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College Football 150th Anniversary
THIS WEEK'S GAME: The Blue Devils (1-4, 0-2 WIAC) will be at
UW-Platteville (4-1, 1-1 WIAC), Saturday, Oct. 19 at 2 p.m. Both teams dropped conference games last weekend, Stout a 40-22 loss to UW-La Crosse and Platteville a 21-14 decision to UW-Whitewater. The Pioneers are ranked 18th in the D3football.com Top 25 poll and 20th in the AFCA Coaches poll.
ON THE AIR: iHeartRadio's Newstalk WMEQ AM 880 and 106.3FM will provide broadcast coverage for the season with Pete Knutson and Chad Zutter 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.
BLUE DEVILS LIVE: Join the Blue Devils every second Thursday of the month at 6 p.m. at the Stout Ale House for Blue Devil Live, a live radio show with host Pete Knutson, the voice of the Blue Devils. Throughout the show, Knutson will talk to Blue Devil coaches and student-athletes about what is coming up and what happened last week.
| 2019 Blue Devil Schedule |
2018 Blue Devil Results |
| Sept. 7 vs. St. John's University, L 14-7 |
Sept. 1 at St. John's University, L 27-0 |
| Sept. 14 vs. Gustavus Adolphus, L 41-31 |
Sept. 8 at Gustavus Adolphus, W 24-23 (OT) |
| Sept. 28 at California Lutheran College, W 29-21 |
Sept. 22 vs. California Lutheran, W 49-24 |
| Oct. 5 vs. UW-Oshkosh, L 26-23 |
Sept. 29 vs. UW-Eau Claire, W 26-20 |
| Oct. 12 at UW-La Crosse, L 40-22 |
Oct. 6 vs. UW-La Crosse, L 29-23 (OT) |
| Oct. 19 at UW-Platteville, 2 p.m. |
Oct. 13 at UW-River Falls, L 21-19 |
| Oct. 26 vs. UW-Stevens Point, 1 p.m. |
Oct. 20 at UW-Stevens Point, W 31-27 |
| Nov. 2 vs. UW-River Falls, 1 p.m. |
Oct. 27 vs. UW-Whitewater, L 40-10 |
| Nov. 9 at UW-Whitewater, 2 p.m. |
Nov. 3 vs. UW-Platteville, 38-33 |
| Nov. 16 at UW-Eau Claire 1 p.m. |
Nov. 10 at UW-Oshkosh, L 27-13 |
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: UW-La Crosse jumped out to 27-0 lead before UW-Stout got on the board with five minutes left in the third period, but the Eagles went on to a 40-22 win Saturday at Veterans Memorial Stadium. The Blue Devils turned the ball over four times and were sacked eight times.
Levy Hamer had a career day, pulling in a career-best 10 passes for a career-best 189 yards and a TD. The Eagles piled up 472 yards of total offensive, 360 passing, 112 on the ground, while Stout (1-4, 0-2 WIAC) tallied 374 total yards, 381 passing yards and minus-7 yards rushing. Stout's
Sean Borgerding was 27 of 53 for 381 yards, two TDs and two interceptions. McDonald had eight catches for 75 yards and
Tyler Seymour had four receptions for 71 yards. |
Game Story and Stats
LAST TIME OUT: UW-PLATTEVILLE: In a battle of nationally ranked teams, third ranked UW-Whitewater defeated 19th ranked UW-Platteville, 21-14, in Whitewater Oct. 12. The two nationally ranked teams entered the fourth quarter tied at 14 apiece, but the Warhawks' 10-yard run and touchdown in the 11th minute proved to be the game winning touchdown. The gusty game, which saw a steady 20 mph wind throughout, featured the two undefeated teams in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC). The Pioneers (4-1 overall, 1-1 WIAC) held the Warhawks (5-0 overall, 2-0 WIAC) to a seven-point margin which is the narrowest gap any team has achieved in the 2019 season against UW-Whitewater Overall, UW-Platteville tallied 237 yards total offense, with 218 yards passing while the quick Warhawk defense held the Pioneers to just 19 yards rushing. UW-Whitewater combined 137 yards in the air with a staggering 376 yards rushing for 513 yards total offense. | Game Story and Statistics
WHEN STOUT AND UW-PLATTEVILLE LAST MET: Trailing, 33-32, UW-Stout drove 76 yards on 14 plays in 5-minutes, 15-seconds and scored what proved to be the game-winning TD with four seconds when senior captain
Keyshawn Carpenter bowled in from the 2-yard line with four seconds remaining to give the Blue Devils a 38-33 decision over UW-Platteville on Senior Day Nov. 3, 2018 at Williams Stadium. The Pioneers called a fair catch on the ensuing kickoff to stop the clock, and had the ball on their own 25 with four seconds remaining. Stout's
Dylan Peterson and
Zach Donahue sacked Platteville quarterback Brett Geisz to end the game. |
Game Story and Stats
THE SERIES: The Pioneers hold a 37-24-1 lead in the series that began in 1935
A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS: It has been an up-and-down season for the Blue Devils. Stout opened the season with a strong defensive effort in a 14-7 loss to third ranked St. John's, but had a difficult time the following week in a 41-31 loss to unranked Gustavus Adolphus. After traveling a couple of thousand miles to California Lutheran last week, Stout jumped out to a 19-0 halftime lead, but then had to hold off the Kingsmen to record their first win of the season. A strong rushing game against Cal Lutheran boosted running back number. The following week, the Blue Devils came back to the game against UW-Oshkosh at 23 each, only to fall 26-23 to the Titans. The Blue Devils produced another comeback of sorts against UW-La Crosse, trailing by as much as 27-0 in the third quarter, Stout tacked on 22 points to finish the game, scoring three touchdowns with two 2-point conversions over the final 20 minutes of the game. The Blue Devils are averaging 324.4 yards of offense, 95.6 yards rushing, 228.8 passing. |
2019 Statistics
THE RUNNING GAME: Sophomore
Josh Nitek and
Nick Arguedas have been leading the Blue Devils' rushing game. Nitek has carried the ball 45times for 165 yards, averaging 3.7 yards per carry. Arguedas has logged 32 totes for 134 yards for 4.2 yards per carry. Senior
Auqueith Bradshaw saw his first carries for the Blue Devils in California and currently has 20 carries for 88 yards, averaging a team-best 4.4 yards per carry.
THE PASSING GAME: Sean Borgerding has completed 81 of 168 passes, and is coming off a career-best 381 yard game versus UW-La Crosse. Borgerding has thrown eight TD passes and has run for two. Forced into comeback games, Borgerding has thrown nine interceptions. He had his first interception free game against the Titans in the rain and has completed 54 of 115 passes for 763 yards and six TDs. Borgerding had seven interceptions in the first three games.
Levy Hamer, last year's leading receiver, has caught 17 passes for 504 yards and three scores. Hamer averages 100.8 receiving yards per game, tops in the league and 40th in the NCAA Division III and is fourth in receptions at 5.80.
Kevion McDonald has pulled down 19 catches for 230 yards and two scores.
Tyler Seymour. McDonald has tallied 155 yards and Seymour 120. Seymour has 13 catches for 191 yards and two TDs. Coming out of the backfield,
Josh Nitek has eight catches for 36 yards.
DEFENSE; Safety
Jed Schlegel and linebacker
Luke Wilz are among the top five in the WIAC in tackles and
Brandon Vecchio is among the top 10. Schlegel leads Stout with 46 tackles, 28 solo. Wilz is fifth in the WIAC and has 45 tackles, with 19 solo tackles and three tackles for loss. Schlegel and Wilz each have an interception. Vecchio, who missed part of one game, has tallied 37 tackles, 17 solo, and is ranked 10th in the league. both chalking up 37 total tackles each.
Mason Olson leads the team in tackles for loss with 3.5 among his 15 tackles. Schlegel has 22 solo, with an interception, while Wilz has 14 solo and an interception. Linebacker
Brandon Vecchio has 31 tackles, 14 solo. Defensive back
Kierre Rhodes has 29 tackles, 21 solo. Defensive lineman
Scott Gustafson has the longest stat line with 10 tackles, 3.0 tackles for loss, 2.0 sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble forced, one recovered fumble and one blocked kick. The Blue Devils are giving up 379.4 yards, 99.0 rushing, 280.4 passing.
BENZINGER BOOTING WELL: UW-Stout kicker/punter
Alec Benzinger was selected as the WIAC Kwik Trip Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week. Benzinger was 3-for-3 in field goals, 2-for-2 in extra points and averaged 41.3 yards per punt over six kicks against UW-Oshkosh on Oct. 5. He booted field goals of 28-, 35- and 32-yards. Benzinger had one punt inside the 20 and one touchback on punts of 37-, 37-, 55-, 36-, 40- and 43-yards. For the season, Benzinger has made 5 of 8 field goals and 9 of 10 extra point attempts. The junior currently leads the team in scoring with 24 points, third among kickers in the WIAC. Benzinger's five field goals is tops among the seven conference teams. Benzinger leads the WIAC in punting average, averaging 38.5 yards over 24 kicks. For the season, Benzinger has pinned three punts inside the 20-yard line and has three punts of 50-plus yards, including a season-long of 56 yards. Benzinger was recently nominated to be placed on the Fred Mitchell Award watch list for the month of September. The annual Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place-Kicker Award is provided to the nation's top collegiate place-kicker among more than 750 FCS, Division II, III, NAIA and NJCAA football teams. The award recognizes both performance on the field and community service.
SPECIAL TEAMS: Kevion McDonald has returned kickoffs for 175 yards, with a long of 35.
Levy Hamer has returned three kickoffs for 85 yards with a long of 52 yards. Hamer has returned seven punts for 35 yards (5.0 y/return).
CAREER DAYS: Quarterback
Sean Borgerding and wide receiver
Levy Hamer had career days in the loss to UW-La Crosse. Borgerding completed 27 passes for 381 yards and had 53 pass attempts, all personal bests for the sophomore. Hamer pulled in a career-high 10 passes for 189 yards, also a career best.
IN THE BOOKS: Spencer Marlier hauled in his first collegiate catch, a 22-yard pass from
Sean Borgerding against UW-La Crosse.
A BLUE DEVIL SEASON PREVIEW: The Blue Devils enter the 2019 season with eight returners on each side of the ball. Quarterback Borgerding worked his way as the Blue Devils' signal caller for the final seven games of the season and finished the year going 149-of-279 for 2086 yards and 14 touchdowns against nine interceptions. On the end of many of his passes were fellow freshmen. The Blue Devils entered the 2018 season with only one receiver on the roster who had caught a varsity pass, but the freshman class responded. Receivers
Levy Hamer,
Tyler Seymour and
Parker Fossum return. Hamer, Seymour and Borgerding all earned all-conference honors last season. Hamer caught 73 passes last season for 997 yards and seven touchdowns. Hamer caught more passes than any Blue Devil in a single season since Scott Frederickson hauled in a school record 83 in 1989. Hamer led the conference in receiving yards per game at 99.7. Seymour averaged 20.2 yards per catch, hauling 22 passes for 445 yards and four TDs. Fossum had 32 receptions for 385 yards and two scores. After a year off,
Kevion McDonald returns for his senior year. McDonald earned all-conference honors as a junior, both as a receiver and as an all-purpose player. In 2017, McDonald hauled in 36 receptions for 587 yards and five TDs. He also ran for a TD on a 71-yard scamper. The Blue Devils return four-of-five starting offensive linemen, but will need to find replacements at running back and tight. Defensively, Stout returns experience across their defense as well, returning eight starters, including all-conference picks linebacker and co-captain
Luke Wilz, defensive lineman
Aaron Wisecup and cornerback
Kierre Rhodes. Brandon Vechhio held down the middle linebacking spot opposite Wilz and
Haydon Miller and
Logan Peterson were outside linebackers. Injury cut short
Jed Schlegel's season, but not be selected to the D3football.com team of the week early in the season. Schlegel was fourth on the team in total tackles with 65. Schlegel's ball-hawking skills gave him two interceptions and a fumble recovery. The Blue Devils will be looking to fill spots on the special teams, with both the kicker and punter spot, as well as the long snapper spot wide open. |
2019 Season Preview |
2018 Statistics
BREAKING OUT: Levy Hamer had the opportunity to become only the fourth Blue Devils receiver to go over 1000 receiving yards in a single season, but came up three yards short, finishing up with 997 yards.. Scott Frederickson holds the single season receiving record, pulling in 1185 yards in 1987. That season was a big passing year for the Blue Devils. Lined up on the opposite side was Mark Rothwell who collected 1090 receiving yards. Frederickson is the only Blue Devil receiver to have two 1000-yard seasons and he did it again in 1989 with 1102 yards. Scott Wojcik was the last Blue Devil receiver to break 1000 yards, coming in at 1002 yards in 1997.
PRESEASON POLLS: The Blue Devils finished in a tie for fourth 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-Whitewater is picked to finish first, UW-La Crosse second; UW-Oshkosh third; UW-Platteville fourth; UW-Stout fifth; UW-Stevens Point sixth; UW-Eau Claire seventh; and UW-River Falls eighth. |
WIAC Preseason Poll
WHO'S WHO: UW-PLATTEVILLE: Through five games, UW-Platteville leads the WIAC in scoring (37.2 ppg) and turnover margin while taking it away 18 times and giving it up only six times. The Pioneers' Colin Schhuetz leads the WIAC in passing yards with 1393 yards and also leads the conference in passing touchdowns with 15. Wyatt Thompson leads the Pioneers on the ground with 297 yards and also has found the endzone five times this year. Tyler Knigge leads the team in receptions (29) and receiving yards (411 yards). Donald Allender also has 21 receptions to go with 410 yards and leads the Pioneers with six touchdowns. On the other side of the ball, defensive back Tyler Reinhardt leads the team in tackles with 45. Reinhardt also has two interceptions on the year. Defensive back Luke Johnson leads the team with three interceptions.
UW-Platteville junior linebacker Eric Siedenburg had a team-best 76 tackles during the 2018 campaign, while senior defensive back Tyler Reinhardt was third with 66 tackles and recorded a team-high four interceptions. Junior running back Bo Babich led the Pioneers with nine total touchdowns, including eight rushing, and junior wide receiver Donald Allender had a team-best four touchdown receptions. Junior quarterback Colin Scheutz completed 54.5 percent of his passes for 1,970 yards and 10 touchdowns. Head coach Mike Emendorfer is also serving as the university's interim athletics director. | 2019 Statistics
UW-Platteville, Saturday, Oct. 19, 2 p.m.
Head Coach: Mike Emendorfer, 21st (109-106)
2018 Record: 4-6 (2-5 WIAC, 6th tie)
Series Record: Platteville leads, 37-24-1
Last Meeting: Stout 38, Platteville 33 (2018)
First Meeting: Platteville 25, Stout 8 (1935)
2019 Schedule
Sept. 7 East Texas Baptist, W 38-30
Sept. 21 Thomas More, W 41-10
Sept. 28 at Lakeland, W 55-28
Oct. 5 UW-La Crosse, W 38-20
Oct. 12 at UW-Whitewater, L 21-14
Oct. 19 UW-Stout, 2 p.m.
Oct. 26 at UW-Eau Claire, 1:10 p.m.
Nov. 2 UW-Oshkosh, 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 UW-Stevens Point, 2 p.m.
Nov. 16 at UW-River Falls, 1 p.m
2018 Results
Aug. 30 at East Texas Baptist, W 59-44
Sept. 15 at Thomas More, L 35-28
Sept. 22 Lakeland, W 49-12
Sept. 29 at UW-Stevens Point, W 20-6
Oct. 6 UW-River Falls, W 52-27
Oct. 13 at UW-Oshkosh, L 31-10
Oct. 20 UW-Eau Claire, L 40-16
Oct. 27 at UW-La Crosse, L 35-28
Nov. 3 at UW-Stout, L 38-33
Nov. 10 UW-Whitewater, L 49-21
THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:
| UW-Stout |
2019 WIAC Rankings |
|
2019 WIAC Rankings |
UW-Platteville |
| 22.4 |
7 |
PPG |
1 |
37.2 |
| 28.4 |
8 |
Opp. PPG |
4 |
21.8 |
| 228.8 |
5 |
Pass Yds |
1 |
284.4 |
| 95.6 |
6 |
Rush Yds |
7 |
95.0 |
| -7 (5/12) |
8 |
Turnover +/- |
1 |
+12 (18/6) |
PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Week 5: Offensive athlete of the week: Levy Hamer, So, Chicago, Ill (St. Laurence)Defensive athlete of the week: Luke Wilz, Sr, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf). Offensive scout team player of the week: Alex Biddle, Fr, Oconomowoc, Wis.; Defensive scout team player of the week: Spencer Konstanzer, Fr, Hanover Park, Ill (Bartlett)
Week 4: Offensive athlete of the week: Levy Hamer, So, Chicago, Ill (St. Laurence)/Sean Borgerding, So, Spring Valley, Wis. Defensive athlete of the week: Brandon Vecchio, Sr, Tomahawk, Wis./Aaron Wisecup, Sr, Monticello, Minn. Special team athlete of the week: Alec Benzinger, Jr, Waukesha, Wis. (Mukwonago) Offensive lineman of the week: Justin Schlangen, So, Ham Lake, Minn. (Blaine) Offensive scout team player of the week: Brady Glynn, Fr, Eyota, Minn. (Eyota-Dover).; Defensive scout team player of the week: Griffin Ewing, So, Wayzata, Minn.
Week 3: Offensive athlete of the week: Josh Nitek, So, Blair, Wis. (Blair-Taylor)/Auquieth Bradshaw, Sr, Daytona Beach, Fla. (Seabreeze). Defensive athlete of the week: Kierre Rhodes, Sr, St. Paul, Minn. (Johnson)/Luke Wilz, Sr, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf) Special team athlete of the week: Alec Benzinger, Jr, Waukesha, Wis. (Mukwonago)/Tyler Nichols, LS, Eau Claire, Wis. (North) Offensive lineman of the week: Thomas Roble, Sr, Carver, Minn. (Chanhassen) Offensive scout team player of the week: Cole Linson, Fr, St. Francis, Minn.; Defensive scout team player of the week: Jake Pyykola, Jr, Eau Claire, Wis. (North) / Warren Williams, Fr, Barron, Wis.
Week 2: Offensive athlete of the week: Levy Hamer, So, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurence) / Blake Purdy, Jr, Mondovi, Wis. Defensive athlete of the week: Jed Schlegel, Sr, Baldwin, Wis. (Spring Valley). Special team athlete of the week: none Offensive lineman of the week: Alex Negoski, Jr, Evergreen Park, Ill (Brother Rice) Offensive scout athlete of the week: JD Bates, Fr, Sauk Rapids, Minn.; Scout team defensive player of the week: Kevin Liu, Fr, Green Bay, Wis. (Ashwaubenon)
Week 1: Offensive athlete of the week: Josh Nitek, So, Blair, Wis. (Blair-Taylor) Defensive athlete of the week: Luke Wilz, Sr, Manawa, Wis./Jed Schlegel, Sr, Baldwin, Wis. (Spring Valley). Special team athlete of the week: Scott Gustafson, So, Victoria, Minn. (Chanhassen) Offensive lineman of the week: Alex Negoski, Jr, Evergreen Park, Ill (Brother Rice) Offensive scout athlete of the week: Cade Olson, So, Cleveland, Minn; Scout team defensive player of the week: Rex Meikle, Fr, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.
TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2019 season are: defensive back Jed Schlegel (Sr, Baldwin), linebacker Luke Wilz (Sr, Manawa), linebacker Brandon Vecchio (Sr, Tomahawk) and wide receiver Kevion McDonald (Sr, Hopkins, Minn)
RANKED OPPONENTS: The Blue Devils play two teams that opened the season ranked In the D3football.com Top 25 poll. The Blue Devils opened the season by hosting St. John's University (3rd), Sept. 7 (L 14-7) and will be at UW-Whitewater (4th) Nov. 9. UW-Oshkosh (Oct. 5), and UW-La Crosse (Oct. 12) received votes in the season's initial poll. In the latest D3football poll (Sept. 30), UW-Whitewater is 3rd, St. John's 4th and UW-Platteville is ranked 19th. La Crosse and UW-Oshkosh are receiving votes. In the latest AFCA Top 25 poll, Whitewater is 3rd, St. John's 4th, and Platteville 19th. UW-LaCrosse, UW-Oshkosh and Eau Claire are getting votes.
NATIONAL RANKINGS: The Blue Devils returned to the national rankings during the 2017 season after an upset win of fourth ranked St. Thomas. were first mentioned in the 2017 AFCA Football Coaches Top 25 poll, Sept. 24 and again Oct. 1, but fell out after a six point overtime loss to UW-La Crosse...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.
THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (37-58) is in his 10th season in 2019 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 (109-105 plus WW game) is in his 21st season at the helm of the program when preparing for the 2018 season. Becoming the all-time winningest coach in program history during the 2016 season, he has compiled an overall record of 97-95. His 97 wins rank 9th on the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) all-time list. In his 19 seasons, Emendorfer's teams have become synonymous with assaulting the record books, as the Pioneers have broken more than 40 school and 10 WIAC records. Emendorfer became the winningest coach in Pioneer history in 2016, a year he led the Pioneers to an 8-3 record and national playoff berth. The Pioneers' season ended with a controversial 32-31 loss at St. John's in the NCAA III playoffs. Emendorfer is also the interim athletic director for the second time.
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 13th season with the Blue Devils.
Nick Pesik begins his first season as the Blue Devil offensive coordinator, coming to Stout after three years as the wide receivers coach at UW-Whitewater.
Derek Branch is in his sixth 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 sixth 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 fourth 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 is in his second year as a Blue Devil assistant coach and works with the wide receivers. Mark Thomas returns to the Blue Devils as an assistant football coach, beginning his 28th season, and will work with the outside linebackers during the 2019 season.
Thor Daley is in his second year as a Blue Devil assistant, working with the offensive linemen. After an all-conference and all-region career as a Blue Devil punter, Clark Riedel is in his second 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 in a tie for fourth in league play last season and the Blue Devils were picked to finish fifth in a WIAC preseason poll released in mid-August.
SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Senior defensive lineman
Aaron Wisecup has been selected as a semi-finalist as a National Football Foundation (NFF) scholar-athlete for 2019 and has been selected as a semi-finalist for the Campbell Trophy.
SEASON HONORS: 2019:
Alec Benzinger has been placed on the Fred Mitchell Outstanding Place Kicker Award watch list...
Alec Benzinger was selected as the WIAC special teams athlete of the week for the second consecutive week after his three field goal performance against UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5...
Alec Benzinger was selected as the WIAC special teams athlete of the week and the UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week after his performance in a 29-21 win over California Lutheran, Sept. 28...Jed Schegel was selected as the UW-Stout/Toppers Athlete of the Week Sept. 16 after recording 14 tackles against Gustavus Adolphus College...
TOPPERS: The following are career bests for several of Stout's offensive players
Sean Borgerding - Passing
27 comp, 53 att, 381 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 12, 2019
19 comp, 38 att, 333 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2018
23 comp, 37 att, 315 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018
22 comp, 46 att, 278 yards, 2 TD vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
20 comp, 34 att, 274 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 13, 2018
10 comp, 13 att, 273 yards, 4 TDs vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
15 comp, 28 att, 233 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
22 comp, 43 att, 215 yards, vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 10, 2018
11 comp, 29 att, 207 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2019
8 comp, 14 att, 142 yards, 2 TDs vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 28, 2019
14 comp, 27 att, 139 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 27, 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
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
Josh Nitek - Rushing
20 carries, 90 yards, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 28, 2019
15 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 10, 2018
6 carries, 35 yards, vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
8 carries, 25 yards vs. St. John's, Sept. 7, 2019
Nick Arguedas - Rushing
12 carries, 72 yards, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 28, 2019
8 carries, 38 yards, 1 TD, vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
9 carries, 17 yards vs. St. John's, Sept. 7, 2019
Auqueith Bradshaw - Rushing
11 carries, 56 yards, 1 TD, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 28, 2019
Shahan Ameen - Rushing
3 carries, 15 yards vs. St. John's, Sept. 7, 2019
Levy Hamer - Receiving
10 receptions, 189 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 12, 2019
9 receptions, 177 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Eau Claire, Sept. 29, 2018
9 receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD, vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2018
4 receptions, 143 yards, 2 TDs, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
8 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD, vs. Gustavus Aldophus, Sept. 14, 2019
8 receptions, 100 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 13, 2018
9 receptions, 89 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018
4 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2019
7 receptions, 80 yards vs. St. John's University, Sept. 1, 2018
8 receptions, 77 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 27, 2018
7 receptions, 73 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 20, 2018
7 receptions, 62 yards vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 10, 2018
5 receptions, 53 yards vs. Gustavus Adolphus College, Sept. 8, 2018
Tyler Seymour - Receiving
3 receptions, 102 yards, TD, vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018
3 receptions, 86 yards, vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2018
4 receptions, 66 yards, vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
4 receptions, 46 yards, 1 TD, vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 20, 2018
Parker Fossum - Receiving
5 receptions, 81 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 13, 2018
8 receptions, 77 yards vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 10, 2018
4 reception, 71 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018
4 receptions, 67 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 27, 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
8 receptions, 75 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 12, 2019
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
83 - Sean Borgerding to Levy Hamer vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2018
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
333 - Sean Borgerding vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2018 (19 comp, 38 att, 2 TD)
315 - Sean Borgerding vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018 (23 comp, 37 att, 1 TD)
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
182- KeyShawn Carpenter vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 20, 2018 (38 carries, 3 TD)
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
51- Drew Pearson vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 13, 2017
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
Scored a Defensive Extra Point
Dylan Peterson intercepted, lateraled to Jed Schlegel, who scored vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
Abraham Cruz intercepted vs. St. John's University (NCAA Playoffs), Nov. 18, 2000
Tony Beckham intercepted vs. Southwest State University (in the Metrodome), Nov. 14, 1999
Tony Aizupura intercepted, 1995
THE LAST TIME A STOUT TEAM...
Played an overtime game
Oct. 6, 2018 - vs. UW-La Crosse, L 29-23 (OT)
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 yards of total 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
Carried the ball 55 or more times
56 - vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 28, 2019
56 - vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 20, 2018
57 - vs. UW-Oshkosh, Nov. 12, 2011
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
PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2019: The Blue Devils will host Student Day, Sept. 7; Alumni Day, Sept. 14 and will hold a reunion for the 2009 football team; Homecoming, Oct. 6; Fam Jam and Military Appreciation Day, Oct. 26; and Senior Day, Nov. 2.
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.
EUROPEAN FLAVOR: UW-Stout coach Clayt Birmingham has been active in raising the popularity of American football in Europe and has made several trips to Europe to participate in workshops and coaching clinics. Quentin Danès, a football coach from France, spent two weeks in the Blue Devils' 2019 training camp. | Danes Feature story | During the 2018 season, the Blue Devils had a coach from Germany into preseason camp for a couple of days. Enzo Rosani began his career as a Blue Devil, joining Stout as a cornerback from France on the 2014 roster. Feature Story In all likelihood, Rosani is the only international student to have played football for UW-Stout for four seasons. Rosani earned All-WIAC second team honors. For the 2019 season, Quentin Danes spent two weeks during the preseason working with the coaching staff. Danes was a teammate of Rosani on the French national team...The Blue Devils have consistently welcomed European coaches to their training camp. In 2011 it was Nico Teichert and Johannes Fiebig from Germany getting an up close look at American football. The Blue Devils also had Antti Kurenniemi, a native of Finland, on their roster in 2011. Kurenniemi saw action in several games. In 2012, the Blue Devils, for the first time in several years, did not host a European coach, but did have an international player, Jan Andre Millemann from Germany, who is the subject of this feature story.
DON & NONA WILLIAMS STADIUM: UW-Stout's Don and Nona Williams Stadium got a facelift in 2018 with the installation of an updated surface. FieldTurf 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 return home to face UW-Stevens Point, Saturday, Oct. 26 at 1 p.m. for Heroes Day, a day to honor military personel, veterans and service employess. The day is also the University's Fam Jam.
