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MENOMONIE (August 29, 2018) - Last year's strength has become this year's question mark for the UW-Stout football team.
The Blue Devils' defense was among the best in the WIAC last fall, ranking first in opponent's yards per game and second in rushing defense. This year, only two starters return from that outstanding defense.
The good news? Most of the offense is back, and ready to hit the ground running. UW-Stout returns seven starters on offense, including its quarterback, running back, and most of its offensive line.
"We had a scrimmage last Saturday, and the offense looked quick already," Blue Devils coach
Clayt Birmingham said. "(The offense is) good, we face them every day in practice and they've got a good scheme going."
Among the standouts hitting the gridiron for the Blue Devils on that side of the ball: First team All-WIAC lineman
Caleb Adams and second team All-WIAC running back
Rayshawn Graham. Senior quarterback
Jay Alston, who is 10th on the UW-Stout all-time passing yards list with a career total of 3,301, will bring a veteran presence under center.
The Blue Devils finished 5-4 last season, and had reached the five-win mark before the end of October. The defense was a huge part of that, holding opponents to an average of 18 points per game. Most of the top performers from that unit have graduated, like first team All-WIAC linebacker
Josh Johnson and fellow first teamer
Isaiah Hardy, a defensive lineman.
Defensive back
Levi Wolf will be a key player to build around at his position. He had five interceptions last season and made fifty tackles, culminating in second team All-WIAC recognition.
Most of this year's defense will be composed of players getting their first crack at a starting role though, and will be a fairly young unit.
"We haven't seen them in live scenarios as much, but we've seen them last year as backups — and some of them saw some playing time — so we'll see what they can do when live balls start flying. But I think they'll do fine," Birmingham said. "We're going to be young, but the future looks good on defense."
Having an experienced offense could help offset the uncertainty around a new-look defense. Birmingham also pointed to his wide receiver group as a bunch that could open some eyes this year. The Blue Devils' top three wideouts from a year ago are all gone, leaving plenty of opportunities for this year's receiving corps to shine.
"They're going to have to mature quickly, and I think they have in camp already," Birmingham said of the wide receivers.
Not to be lost in the shuffle is the return of kicker
Drew Pearson, who was 7 of 13 on field goal attempts last season and was the special teams co-player of the year in the WIAC. He was an All-American pick by D3Football.com in 2016.
UW-Stout opens the season with a tough test: a trip into the heart of Minnesota to take on perennial MIAC powerhouse St. John's. The Johnnies have made the national playoffs in four straight years, and went 9-2 last season. They're ranked No. 11 in D3Football.com's preseason top 25 this year.
It figures to be the Blue Devils' most difficult matchup in nonconference play, and taking on a program of St. John's status...
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