Football Preview: Blue Devils mark Senior Day and final home game

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THIS WEEK'S GAME: The Blue Devils (2-5, 1-3 WIAC) return home to host UW-River Falls (1-6, 0-4 WIAC), Saturday, Nov. 2 and will mark the final home game for 14 seniors. This is not your fathers's Falcon team that used to pound the opponent with an effective wishbone offense that rarely threw the ball. The Falcons are averaging 322.4 yards passing per game. The Falcons can still run the ball, just not as much and are averaging 129.0 yards per game. Stout will recognize their 14 seniors before the game. The game is sponsored by Westconsin Credit Union.

SENIOR DAY: The Blue Devils will honor their 14 seniors before Saturday's game. Those seniors are: Luke Wilz, Kevion McDonald, Curtis Neu, Mason Olson, Jed Schlegel, Aaron Wisecup, Justin Herbst, Brandon Vecchio, Kierre Rhodes, Jake Schmitt, Holden Timm, Thomas Roble, Dylan Peterson and Heaven Hunt. 

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, L 33-27.	Oct. 13 at UW-River Falls, L 21-19
Oct. 26 vs. UW-Stevens Point, W 38-31	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

LAST TIME OUT: UW-STOUT: UW-Stout had a chance to win in the first overtime, but a missed field goal brought it to a second overtime. The offense scored on a 16 yard touchdown pass and the defense forced a fumble, recovered the ball and stormed the field for the 38-31 win over UW-Stevens Point Saturday at Don and Nona Williams Stadium.  The Blue Devils stopped Stevens Point  in the first overtime. The Pointers were called for holding on first down, then were sacked twice for 19 yards. Mason Priebe intercepted the Pointers' Matt Urmanski on 3rd-and-39, but Stout missed an opportunity to take the game in the first overtime on a missed 29 yard field goal. Stout had the ball to open the second overtime and capitalized on 4th-and-1 when quarterback Sean Borgerding hit Tyler Seymour for a 16-yard score. The Pointers had the ball and, after getting a first down to the Stout 13, the Blue Devils' Aaron Wisecup forced a fumble and Haydon Miller hopped on the ball to seal Stout's first conference win of the season. | Game Story and Stats

LAST TIME OUT: UW-RIVER FALLS: The Falcons stayed consistent throughout the game, starting off the game with an early touchdown before ultimately falling to the Warhawks 49-28. The Falcons scored on the opening drive of the game accumulating 70 yards in 13 plays.  Ben Beckman ran in a 5-yard rush to give the Falcons their only lead of the game. The Warhawks answered back with their own touchdown scoring on an 8-yard touchdown pass at 5:43. On the Warhawks second drive, Alex Peete rushed for 59 yards to give the Warhawks a 14-7 lead.  In the second quarter, the Warhawks scored their third touchdown on an 18-yard pass from Zach Oles to Sam DeLany at 7:24. The Warhawks extended their lead to 28-13 on two back to back passes that accounted for 70 yards. | Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND UW-RIVER FALLS LAST MET: In a game that featured four lead swings, UW-Stout  came out on the short end to fell to UW-River Falls  21-19, Oct. 13, 2018, at Ramer Field.  Both teams were above 400 yards of total offense, but the Falcons led in that category 455 to 422.  Sean Borgerding led the air attack with 274 yards to go along with two touchdowns. Levy Hamer was his main target as Hamer finished the game with eight receptions for 100 yards and a touchdown. Parker Fossum had 88 yards on five receptions and a touchdown.  On the ground, Keyshawn Carpenter led the Blue Devils with 95 yards. Rayshawn Graham also ran for 38 yards. Jed Schlegel led the defense with 12 tackles.  | Game Story and Stats

THE SERIES: River Falls leads the series, 70-35.  


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 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 picked up their first conference win of the season with a 38-31 double overtime win over UW-Stevens Point. Sean Borgerding tallied 436 yards of total offense, running for the tying touchdown and throwing the game-winner.  The Blue Devils are averaging 359.0 yards of offense, 100.4 yards rushing, 258.6 passing.  | 2019 Statistics

THE RUNNING GAME: Sophomore Josh Nitek and Nick Arguedas had been leading the Blue Devils' rushing game, but on the strength of a 149 yard rushing game, quarterback Sean Borgerding has become the leading rusher with 211 yards on 101 carries. Nitek has carried the ball 50 times for 179 yards, averaging 3.6 yards per carry.  Arguedas has logged 39 totes for 164 yards for 4.2 yards per carry. Shahan Ameen is averaging 3.9 yards per carry in limited action, carrying the ball 14 times for 63 yards. The transfer from Augustana earned his first touchdown of the season against UW-Stevens Point, bulling over from the 3. 

THE PASSING GAME: Sean Borgerding has completed 126 of 247 passes. Borgerding has thrown 15 TD passes and has run for three. Borgerding has 1765 yards passing, averaging 252.1 per game, fourth in the WIAC.  Levy Hamer, last year's leading receiver, has caught 32 passes for 652 yards and four scores. Hamer averages 93.1 receiving yards per game, third in the WIAC. Hamer is averaging 4.6 receptions per game, seventh in the WIAC.  Kevion McDonald has pulled down 34 catches for 483 yards and three scores. Tyler Seymour has 23 catches for 336 yards and five TDs. Coming out of the backfield, Josh Nitek has nine catches for 48 yards.  

DEFENSE: Safety Jed Schlegel and linebacker Luke Wilz are among the top six in the WIAC in tackles and Brandon Vecchio is among the top 11. Schlegel is second in the WIAC and leads Stout with 67 tackles, 42 solo, and a team-best six pass break-ups. Wilz is sixth in the WIAC and has 55 tackles, with 23 solo tackles and four tackles for loss. Schlegel and Wilz each have an interception.  Vecchio, who missed part of one game, has tallied 48 tackles, 22 solo, and is ranked 11th in the league.  Mason Olson leads the team with 6.5 tackles for loss, and has three sacks. Aaron Wisecup has a team-best 4.0 sacks, among his 22 tackles. Defensive back Kierre Rhodes has 40 tackles, 30 solo.  Defensive lineman Scott Gustafson has the longest stat line with 13 tackles, 4.0 tackles for loss, 3.0 sacks, two pass breakups, one fumble forced, one recovered fumble and one blocked kick. The Blue Devils are giving up 387.4 yards, 99.4 rushing, 288.0 passing.

BENZINGER BOOTING WELL:  For the season, UW-Stout kicker/punter Alec Benzinger has made 6-of-11 field goals and 17-of-19 extra point attempts. The junior currently leads the team in scoring with 35 points, sixth among kickers in the WIAC. Benzinger's six field goals is tied for first among the seven conference teams. Benzinger leads the WIAC in punting average, averaging 39.5 yards over 28 kicks. For the season, Benzinger has pinned four punts inside the 20-yard line and has four punts of 50-plus yards, including a season-long of 62 yards. Benzinger was selected as the WIAC Kwik Trip Football Special Teams Athlete of the Week two consecutive weeks. 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 14 kickoffs for 245 yards, with a long of 35 yards (17.5 y/return). Levy Hamer has returned nine kickoffs for 198 yards with a long of 52 yards and an average of 22.0 yards per return. Hamer has returned eight punts for 46 yards (5.8 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. Kevion McDonald pulled in nine passes for a career-best 136 yards against UW-Stevens Point.

BORGERDING'S BIG DAY: UW-Stout quarterback Sean Borgerding was the Kwik Trip WIAC Athlete of the Week after tallying 436 yards of total offense, 149 rushing, 287 yards passing, against UW-Stevens Point Oct. 26. Borgerding's 149 yards rushing is a season best for rushing yards by a single player this year and is the best for a Stout quarterback since Ross Carey ran for 161 yards on 12 carries at UW-La Crosse, Oct. 31, 2009. The most rushing yards for a Stout quarterback in a single game in the last 20 years came Oct. 16, 2004, when Nick Ohman carried the ball 22 times for 163 yards against UW-Stevens Point. During Ohman's Hall of Fame career, he had seven 100-plus yard rushing days. Tanner Kattre ran 27 times for 145 yards against UW-Oshkosh Oct. 16, 2007.

IN THE BOOKS: Spencer Marlier hauled in his first collegiate catch, a 22-yard pass from Sean Borgerding against UW-La Crosse. Marlier has been more of a target lately and and now has six receptions for 61 yards. Tight end John Smozynski caught his first collegiate pass, a five yard reception against UW-Oshkosh, then caught his first TD pass in the first quarter against UW-Stevens Point. Smozynski doubled his fun with another TD against the Pointers just before the first period ended. Smozynski now has three catches for 15 yards.

CLIMBING THE LADDER: Kevion McDonald is currently fourth on the Blue Devils' all-time receiving list with 1786 yards in 117 receptions. In his second season, Levy Hamer is currently 10th on the all-time receiving list, tallying 1649 yards on 105 receptions. Sean Borgerding is currently eighth on the all-time passing list. The sophomore has completed 275 of 526 passes for 3851 yards. 


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-RIVER FALLS: The Falcons proved they can move the ball when they went toe-to-toe with a hot UW-La Crosse offense two weeks ago. In a 63-49 shootout loss, the Falcons racked up 611 yards of total offense, collecting 118 yards rushing and piling up 493 passing. The Falcons scored seven touchdowns. QB Ben Beckman had a total of 493 passing yards, 54 net rushing yards and scored a touchdown in the middle of the fourth quarter.  His 40 completed passes was a Falcon single game record as well as the second most completed passes in a WIAC game.  WR Alex Herink had 266 receiving yards and scored two touchdowns, one midway through the third quarter and the other at the beginning of the fourth quarter. Herink's 266 receiving yards broke the single season school record.

Ben Beckman leads the WIAC in passing, going 172 of 299 for 2110 yards with 13 TDs and 301.4 yards per game. Alex Herink averages 101.3 yards per game (709 yards), second in the WIAC, 44 receptions and has hauled in four TDs. Alex Traxler has 40 receptions for 538 yards and five TDs. Alex Wickliff has 318 yards on 28 receptions. Luke Fugate leads the team in rushing with 365 yards on 90 carries and four TDs. Linebacker Max Praschak leads the WIAC in tackles, averaging 12.0 tackles per contest. The senior 'backer has 84 total tackles, and his 53 solo tackles is fourth in the country.   |  2019 Statistics

Last season: UW-River Falls senior quarterback Ben Beckman completed 163-of-316 passes for 2,155 yards and 13 touchdowns during the 2018 campaign. He was the only WIAC player to produce a 400-yard passing effort a season ago with 405 yards against UW-Platteville on Oct. 6. Sophomore running back Sam Altena had a team-best 734 rushing yards and nine rushing touchdowns, while senior wide receiver Alex Herink was second in the league with nine touchdown receptions and added 692 receiving yards. Senior linebacker Max Praschak was second in the WIAC with 107 tackles, including a 19-tackle effort against Bethel University (Minn.) on Sept. 8.

UW-River Falls, Saturday, Nov. 2, 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Matt Walker, 12th all, 8th UWRF
Coach's Record: 42-70 all, 20-62 UWRF
2018 Record: 3-7 (2-5 WIAC, 6th tie)
Series Record: River Falls leads, 70-35
Last Meeting: River Falls 21, Stout 19 (2018)
First Meeting: River Falls 13, Stout 11 (1911)

2019 Schedule
Sept. 7 at Minnesota Morris, W 45-7
Sept. 14 Bethel University, L 38-20
Sept. 21 at Waldorf (IA), L 27-24
Oct. 5 at UW-Stevens Point, L 30-16
Oct. 12 at UW-Eau Claire, L 27-14
Oct. 19 UW-La Crosse, L 63-49
Oct. 26 UW-Whitewater, L 49-28
Nov. 2 at UW-Stout, 1 p.m.
Nov. 9 at UW-Oshkosh, 1 p.m.
Nov. 16 UW-Platteville, 1 p.m.

2018 Results
Sept. 1 Minnesota-Morris, W 41-0
Sept. 8 at Bethel University, L 32-27
Sept. 15 Missouri Baptist, L 38-28
Sept. 29 UW-Oshkosh, L 48-14
Oct. 6 at UW- Platteville, L 52-27
Oct. 13 UW-Stout, W 20-19
Oct. 20 at UW-Whitewater, L 44-7
Oct. 27 UW-Eau Claire, W 42-24
Nov. 3 at UW-La Crosse, L 29-14
Nov. 10 UW-Stevens Point, L 39-25

THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

UW-Stout	2019 WIAC Rankings		2019 WIAC Rankings	UW-River Falls
25.3	5	PPG	4	28.0
29.4	7	Opp. PPG	8	34.4
258.6	4	Pass Yds	2	322.4
100.4	6	Rush Yds	4	129.0
-8 (8/16)	7	Turnover +/-	8	-9 (9/18)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Week 7: Offensive athlete of the week: Sean Borgerding, So, Spring Valley, Wis. Defensive athlete of the week: Mason Olson, Sr, Clear Lake, Minn. (Becker)  Offensive lineman of the week: Thomas Roble, Sr, Carver, Minn. (Chanhassen). Offensive scout team player of the week: Cade Olson, Fr, Cleveland, Minn.; Defensive scout team player of the week: Nate Behrends, Fr, Roberts, Wis. (St. Croix Central)
Week 6: Offensive athlete of the week: Sean Borgerding, So, Spring Valley, Wis./Tyler Seymour, So, Duluth, Minn. (East); Defensive athlete of the week: Aaron Wisecup, Sr, Monticello, Minn. Special team athlete of the week: Alec Benzinger, Jr, Waukesha, Wis. (Mukwonago) Offensive lineman of the week: Bailey Roux, Jr, Rice Lake, Wis. Offensive scout team player of the week: Ethan Wiesner, Fr, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf); Defensive scout team player of the week: Griffin Ewing, So, Wayzata, Minn.
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)
 

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (38-58) 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. (Birmingham's record coming into the season 36-54) UW-River Falls: Matt Walker (42-70 all, 20-62 UWRF) is in his ninth season as head football coach at UW-River Falls in 2019. Walker has coached 59 Falcons to All-WIAC honors. In four of his seven seasons as the head coach, one of his players earned the sport's WIAC Scholar-Athlete award. Greg Klingelhutz won the award in 2011, John Schimenz claimed the honor in 2012, Ryan Kusilek received the award in 2015, and Micheal Diggins in 2017.  Walker, was the head football coach at DePauw University from 2006-09 and compiled a 22-8 overall record. His teams finished 13-7 in the Southern Collegiate Athletic Conference and placed second in the final conference standings in 2007 and 2008. From 2000-05 he was an assistant coach with the Tigers and coached running backs and wide receivers.

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: Sean Borgerding was the Kwik Trip WIAC Athlete of the Week and the UW-Stout Toppers Athlete of the Week after tallying 436 yards of total offense (149 rushing, 287 passing) in a double overtime win over UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26...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
20 comp, 37 att, 334 yards, 4 TDs vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 19, 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
25 comp, 42 att, 287 yards, 3 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019
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
Sean Borgerding - Rushing
21 carries, 149 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019
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
Shahan Ameen - Rushing
10 carries, 44 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019
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, 20
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 Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
3 receptions, 118 yards, 1 TD, vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 19, 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, 85 yards, 2 TDs, vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 19, 2019
4 receptions, 66 yards, vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
5 receptions, 51 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 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
9 receptions, 136 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019
7 receptions, 133 yards vs. St. Thomas, Sept. 9, 2017
8 receptions, 117 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 19, 2019
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
149 - Sean Borgerding vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019 (29 carries, 1 TD)
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)
A quarterback ran for 100-plus yards
149 - Sean Borgerding vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019 (29 carries, 1 TD)
161 - Ross Carey vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 31, 2009 (12 carries, 1 TD)
145 - Tanner Kattre vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 16, 2017 (27 carries, 2 TDs)
100 - Tanner Kattre vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 22, 2005 (17 carries)
148 - Nick Ohman vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 13, 2004 (35 carries)
150 - Nick Ohman vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 6, 2004 (25 carries, 1 TD)
125 - Nick Ohman vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 30, 2004 (26 carries, 1 TD)
163 - Nick Ohman vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2004, (22 carries)
116 - Nick Ohman vs. DePauw, Sept. 11, 2004 (19 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. 26, 2019 - vs. UW-Stevens Point, W 38-31 (2OT)
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

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.

UP NEXT: The Blue Devils will travel to UW-Whitewater, Saturday, Nov. 9 for a 2 p.m. meeting with the Top 5 ranked team.