Football Preview: Stout hosts Eagles for homecoming

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THIS WEEK'S GAME: The Blue Devils (3-1, 1-0 WIAC) turn their attention to UW-La Crosse (2-2, 0-1 WIAC) for homecoming, Saturday, Oct. 6. The Blue Devils are coming off a 26-20 rivalry game win over UW-Eau Claire, while the Eagles lost, 30-7, to 10th-ranked UW-Whitewater.

The Blue Devils are coming off the 2017 season where they finished 5-4 overall, and woke up the Division III football world when they defeated fourth-ranked St. Thomas, 25-22, Sept. 9 at Don & Nona Williams Stadium. the win 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 a loss to UW-Platteville dropped Stout one spot to No. 23 and a loss to UW-Whitewater the following week 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. Following the loss to La Crosse, the Blue Devils were no longer receiving votes.

ON THE AIR: iHeartRadio's Newstalk WMEQ AM 880 and 106.3FM will provide broadcast coverage for the season with Pete Knutson and Jake Bostrom providing commentary during the games. Game streams are available on wmeq.com or through the iHeartRadio App. For home games, iHeartRadio's Newstalk WMEQ AM 880 and 106.3FM will provide the audio portion for Live Video streaming of all home football games. Live Stats will be available for all home games.

WEEKLY INTERVIEW: UW-Stout head coach Clayt Birmingham will speak with Pete Knutson of iHeartRadio's Newstalk radio on a weekly basis about the upcoming game and last week's game. | This Week's Interview | Weekly Interviews

LAST TIME OUT: UW-STOUT: The "War on 94" trophy will stay in Menomonie for another year after Levy Hamer scored twice and Rayshawn Graham bulled his way for 145 yards as UW-Stout defeated UW-Eau Claire, 26-20, Saturday at Don and Nona Williams Stadium. After out-scoring Eau Claire (2-2, 0-1 WIAC) by a combined 130-26 over the last three games, this game proved to be much more entertaining for fans in the stands. The Blugolds served notice that tonight's game was not going to be a runaway, getting on the board first, taking the opening kickoff and grinding out a 14-play, 7-minute, 53-second drive and took the early lead on an eight yard pass from Scott Procter to Austin Belot.  Stout tallied 426 yards of total offense, gaining 193 on the ground and 233 through the air, while holding Eau Claire to 255 total yards, 203 by rushing and only 52 through the air. Graham rushed for 145 yards on 24 carries, with much of the yardage coming after contact. For the 220-pound tailback, it was his second consecutive 100-yard game. Carpenter finished with 50 yards on the ground. Borgerding was 15-of-28 with two TDs and 233 yards. Hamer had nine catches for 177 yards, his best collegiate day, both in number of catches and in total receiving yards. With 59 return yards on four kickoff returns, Hamer finished with 236 all-purpose yards.  | UW-Eau Claire Story and Stats

LAST TIME OUT: UW-LA CROSSE: La Crosse football team fell 30-7 to UW-Whitewater Saturday night at Roger Harring Stadium at Veterans Memorial Field Sports Complex in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) opener for both teams.UWL totaled 158 yards of offense, including 46 rushing and 112 passing. The Eagles were held to 46 yards of offense in the second half.  Austin Mancosky led UWL with 31 yards rushing on 10 carries.  Schramski finished 12-of-30 for 104 yards with one interception.  He also rushed for a touchdown.  Devonte Amos led UWl with four catches (25 yards) while Cole Spieker had three receptions (team-high 37 yards).  UWL finished with 11 first downs and were two-of-14 on third-down. UW-Whitewater recorded 418 yards of offense, including 174 rushing and 244 passing. The Warhawks had 339 yards in the second half.  Peete had 100 yards rushing and two touchdowns on 27 carries.  Wilber finished 14-of-24 for 244 yards and three touchdowns.  Mitchell Dees had three catches while Parish had a team-high 95 yards receiving.  | UW-Whitewater Story and Stats

WHEN STOUT AND LA CROSSE LAST MET: UW-Stout had opportunities, but couldn't take advantage and the Blue Devils lost 21-7 to UW-La Crosse Nov. 4, 2017, at Veterans Memorial Stadium. Twice in the first quarter, Stout got inside the 30-yard line only to come up empty. Midway through the first period, Stout got to the La Crosse 27 but ran out of downs. On their next drive, Stout drove to the La Crosse 10, but were intercepted in the end zone. | Game Story and Stats

THE SERIES: The Eagles lead the series, 71-16-5. The Eagles have won the last six games.


A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS: Just like last year, the Blue Devils are starting to pick up some attention nationally and are receiving votes in the AFCA Coaches Division III Top 25 poll. Freshman Sean Borgerding has assumed the quarterback role and has been moving the team up and down the field.  Borgerding has connected for eight TD passes, putting him in a tie for the lead in the WIAC. His primary target has been fellow freshman Levy Hamer, who has five receiving TDs, tying for the conference lead. Hamer is averaging 113.2 yards per game in receiving yards for 453 total receiving yards, tops in the league by more than 30 yards per game. Hamer is averaging 18.1 yards per catch with his longest reception at 47 yards. Noel Gonzalez has 11 receptions for 129 yards and his first receiving TD. Two years ago, Gonzales returned a kickoff for a score. Freshman Parker Fossum has six catches and his TD was a one-handed grab against California Lutheran two weeks ago. But the Blue Devil offense is not a one-trick pony. Rayshawn Graham and Keyshawn Carpenter have been bowling over opponents on the ground. Graham, a second team all-WIAC pick last season, is currently fourth in the WIAC with 367 yards with an average of 5.7 yards per carry and three TDs. Graham is coming off back-to-back 100-plus yard games. Carpenter has carried the ball 42 times for 134 yards and two TDs. Borgerding has shown the capability to go off for big running gains, and is averaging 6.3 yards per carry. Defensively, the Blue Devils are allowing 317 yards per game and 176.2 yards passing and 140.8 running the ball. Jed Schlegel, the reigning WIAC defensive athlete of the week, leads the team in tackles with 46, 14 solo and has two interceptions, including one late against UW-Eau Claire that clinched the game. Levi Wolf has three pass break-ups and an interception. The Blue Devils have six interceptions with linebacker Haydon Miller nabbing two and Jason Dilly getting another. The Blue Devils have 10 total sacks, with Dylan Peterson leading the way with 3.5, Dilly with 3.0, Aaron Wisecup with 2.0 and Scott Gustafson with 1.5. | 2018 Statistics

DROPPING THE HAMER: Freshman receiver Levy Hamer has moved up on the national statistical lists and is currently 20th in the NCAA Division III in all-purpose yards, averaging 164.2 AP yards per contest. He is 30th nationally in receiving TDs with five, 21st in receiving yards per game (113.3), 26th in total receiving yards (453) and 60th in receptions per game (6.3).

UW-STOUT: On paper, it would look like UW-Stout would have a lot of holes to fill after graduating 24 seniors last year, one of the largest group of graduating seniors in head coach Clayt Birmingham's eight year tenure. And while the Blue Devils will need to replace a lot of players - including nine defensive starters, - Birmingham said his squad returns athletes who have seen considerable time in rugged Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play, but not as a listed starter. This year's senior class, along with a solid junior class, will need to step in while the team develops depth they will need for the schedule which opens Saturday, Sept. 1 with a trip to traditional football powerhouse St. John's University. "We have talent, just not a lot of veteran talent," Birmingham said. "By losing so many seniors (last season), we lost depth."  2017 Statistics

KICKING GAME: Drew Pearson (Sr, Wausau) returns at kicker for his final year. Following an All-American season as a sophomore, Pearson was still the team's leading scorer last season with seven field goals and 18 extra-points. While Pearson's numbers weren't as prolific as the year before, he proved to still have the leg, kicking a 53-yarder against UW-Stevens Point. Pearson appeared on the first Fred Mitchell Award watch list. The award recognizes place kickers within the FCS, NCAA Divisions II and III, the NAIA and NJCAA. Pearson was one of 10 finalists for the award during his sophomore year. Pearson is currently 3-for-8 in field goals and has made 12-of-13 extra points. 

MR. RELIABLE: Adding stability to the special teams is the return of long snapper Clay Dziekan (Sr, Mondovi) for his final season. Dziekan earned honorable mention all-conference honors last season.

CLIMBING THE LADDER: Blue Devil kicker Drew Pearson is currently sixth on the UW-Stout all-time scoring list with 168 points. Quarterback Jay Alston is currently 10th on the all-time passing list with 3496 yards.
 

PRESEASON POLLS: The Blue Devils finished fifth 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 fifth this year. UW-Oshkosh is picked to finish first, UW-Whitewater second, UW-Platteville third, UW-La Crosse fourth, UW-Stout fifth, UW-River Falls sixth, UW-Stevens Point seventh and UW-Eau Claire eighth. | WIAC Preseason Poll
 

WHO'S WHO: UW-LA CROSSE: The Eagles are 2-2 to start off the season but have played three nationally ranked opponents among their first four contests. La Crosse opened the season with two road wins, including a 34-31 win at then 21st-ranked Illinois Wesleyan, but have dropped both of their home contests, a 35-17 loss to NAIA 20th-ranked Dickinson State and a 30-7 loss to 10th-ranked UW-Whitewater last weekend. The Eagles outscored their first two opponents, 86-51, but were outscored 65-24 in their third and fourth games. The Eagles have been averaging 355.5 yards of total offense, 122.2 on the ground, 233.2 through the air. QB Ben Schramski is 59-of-113 for 727 yards, with six TDs and four interceptions. Evan Lewandowksi has played in three games at quarterback, going 10-of-17 for 178 yards and a TD. Cole Spieker has pulled in 17 passes for 314 yards and three TDs, averaging 78.5 yards per contest. Dominic Labellarte has 14 receptions for 227 yards and a team-best four receiving TDs. Spieker has four total TDs, and returned a blocked punt 43 yards for a score. Devonte Amos has 10 receptions and Austin Macosky has seven catches. Austin Mancosky is the team's leading rusher with 163 yards on 44 carries. Jalen Clark has 161 yards on 27 totes for a 6.0 per carry averaing. Schramski has called his number for three TDs and has 138 yards on the ground, and is fourth in the WIAC in total offense with 216.2 total yards per game. . Brody Gatz has carried the ball six times, and has scored twice. Defensively, the Eagles are giving up 460.0 total yards, 183.8 yards rushing, 276.2 passing. Elijiah McGeehan has 36 total tackles, 11 solo, and a pair of pass breakups. Ryan Flather leads the team in sacks with two. Rusty Murphy has a sack, as does Zak Baudry.   | 2018 Statistics

THE EAGLES LAST SEASON: UW-La Crosse's eight overall wins and five WIAC victories in 2017 were the most since the 2006 squad went 9-2 overall and 6-1 in conference action. The Eagles led the league in passing offense (302.4 yards per contest) and passing defense (164.6 yards per game) last season. Junior tight end Cole Spieker had 19 receptions for 255 yards and finished second on the team with four touchdown receptions. Sophomore linebacker Peter Kissling was fourth on the team with 44 tackles, while sophomore kicker Bryce Wesling converted 41-of-43 extra-point attempts with both marks ranking second in the WIAC. 

UW-La Crosse, Saturday, Oct. 6, 2 p.m. (Homecoming)
Head Coach: Mike Schmidt, 3rd (15-9)
2017 Record: 8-2 (5-2 WIAC, 3rd)
Series Record: La Crosse leads, 71-16-5
Last Meeting: La Crosse 21, Stout 7 (2017)
First Meeting: La Crosse 12, Stout 3 (1913)

2018 Schedule
Sept. 1 at Luther College (IA), W 52-21
Sept. 8 at Illinois Wesleyan, W 34-31
Sept. 15 Dickinson State (ND), L 35-17
Sept. 29 UW-Whitewater, L 30-7
Oct. 6 at UW-Stout, 1 pm
Oct. 13 UW-Stevens Point, 6 pm
Oct. 20 at UW-Oshkosh, 1:30 pm
Oct. 27 UW-Platteville, 1 pm
Nov. 3 UW-River Falls, 1 pm
Nov. 10 UW-Eau Claire, 11:30 am

2017 Results
Sept. 2 Luther College, W 27-7
Sept. 9 at Ripon College, W 45-14
Sept. 23 Carroll University, W 41-6
Sept. 30 at UW-Stevens Point, W 35-13
Oct. 7 UW-Eau Claire, W 45-14
Oct. 13 at UW-Whitewater, L 21-14
Oct. 21 UW-Oshkosh, L 42-28
Oct. 28 at UW-Platteville, W 27-20
Nov. 4 UW-Stout, W 21-7
Nov. 11 at UW-River Falls, W 56-7




THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

Stout	WIAC Rankings		WIAC Rankings	La Crosse
24.8	5	PPG	3	27.5
23.5	3	Opp. PPG	7	29.2
217.5	5	Pass Yds	4	233.2
166.8	4	Rush Yds	7	122.2
+2 (7/5)	2	Turnover /-	7	-2 (3/5)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Week Four: Offensive athlete of the week: Levy Hamer, Fr, Chicago, Ill (St. Laurence); Defensive athlete of the week: Jed Schlegel, Jr, Baldwin, Wis. (Spring Valley). Special team athlete of the week: Shawn Magee, Sr, Rice Lake, Wis. Offensive lineman of the week:  Alex Negoski, So, Evergreen Park, Ill (Brother Rice) Offensive scout athlete of the week:  Camron Lemay, So, Shoreview, Minn. (Mounds View) Scout team defensive player of the week: Holden Timm, Jr, Hudson, Wis.

TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2018 season include running back Keyshawn Carpenter (Sr, Evergreen Park, Ill), offensive lineman Caleb Adams (Sr, Rochester, Minn) and safety Levi Wolf (Sr, Elmwood).


LOTS OF RANKED OPPONENTS: The Blue Devils play three teams that are ranked In the D3football.com Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils faced St. John's University (9th), Sept. 1; UW-Whitewater (8th) Oct. 27; and UW-Oshkosh (10th) Nov. 10. UW-Platteville (Nov. 3) and UW-La Crosse (Oct. 6) were ranked in the top 25, but are now receiving votes. In the AFCA Coaches poll, Whitewater is ranked seventh, St. John's ninth, and Oshkosh 11th. Platteville, La Crose and Stout are receiving votes. 

NATIONAL RANKINGS: The Blue Devils were first mentioned in the AFCA Football Coaches Top 25 poll, Sept. 24 and again in the Oct. 1 poll...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. 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.

KICKOFF FAIR CATCH (AND OTHER RULE CHANGES): Beginning with the 2018 season, a kickoff returner can signal a fair catch inside the 25-yard line, technically resulting in a touchback. The ball will be brought out to the 25-yard line to start the ensuing drive. | 2018 NCAA Rule Changes

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (34-49) is in his ninth season in 2018 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: Mike Schmidt (15-9) is in his third season as UW-La Crosse head football coach in 2018.  Named the 13th head football coach in school history February 4, 2016, Schmidt is 13-7 overall and 7-7 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in his first two seasons at the helm of the Eagles.  He led UWL to an 8-2 overall and 5-2 conference record in 2017.  The Eagles' eight overall and five league wins were the most since finishing 9-2 overall and 6-1 in the WIAC in 2006.  UWL placed third in the 2017 conference standings, its highest finish since second in 2006.  Named the 2017 La Crosse Tribune Sportsperson of the Year, Schmidt led the Eagles to be ranked in the final two national polls of the 2017 season, finishing 24th on D3football.com and 25th in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA). Schmidt is a Menomonie native.

COACHING STAFF: Head coach Clayt Birmingham works with the defensive backs.Travis Destache returns as the defensive coordinator and also works with the linebackers. Destache was named the WIAC assistant coach of the year by the WFCA in 2017. Destache is in his 12th season with the Blue Devils. Chase Vogel returns for his fifth year and is the offensive coordinator, working with the quarterbacks and the passing game. Derek Branch is in his fifth season with the Blue Devils. An all-conference offensive lineman with the Blue Devils during his playing years, Branch will work with the offensive line. Jed Stutzman is in his fifth year with the Blue Devils and will again work with the running backs. Jeff Sullivan was an assistant coach with the Blue Devils from 2003-05, returning in 2016 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. Sullivan works with the defensive line. Jake Schiff begins his third year with the Blue Devil coaching staff. Schiff played defensive back for the Blue Devils and was a student assistant coach in 2014 and 2015. Schiff works with the defensive line. Wade Smethers begins his first year as a Blue Devil assistant coach and works with the wide receivers. Jake Shaw and Thor Daley are in their first years as Blue Devil assistant coaches. Shaw works with the linebackers and Daley with the offensive linemen. After an all-conference and all-region career as a Blue Devil punter, Clark Riedel enters his first year as an assistant coach and will work with the special teams.

THE LEAGUES: UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire are members of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). Stout finished fifth in league play last season and the Blue Devils were picked to finish fifth in a WIAC preseason poll released in mid-August. The Blugolds were picked to finish eighth.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Senior Caleb Adams has been nominated as a National Football Foundation (NFF) scholar-athlete for 2018 and has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Campbell Trophy.

SEASON HONORS: 2018: Jed Schlegel was selected to the D3football.com Team of the Week and as the WIAC defensive player of the week after Stout's 26-20 win over UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, recording 10 tackles and an interception.  Levy Hamer was selected as the UW-Stout/Toppers athlete of the week after the Eau Claire win after scoring two TDs and pulling in 177 yards in nine catches... Running back Rayshawn Graham was selected WIAC offensive athlete of the week after gaining 172 yards against California Lutheran, Sept. 22. Graham was also the UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week...Linebacker Haydon Miller was selected WIAC defensive athlete of the week after making eight tackles and getting an interception against California Lutheran, Sept. 22...Defensive lineman Scott Gustafson was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week after he blocked an extra point attempt that gave the Blue Devils a 24-23 overtime win over Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 8...Place kicker Drew Pearson has been named to the Fred Mitchell Award watch list...Caleb Adams has been nominated as an NFF scholar-athlete for 2018.

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
Sean Borgerding - Passing
15 comp, 28 att, 233 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
10 comp, 13 att, 273 yards, 4 TDs vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
8 comp, 16 att, 108 yards vs. St. John's University, Sept. 1, 2018
5 comp, 18 att, 61 yards, 2 TDs vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 8, 2018
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
20 carries, 83 yards, 1 TD vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 8, 2018
17 carries, 77 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
12 carries, 59 yards vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 19, 2015
Rayshawn Graham - Rushing
20 carries, 172 yards, 2 TDs vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
24 carries, 145 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
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
Levy Hamer - Receiving
9 receptions, 177 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
4 receptions, 143 yards, 2 TDs, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
7 receptions, 80 yards vs. St. John's University, Sept. 1, 2018
5 receptions, 53 yards vs. Gustavus Adolphus College, Sept. 8, 2018
Noel Gonzalez - Receiving
4 receptions, 33 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
2 receptions, 39 yards, 1 TD, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
4 receptions, 44 yards, Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 8, 2018
Dustin Rondorf - Receiving
2 receptions, 24, yards vs. UW-Platteville, Sept. 30, 2017
2 receptions, 21 yards vs. Simpson College, Sept. 2, 2017
Noel Gonzalez - Receiving
4 receptions, 33 yards vs UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
2 receptions, 39 yards, TD, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
3 receptions, 44 yards vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 8, 2018


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), vs. UW-Stevens Point, 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
145 - Rayshawn Graham vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018 (24 carries)
172 - Rayshawn Graham vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018 (20 carries)
100 - Rayshawn Graham vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 14, 2017 (19 carries)
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
177 - Levy Hamer vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018 (9 rec, 2 TDs)
155 - Akema 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 (or more) interceptions in a single game
2- Levi Wolf vs. UW-La Crosse, Nov. 4, 2017
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 a fumble for a score
Michael Pierson, 15 yards vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 28, 2017
* school record

THE LAST TIME A STOUT TEAM...
Played an overtime game
Sept. 8, 2018 - at Gustavus Adolphus, W 24-23 (OT)
Sept. 3, 2010 - at Black Hills State, L 14-13 (OT)
Oct. 3, 2009 - vs. UW-River Falls, W 13-12 (OT)
Sept. 6, 2008 - at Menlo College, W 13-10 (OT)
Sept. 18, 1999 - at St. Ambrose, L 34-28 (OT)
Nov. 17, 1996 - vs. Winona State, W 50-43 (OT) at Metrodome

Recorded 450-plus total yards of offense
476 - vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
547 - vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
521 - vs. Simpson College, Sept. 3, 2016
507 - vs. UW-Stevens Point, Nov. 7, 2015
499 - vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
469 - at UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015
534 - at Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015

Recorded 350-plus yards of passing
357 - vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
418 - at Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015

Recorded 250-plus yards of rushing
263 - vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
289 - vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 15, 2016


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 was no mention in the UW-Stout, the WIAC or the NCAA record books for returning blocked field goal attempts. There is now 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. Louisiana 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. Stout holds a 6-4 lead in the contest. The teams played for the Little Brown Jug for two brief stints, once during the 1930s and again in the 1950s. Eau Claire will host the 2019 game the final date of the season.
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
2017 - Stout 55, Eau Claire 7
2018 - Stout 26, Eau Claire 20

PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2018: The Blue Devils will host Community Day, Sept. 22; Youth Day, Sept. 29; Homecoming, Oct. 6; Military Appreciation Day, Oct. 27; and Senior Day, Nov. 3.

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: UW-Stout's Don and Nona Williams Stadium got a facelift this summer with the installation of an updated surface. FieldTurf will installed the FieldTurf Revolution 360. FieldTurf promotes this surface as having "optimal durability, resilience, and feel." A padding/drainage mat will be added, as well as flushing the current drainage system to make sure the field sheds water as designed. The field's layout will be similar to the previous markings and will again include markings for high school hash marks. The S logo at midfield will be replaced by the new Blaze head logo. The stadium, which was opened during the 2001 season, last had the stadium turf replaced during the summer of 2008 when the original Astroturf-type surface was replaced with ProGrass, a surface that more closely resembled natural grass. Don & Nona Williams Stadium was only the second artificial playing surface in the state of Wisconsin when it opened in 2001. At the time, the Wisconsin Badgers were the only Wisconsin college team that played their games on artificial turf. The Green Bay Packers had an artificial surface in their practice facility. Now, every WIAC school has an artificial surface, and many high schools in the state have followed suit.

UP NEXT: The Blue Devils take to the road for the first time in three weeks when they travel to UW-River Falls, Saturday, Oct. 13 for a 1 p.m. contest.