Football Preview: I-94 battle to highlight season finale

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THIS WEEK'S GAME: The Blue Devils (3-6, 2-4 WIAC) will close out the season Saturday, Nov. 16 at with the annual War on I-94 rivalry game at UW-Eau Claire (3-6, 1-5 WIAC) at 1 p.m. The Blue Devils have had the trophy in Menomonie for the last four years.

WAR ON I-94: The War on I-94 Trophy between UW-Stout and UW-Eau Claire started in 2008. Eau Claire won the first contest for the trophy at Don and Nona Williams Stadium, Nov. 15, 2008, the final game of the 2008 season. Stout holds a 6-4 lead in the contest. The teams played for the Little Brown Jug for two brief stints, once during the 1930s and again in the 1950s. Eau Claire will host the 2019 game the final game of the season.
2008 - Eau Claire 17, Stout 6
2009 - Stout 36, Eau Claire 15
2010 - Stout 37, Eau Claire 28
2011 - Eau Claire 24, Stout 10
2012 - Eau Claire 21, Stout 13
2013 - Stout 35, Eau Claire 27
2014 - Eau Claire 20, Stout 17
2015 - Stout 45, Eau Claire 12
2016 - Stout 30, Eau Claire 7
2017 - Stout 55, Eau Claire 7
2018 - Stout 26, Eau Claire 20

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.iheart.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. The November show is Thursday, Nov. 14. The December show will be Thursday, Dec. 12. 
 

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, W 30-24	Oct. 27 vs. UW-Whitewater, L 40-10
Nov. 9 at UW-Whitewater, L 37-17	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 trailed by only one score at halftime as the Blue Devil defense put the clamps on No. 3 UW-Whitewater, but the Warhawks outscored Stout (3-6, 2-4 WIAC) 24-14 in the second half and went on to a 37-17 win to put a stop to the Blue Devils' winning streak Saturday at Perkins Stadium.. | Game Story and Stats

LAST TIME OUT: UW-EAU CLAIRE: Eau Claire dropped a conference game to the UW-La Crosse Saturday afternoon, 42-7 in La Crosse. La Crosse jumped out to a big lead early, as they got touchdown passes on their first three drives from quarterback Evan Lewandowski, while forcing the Blugolds to punt on each of their three first quarter possessions, to go up 21-0. The Eau Claire defense stopped La Crosse on their first drive of the second quarter, but a fourth touchdown pass from Lewandowksi on their next possession put the Eagles up 28-0 with 7:08 remaining in the second quarter. | Game Story and Statistics

WHEN STOUT AND UW-EAU CLAIRE LAST MET: The "War on 94" trophy will stay in Menomonie for another year after Levy Hamer scored twice and Rayshawn Graham bulled his way for 145 yards as UW-Stout defeated UW-Eau Claire, 26-20, Sept. 29, 2018, at Don and Nona Williams Stadium. After out-scoring Eau Claire (2-2, 0-1 WIAC) by a combined 130-26 over the last three games, this game proved to be much more entertaining for fans in the stands. The Blugolds served notice that tonight's game was not going to be a runaway, getting on the board first, taking the opening kickoff and grinding out a 14-play, 7-minute, 53-second drive and took the early lead on an eight yard pass from Scott Procter to Austin Belot. Stout tallied 426 yards of total offense, gaining 193 on the ground and 233 through the air, while holding Eau Claire to 255 total yards, 203 by rushing and only 52 through the air. | Game Story and Stats

THE SERIES: Eau Claire leads the series, 51-39-6, but Stout has won the last four meetings.


A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS: It has been an up-and-down season for the Blue Devils and Stout has strung together a pair of thrilling wins.. 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 held off UW-River Falls, Nov. 2, for their second consecutive conference win, before running into third ranked UW-Whitewater. The Blue Devils are averaging 352.2 yards of offense, 98.8 yards rushing, 253.4 passing. | 2019 Statistics

THE PASSING GAME: Sean Borgerding has completed 170 of 325 passes. Borgerding has thrown 19 TD passes and has run for five. Borgerding has 2207 yards passing, averaging 245/2 per game, fourth in the WIAC. Levy Hamer, last year's leading receiver, has caught 41 passes for 755 yards and six scores. Hamer averages 83.9 receiving yards per game, fifth in the WIAC. Hamer is averaging 4.6 receptions per game, eighth in the WIAC. Kevion McDonald has pulled down 46 catches for 592 yards and three scores. Tyler Seymour has 27 catches for 368 yards and five TDs. Parker Fossum has 21 catches for 272 yards.

THE RUNNING GAME: Quarterback Sean Borgerding is the leading rusher with 264 yards on 152 carries. Josh Nitek has carried the ball 55 times for 218 yards, averaging 4.0 yards per carry. Nick Arguedas has logged 48 totes for 197 yards for 4.1 yards per carry. Shahan Ameen is averaging 3.4 yards per carry in limited action, carrying the ball 20 times for 68 yards. The transfer from Augustana earned his first touchdown of the season against UW-Stevens Point, bulling over from the 3.

DEFENSE: Safety Jed Schlegel and linebacker Luke Wilz are among the top seven in the WIAC in tackles and Brandon Vecchio is among the top 15. Schlegel is fourth in the WIAC and leads Stout with 79 tackles, 46 solo, and a team-best seven pass break-ups. Wilz is seventh in the WIAC and has 69 tackles, with 28 solo tackles and 6.0 tackles for loss. Schlegel has two interceptions and Wilz, Mason Priebe and Cannon Griner each have an interception. Griner is matched with Schlegel with seven pass breakups. Vecchio has tallied 56 tackles, 24 solo, and is ranked 14th in the league. Mason Olson leads the team with 9.0 tackles for loss, and has three sacks. Aaron Wisecup has a team-best 4.0 sacks, among his 28 tackles. Defensive back Kierre Rhodes has 53 tackles, 36 solo. Defensive lineman Scott Gustafson has the longest stat line with 16 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 have blocked five kicks so far this year. The Blue Devils are giving up 384.9 yards, 100.4 rushing, 284.4 passing.

BENZINGER'S BOOTS: For the season, UW-Stout kicker/punter Alec Benzinger has made 8-of-13 field goals and 22-of-25 extra point attempts. The junior currently leads the team in scoring with 46 points, fifth among kickers in the WIAC. Benzinger's eight field goals is tied for second among the seven conference teams. Benzinger leads the WIAC in punting average, averaging 39.0 yards over 39 kicks. For the season, Benzinger has pinned six 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. .

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 third on the Blue Devils' all-time receiving list with 1895 yards in 129 receptions. In his second season, Levy Hamer is currently sixth on the all-time receiving list, tallying 1752 yards on 114 receptions. Sean Borgerding is currently seventh on the all-time passing list. The sophomore has completed 319 of 604 passes for 4293 yards with 33 TDs thrown.


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-EAU CLAIRE: After a season-high of beating then sixth-ranked St. Thomas Sept. 28, which propelled Eau Claire into the national rankings for a spell, the Blugolds have struggled to find a way to win, with their last victory coming Oct. 12 in a 27-14 home win over UW-River Falls. The Blue Devils' leading rusher is Austin Belot with 947 yards, but Belot has been out for several weeks. Conrad Bolz has taken Belot's spot and has rushed for 292 yards for an average of 3.0 yards per game. Josiah Johnson has completed 77 of-130 passes for 741 yards an three TDs. Will Adair has caught 20 passes for 197 yards and Darius Johns has pulled down 19 passes for 326 at 17.2 yards per reception. Preseason All-American linebacker Sam Romanski leds the team in tackles with 66. The senior has 16.5 tackles for loss and 9.5 sacks. The Blugolds are averaging 280.1 yards per game, 156.9 rushing, 123.2 passing. The Eau Claire defense is giving up 347.2 yards per contest, 119.1 rushing, 228.1 passing. | 2019 Statistics

UW-Eau Claire, Saturday, Nov. 16, 1 p.m.
Head Coach: Wesley Beschorner, 1st
2018 Record: 4-6 (2-5 WIAC, 6th tie)
Series Record: UW-Eau Claire leads, 51-39-6
Last Meeting: Stout 26, Eau Claire 20 (2018)
First Meeting: Stout 49, Eau Claire 0 (1917)

2019 Schedule
Sept. 7 Loras (IA), W 35-3.
Sept. 14 at St. Norbert, L 27-21
Sept. 28 St. Thomas, W 21-19.
Oct. 5 at UW-Whitewater, L 24-14
Oct. 12 UW-River Falls, 1W 27-14.
Oct. 19 at UW-Oshkosh, L 31-3
Oct. 26 UW-Platteville, L 43-8
Nov. 2 at UW-Stevens Point, L 40-12
Nov. 9 at UW-La Crosse, L 42-7
Nov. 16 UW-Stout, 1:10 p.m.
 

THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

UW-Stout	2019 WIAC Rankings		2019 WIAC Rankings	UW-Eau Claire
24.9	6	PPG	8	16.4
29.7	7	Opp. PPG	5	26.8
253.4	4	Pass Yds	8	123.2
98.8	6	Rush Yds	3	156.9
-6 (12/18)	7	Turnover /-	6	-5 (12/17)

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: Week 10: Offensive athlete of the week: Sean Borgerding, So, Spring Valley, Wis. Defensive athlete of the week: Jed Schlegel, Sr, Baldwin, Wis. (Spring Valley) / Luke Wilz, Sr, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf) Special team athlete of the week: Alec Benzinger, Jr, Waukesha, Wis. (Mukwonago).; Offensive lineman of the week: Alex Negoski, Jr, Evergreen Park, Ill (Brother Rice) Offensive scout team player of the week: Anthony Macias, Fr, Lake Crystal, Minn. (Nicollet) Defensive scout team player of the week: Riley Crotteau, So, Rice Lake, Minn.
Week 9: Offensive athlete of the week: Parker Fossum, So, Chatfield, Minn. Defensive athlete of the week: Luke Wilz, Sr, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf) / Mason Olson, Sr, Clear Lake, Minn. (Becker) Special team athlete of the week: Dylan Peterson, Sr, Stratford, Wis.; Offensive scout team player of the week: Ben Boie, So, Thorp, Wis. (Stanley-Boyd) / Calvin Meacham, Fr, Sturgeon Bay, Wis.; Defensive scout team player of the week: Josh Pykkola, Jr, Eau Claire, Wis. (North)
Week 8: Offensive athlete of the week: Sean Borgerding, So, Spring Valley, Wis. Defensive athlete of the week: Cannon Griner, Fr, Mesa, Ariz (Red Mountain)/Luke Wilz, Sr, Manawa, Wis. (Little Wolf) Special team athlete of the week: Aaron Wisecup, Sr, Monticello, Minn.; Offensive lineman of the week: Justin Schlangen, So, Ham Lake, Minn. (Blaine) Offensive scout team player of the week: Jack Rashid, Jr, Duluth, Minn. (East).; Defensive scout team player of the week: Griffin Ewing, So, Wayzata, Minn.
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 (39-58) 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-Eau Claire: Wesley Beschorner enters his first season as head coach of the UW-Eau Claire football team in 2019-2020. Beschorner, who had been the quarterbacks coach at the NCAA Division I University of Maryland, became the 17th coach in school history when he was hired in February 2019. At Maryland, the Terrapin offense ranked second in the Big Ten in rushing touchdowns, number three in rushing offense and saw five players earn All-Big Ten honors last season. Beschorner is a former standout at the University of South Dakota who went from Offensive Scout Team MVP to being a Harlon Hill finalist his senior season - an award given to the most valuable player in NCAA Division II. As the Coyotes signal-caller, Beschorner led South Dakota to a North Central Conference title in 2005. That season, he also earned First Team All-American honors and led Division II in passing efficiency. Beschorner re-wrote the record books during his four-year career, setting 33 program records. For his efforts, he was inducted into South Dakota's Hall of Fame in 2017.

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
25 comp, 40 att, 233 yards, 3 TDs vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 2, 2019
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
7 carries, 29 yards, vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 2, 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, 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 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
5 receptions, 67 yards, 2 TDs, vs. UW-River Falls, Nov. 2, 2019
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
6 receptions, 87 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Whitewater, Nov. 9, 2019
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.

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 has been 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 season is over.