Football Preview: Blue Devils open at home Saturday

 UW-Stout Depth Chart | California Lutheran Depth Chart 

THIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (1-1, 0-0 WIAC) will face off against California Lutheran University (1-1,0-0 SCIAC) on Saturday, Sept. 22 at 1 p.m for the Blue Devils home opener. This will be the first meeting between the two teams. The Blue Devils are coming off a bye week that gave them the opportunity to savor a come-from-behind 24-23 overtime win over Gustavus Adolphus College, Sept. 8. The Kingsmen dropped their first game of the season, a 21-16 loss at the University of Pacific, Sept. 15. California Lutheran opened the season with a 24-8 win over Pacific Lutheran, Sept. 1.

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 are 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.

LAST TIME OUT: UW-STOUT: The Blue Devils are coming off a bye week where they were able savor a come-from-behind overtime win over Gustavus Adolphus College, Sept. 8 in St. Peter, Minn. The Blue Devils trailed 17-0 midway into the third period when a Drew Pearson field goal put Stout on the board...and the momentum started to shift. Stout rallied with two more scores, including a 4-yard pass from Sean Borgerding to Levy Hamer with eight seconds remaining in regulation. Earlier in the fourth period, Borgerding connected with Tyler Seymour for a 15-yard score, and Pearson was true on both kicks. For Borgerding and Seymour, it was their first collegiate scores. Stout won the draw in overtime and the Blue Devils needed five plays to complete the 25-yard drive, with senior KeyShawn Carpenter bulling in from one yard out and Pearson connected for his third extra-point as Stout led for the first time in the game, 24-17. The Gusties needed only one play to pull to within a point when Michael Veldman hit Ellis Hirman in the end zone. The Gusties lined up for the extra point, and the snap was high, Aaron Wisecup got a strong push into offensive line, clearing the way for Scott Gustafson and Jason Dilly. Gustafson got his facemask in front of the ball, then went after the ball in the scrum as Stout pulled off the improbable 24-23 win. Stout finished with 351 total yards, 182 rushing, 169 through the air with Borgerding completing five passes for 61 yards with two TDs and starting QB Jay Alston completing nine passes for 108 yards. Hamer hauled in five passes for 51 yards, with four receptions coming after the third quarter. Carpenter carried the ball a career-best 20 times for 83 yards.

LAST TIME OUT: CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN: A late rally came up just short as the Cal Lutheran offense had a turnover-on-downs with 1:50 left in the game and the Pacific (Ore.) Boxers ran out the clock to escape with a 21-16 win Saturday afternoon in Hanson Stadium. Cal Lutheran met Pacific (1-2) in Ore., for the first-ever matchup between the teams. The Kingsmen outgained the Boxers in passing (185 to 106), rushing (103 to 70) and total yards 288 to 176), but early turnovers had CLU in a quick hole. The Boxers forced the Kingsmen into two fumbles on their first two possessions of the game. The Pacific offense took advantage of Cal Lutheran's first turnover and took an early 7-0 lead. The Boxers added a second touchdown late in the first quarter on a punt return and had a 14-0 lead.  The Kingsmen got on the board as Jabar Byrd scored from one-yard out. The score cut the deficit in half as Pacific led 14-7 with 9:21 to go in the half. Pacific took a 21-7 lead late in the third period on a 14-play drive, capped off by a 3-yard pass play. Cal Lutheran forced a safety early in the fourth quarter, then stopped Pacific with about four minutes remaining. A 21-yard punt return by Cameron James gave the Kingsmen good field position. A 35-yard yard pass to Ty Riley and a pass interference call on Pacific put the ball at the eight yard line ans Smith connected with Ureal Blackshear pulled Cal Lutheran into what would be the final score of the game.

WHEN STOUT AND CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN LAST MET: The teams have not met. 

THE SERIES: The series is 0-0. This will be the first California school Stout has played since the team played Menlo College to kick off the 2008 season in California with a 13-10 overtime win. The Blue Devils hosted Menlo to lead off the 2007 season, also a Stout win at Williams Stadium, 24-19. Menlo is the only other California school the Stout football program has faced.

A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS: The Blue Devils started off the season with six scoreless periods, but turned that around starting in the third quarter at Gustavus Adolphus and Stout scored 24 points in a little more than a quarter. Stout has gotten receiving TDs from Tyler Seymour and Levy Hamer and KeyShawn Carpenter bulled in for a ground score. Senior Jay Alston has gotten the starts at QB for the Blue Devils, with freshman Sean Borgerding seeing quality time. Alston has completed 18-of-30 passes for 184 yards, averaging 92 yards per game. Borgerding has completed 13-of-34 passes for 169 yards with two scores. Borgerding has one interception, Alston two. Carpenter, a senior, and Rayshawn Graham, a junior, have been sharing carries. Carpenter has 60 yards in 23 carries and Graham 50 yards in 20 carries. The two quarterbacks have spread their passes out to 11 different receivers. Hamer has pulled in a team-best 12 catches for 133 yards and is averaging 11.1 ards per catch. Senior Noel Gonzales has five catches, averaging 11.4 yards per catch. Defensive back Jed Schlegel leads the team in tackles with 27, seven solo. Schlegel was opportunistic last season and this year has one of the Blue Devils' three interceptions. Newcomer linebacker Haydon Miller has an interception, as does defensive back Levi Wolf, who last season led the WIAC in interceptions with five. 


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." 

CLIMBING THE LADDER: Blue Devil kicker Drew Pearson is currently 10th on the UW-Stout all-time scoring list with 153 points. Quarterback Jay Alston is currently 10th on the all-time passing list with 3485 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.
 

WHO'S WHO: CALIFORNIA LUTHERAN UNIVERSITY: After two games, the Kingsmen are averaging 280.0 total yards of offense, 169.5 on the ground, 110.5 through the air. Cal Lutheran has utilized both senior quarterbacks and it appears as if Hayden Smith will get the starting nod this week. The Colorado natives 8-of-18 for 102 yards and a TD, and has not been picked off this season. Eli Peters has completed 12-of-21 passes for 119 yards, but has a pair of interceptions. Pierce McLurkin has pulled down seven passes and is averaging 12.0 yards per catch. Ty Riley has six receptions and is averaging 15.2 yards. Ureal Blackshear has one grab, but that was an 8-yard TD reception. Chris Anderson has 104 yards on the ground, averaging 4.3 yards per carry. Jabar Byrd has found the end zone twice this year and is averaging 4.1 yards in 19 attempts. Defensively, the Kingsmen are allowing 242.5 yards per game, 181.5 through the air and 61.0 on the ground. Ethan Pulley has 15 tackles, 12 solo, and returned one interception 65 yards for a score. JW Windsor has 2.5 sacks and Emmanuel Amaugo has 2.0 sacks. 

The Kingsmen finished out the 2017 regular season with an overall record of 5-3 and 3-3 in conference play. The Cal Lutheran football team was on the doorstep of a Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC) Championship in 2017 and are looking to take it to the next step in 2018 and claim the title. During the 2017 season, the Kingsmen were held to less than 20 points only once on their way to a 5-3 overall record, and that was in the final game of the season when they lost 21-17 to the University of Redlands. California Lutheran outscored their opponents, 35.3-28.0.

California Lutheran University, Saturday, Sept. 22, 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Ben McEnroe, 12th (66-38)
2017 Record: 5-3, (3-3 SCIAC)
Series Record: First meeting, 0-0

2018 Schedule
Sept. 8 Pacific Lutheran, W 24-8
Sept. 15 at U of Pacific, L 21-16
Sept. 22 at UW-Stout, 1 p.m.
Sept. 29 Occidental, 7 pm
Oct. 6 at Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, 1 pm
Oct. 13 Pomona-Pitzer, 7 pm
Oct. 20 Chapman, 7 pm
Oct. 27 at Redlands, 7 pm
Nov. 3 La Verne, 1 pm
Nov. 10 at Whittier, 1 pm
2017 Results
Sept. 9 Pacific Lutheran, W 27-21
Sept. 16 at Willamette, W 28-13
Sept. 30 at La Verne, L 28-27
Oct. 7 at Pomona-Pitzer, W 43-41
Oct. 14 Claremont-Mudd-Scripps, W 42-20
Oct. 21 Whittier, W 60-34
Oct. 28 at Chapman, L 46-38
Nov. 4 at Occidental, cancelled
No. 11 Redlands, L 21-17



THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

Stout	WIAC 2017 Rank		SCIAC 2017 Rank	Cal Lutheran
21.9	5	PPG	2	35.3
16.4	4	Opp. PPG	3	28.0
213.8	4	Pass Yds	3	303.8
121.2	8	Rush Yds	3	150.0
-9 (13/22)	8	Turnover /-	3	-2 (12/15)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Week Two: Offensive athlete of the week: Levy Hamer, Fr, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence); Defensive athlete of the week: Haydon Miller, So, Zimmerman, Minn. Special team athlete of the week: Scott Gustafson, Fr, Victoria, Minn. (Chanhassen) Offensive lineman of the week: Caleb Adams, Sr, Rochester, Minn. (Mayo) Offensive scout athlete of the week: : Jack Rashid, So, Duluth, Minn. (East) Scout team defensive player of the week: Matthew Kostka, Fr, Holcomb, Wis. (Lake Holcomb)
Week One: 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: Jason Dilly, Sr, Andover, Minn.; Offensive lineman of the week: Bailey Roux, So, Rice Lake, Wis.; Offensive scout athlete of the week: Rylan Moser, Fr, North Mankato, Minn. (Mankato West); Defensive scout athlete of the week: Ryan Miller, So, Somerset, 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 four teams - three in consecutive weeks - that are ranked In the D3football.com Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils faced St. John's University (9th), Sept. 1; UW-La Crosse (23rd) Oct. 6; UW-Whitewater (10th) Oct. 27; and UW-Oshkosh (12th) Nov. 10. UW-Platteville was ranked in the top 25, but is now receiving votes, Nov. 3.

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. 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. 

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (32-49) will begin 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. California Lutheran: Ben McEnroe (66-38) enters his 12th season as the head football coach of Cal Lutheran in 2018. During that time, McEnroe has led the Kingsmen to unprecedented success at the NCAA Division III level. After winning a SCIAC championship in 2007, McEnroe's 2009-12 Kingsmen squad's won four SCIAC championships, with an unprecedented record of 35-2 in SCIAC regular season games, and won 27 conference games in a row. Those teams made four NCAA Division III playoff appearances, including when the Kingsmen hosted North Central (Ill.) on Nov. 17, 2012 in the first on-campus NCAA championship event at William Rolland Stadium. The Kingsmen appeared in the d3football.com Top 25 poll for 41 consecutive weeks between 2009-2013. Since 2007, numerous CLU student-athletes have been selected as All-Americans and All-SCIAC selections. McEnroe has been a part of the Cal Lutheran coaching staff for every SCIAC championship in program history. He was an assistant coach for the 1997 championship team, recruiting and coaching an Offensive Line which featured three All-SCIAC selections. McEnroe brings 25 years of coaching experience, including stints as the Offensive Line coach at his Alma mater CLU from 1993-98 and at Division II Humboldt State from 1999-2002

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 is a member 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. California Lutheran is a member of the Southern California Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (SCIAC). The Kingsmen are slated to finish third in the league, according to a preseason poll conducted by league head coaches.

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: 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
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
J.Dan Sturgeon - Passing
13 comp, 27 att, 248 yds, 3 TDs vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
4 comp, 13 att, 107 yds, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Nov. 4, 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
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
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
7 receptions, 80 yards vs. St. John's University, Sept. 1, 2018
5 receptions, 53 yards vs. Gustavus Adolphus College, 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
3 receptions, 44 yards vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 8, 2018
Kevion McDonald - Rushing
4 carries, 83 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 21, 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
3 receptions, 93 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Nov. 4, 2017
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


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
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
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

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. Stout is scheduled to host the 2018 contest on Saturday, Sept. 29 at 6 p.m.
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 - Eau Claire at Stout, Sept. 29

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.

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 turn their attention to the conference schedule when they open up by hosting a rivalry game with nearby UW-Eau Claire, Saturday, Sept. 29 at  6 p.m. at Williams Stadium in the annual War on I-94.