIS YEAR TO LAST YEAR: In comparing the first two games of this year with the first two games of last season, the opponents (Simpson College/St. Thomas) were the same, but that is where the comparison ends. The Blue Devil defense last year gave up 391 yards per game over the first two games. This season, the Blue have allowed only 318 yards per contest, more than a 70 yard per game difference. Offensively, Stout rolled up 398 yards per game, but this year, 365 yards. But Stout has been more efficient with their yardage as it leads to scoring. Last year, Stout rolled up 62 points in the first two game, but gave up a whopping 87 points. This year, Stout has not scored as much as last year, tallying only 42 points, but have given up considerably fewer points, allowing only 22 points. Stout is outscoring their opponents this year, 21-11, on average.

GIVE IT A BOOT: The kicking game is one of the Blue Devils' strengths. Junior place kicker Drew Pearson earned national recognition last season. Pearson, who won the place kicking job early in the 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 is 1-for-2 this season, missing a 55-yard attempt into the wind at Simpson to open the season. He chipped in a 39-yard attempt.  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. Pearson is off to a slower start this year, hitting 2-of-4 field goals and 2-of-3 extra points. 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 averaging 36.7 yards per kick.  Riedel is the holder for Pearson and long snapper Clay Dziekien returns for his third season. Riedel is the place kicking holder. Taylor Pahl returns for his senior season and is a strong back-up to Pearson. Paul has booted nine field goals over his career and is 24-of-27 in extra points.

CLIMBING THE LADDER: Blue Devil kicker Drew Pearson is currently 19th on the UW-Stout all-time scoring list with 116 points. Wide receiver Kevion McDonald is currently 28th on the all-time receiving list with 890 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 seventh again this year, while the Pioneers are picked to finish third.
 

WHO'S WHO UW-PLATTEVILLE:  The Pioneers put together a complete performance in defeating two-time defending Northern Athletic Collegiate Conference champion Lakeland 56-22 Saturday night. After four possessions, the Pioneers held a 28-0 lead and a 241-18 advantage in yards, thanks in part to strong line performances on both sides of the ball. The Pioneers finished with 516 yards of offense, with 286 on the ground and 230 in the air. Tyler Blang, in his first collegiate start, threw four touchdown passes, with three going to Mark Johnson, who finished with nine receptions for 155 yards. Sean Studer rushed for 118 yards and two scores, and Wyatt Thompson gained 87 on the ground with a touchdown. Luke Johnson paced the defense with 8 tackles, and Chandler Crary and Colin Griffin each had sacks. Michael Pratl has made all 16 of his PAT attempts and 4 field goals, including the game-winner against George Fox. UW-Platteville beat the Bruins 30-28 and won at Hampden-Sydney 38-29 in its first two games. The Pioneers have gone 31-11 in conference games since the start of the 2011 season. UW-Platteville last season made the program's second postseason appearance in 2016. Junior running back Sean Studer had a team-best 664 rushing yards a year ago. The Pioneers have won at least seven games each of the last six seasons, including a program-best 10 in 2013. The Pioneers finished third in the WIAC last season and were picked to finish third again in a WIAC preseason poll.

The Pioneers have a pair of young quarterbacks and are giving both snaps during the non-conference portion of the season. Sophomore Tyler Blang is listed first on the depth chart and has completed 22-of-41 passes for 334 yards and five TDs. Freshman Cade Earl is the team's leading thrower, completing 53-of-78 passes for 551 yards and four TDs. But Earl did not play in the Pioneers' win over Lakeland and is not listed on the team's depth chart early in the week. Sean Studer and Wyatt Thompson have been getting the lions' share of rushes, with Studer tallying 214 yards on 51 carries (4.2 y/carry) with two scores and Thompson 191 yards on 35 totes (5.5 y/carry) with three TDs. Mark Johnson has hauled in the most passes for the Pioneers, pulling in 27 catches for 295 yards (10.y/rec) and four scores. Johnson is tops in the WIAC in receptions per game with nine. Tim Jansen has 19 catches for 279 yards (14.7 y/rec) and three TDs. Johnson was the WIAC offensive player of the week after making nine catches for 155 yards and three TDs against Lakeland. Collin Griffith is second in the league with three solo sacks. The Platteville defense has 11 sacks, second in the league. Platteville is averaging 41.3 points per game and giving up 26.3.

THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

Stout	WIAC Rank		WIAC Rank	Platteville
21.0	6	PPG	2	41.3
11.0	2	Opp. PPG	6	26.3
219.0	5	Pass Yds	3	295
146.0	5	Rush Yds	4	158.7
0 (6/6)	4	Turnover +/-	1	+2 (6/4)

LOTS OF RANKED OPPONENTS: The Blue Devils will play three teams that are ranked In the third D3football.com Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils hosted St. Thomas (No. 10), Saturday, Sept. 9, will be at UW-Platteville (No. 12) Saturday, Sept. 30, and host UW-Oshkosh (No.3) Saturday, Nov. 11 to close the season. Stout will be at UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Oct. 7, a perennial poll dweller. But the Warhawks dropped out of the poll after opening the season at 0-2 and are currently 1-2 overall. The Warhawks and the Titans play this weekend. UW-La Crosse is also receiving votes in the poll.

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: (from St. Thomas game) Offensive players of the week: Kevion McDonald, Jr, Hopkins, Minn.; Defensive player of the week: Levi Wolf, Jr, Elmwood, Wis.; Special teams player of the week: Isaiah Hardy, Sr, Olympia Field, Ill.; . Offensive scout player of the week: Cameron LeMay, Fr, Shoreview, Minn. (Mounds View); Defensive scout player of the week: Nathan Mrdutt, Fr, Glenwood City, Wis.; Offensive lineman of the week: Caleb Adams, Jr, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo)


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. The last time Stout received votes was during the 2010 season. Stout often received votes during the 2000s.

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...The Blue Devils play their first game of the season Saturday, Sept. 2 at  Simpson College, then are home for the next two non-conference games, facing nationally ranked St. Thomas, Saturday, Sept. 9, then take two Saturdays off before opening the WIAC season by traveling to UW-Platteville, Saturday, Sept. 30 with a 2 p.m. start.

CANCELLATION BUMMER: A couple of weeks before the beginning of the season, the Blue Devils found out that their final non-conference game of the season with Trinity Bible College was canceled. The Lions had fewer than 30 show up for preseason camp, only half as many as they had originally anticipated. The school, located in Ellendale, ND, has a total enrollment around 300 students. The team is still playing a limited schedule, but also cancelled a game with Waldorf College. This is the third football game in the past 25 years that has been canceled, but the first that was canceled just before the season began. In September, 1992, UW-Superior was forced to drop their program due to low numbers the week Stout and Superior were scheduled to tangle. A Sept. 15, 2001, game at Willamette University in Washington state was canceled following the terrorist attack in New York City, Sept. 11, 2011, after all flights were canceled.

THE COACHES:  UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (28-44) 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-Platteville:  Mike Emendorfer is UW-Platteville's all-time winningest coach, compiling a 93-92 record in his 19th season. He has taken the Pioneers to their only two NCAA III playoff berths in school history, in 2013 and 2016. Emendorfer is the WIAC's active leader in victories.

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-Platteville 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-Platteville finished third last season and are picked to finish third 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: 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. River Falls, Oct. 22, 2016
18 comp, 33 att, 247 yds, 2 TDs vs. Stevens Point, Nov. 5, 2016
16 comp, 33 att, 135 yds, 2 TDs, vs. Whitewater, Nov. 14, 2015
13 comp, 28 att, 161 yds, 2 TDs, vs 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. Eau Claire, Oct. 15, 2016
Keyshawn Carpenter - Rushing
17 carries, 77 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
12 carries, 59 yards vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 19, 2015
Rayshawn Graham - Rushing
5 carries, 52 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
17 carries, 50 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
Lucian Coutier - Rushing
4 carries, 41 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
Kevion McDonald - Receiving
7 receptions, 133 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 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, 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
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
2 receptions, 64 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
Dustin Rondorf - Receiving
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 - 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
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)
105 - Travis Urlaub vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015 (10 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
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
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)
* 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

WAR ON I-94: The War on I-94 Trophy between UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire started in 2008. Eau Claire won the first contest for the trophy at Don and Nona Williams Stadium, Nov. 15, 2008, the final game of the 2008 season. Each team has won four times.
2008 - Eau Claire 17, Stout 6
2009 - Stout 36, Eau Claire 15
2010 - Stout 37, Eau Claire 28
2011 - Eau Claire 24, Stout 10
2012 - Eau Claire 21, Stout 13
2013 - Stout 35, Eau Claire 27
2014 - Eau Claire 20, Stout 17
2015 - Stout 45, Eau Claire 12
2016 - Stout 30, Eau Claire 7

PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2017: The Blue Devils will welcome students back when they host Dorm Days, Saturday, Sept. 9 when St. Thomas comes to town for a 1:10 p.m. contest. The Blue Devils will host their annual Homecoming game Saturday, Oct. 14 at 2 p.m. vs. UW-River Falls. The Blue Devils will have Youth Day, Saturday, Oct. 21 when UW-Stevens Point comes to town for a 1 p.m. contest. Stout will hold a Military Appreciation Day, Saturday, Nov. 11 when they meet UW-Oshkosh at 2 p.m. The seniors will be recognized Saturday, Nov. 11.

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: 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. Tobacco is not permitted.

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 have their feet kept to the fire when they travel to UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Oct. 7, for a 2 p.m. contest. The Warhawks, consistent Top 25 poll dwellers, dropped out of the rankings when they lost their first two games of the season. But the Warhawks were picked to win the WIAC in a preseason poll. The Warhawks will have come off a game with UW-Oshkosh Sept. 30.