Blue Devils hold tight to grab win over California Lutheran

UW-Stout 29, California Lutheran 21 | Photo Gallery by Crossview Studios

THOUSAND OAKS, Calif (September 28, 2019) – UW-Stout built up a 19-0 halftime lead, but then had to hold off California Lutheran University in the second half to take a 29-21 win in California.
 
Sean Borgerding hit Kevion McDonald for a 57-yard TD pass at 9:15 of the first quarter. Alec Benzinger hit a 27-yard field goal with four minutes remaining in the first stanza.
 
The Blue Devils (1-2) gathered nine points in the second period, driving 92-yards in 12 plays as Auquieth Bradshaw scored his first collegiate TD, scoring from one yard out at 4:22 of the second period. The Blue Devils recorded a safety at 3:48 to take a 19 point lead into the locker room.
 
The Kingsmen (1-2) got on the board in the third period capping off an 88-yard drive with a 18-yard TD from Cesar DeLeon to James Holland with six minute left in the period.
 
Benzinger scored his second field of the game, a career-best 36 yarder seconds into the fourth quarter, but Cal Lutheran came back with a 71 yard drove and Jajuan Thomas bowled in from 9-yards out at 11:47 to make it 22-14 Stout.
 
The Blue Devils gave themselves a little room with 5:16 remaining with tight end Blake Purdy scored his first collegiate TD on a 5-yard toss from Borgerding.
 
The Kingsmen charged back to score with three minutes remaining in the game on 20-yard TD catch by Cameron Jones to make his 29-21.
 
The Blue Devils recovered the onside kick, but were stopped offensively and punted the ball away.
 
Defensive lineman Scott Gustafson locked up the game for Stout when he forced a strip sack and recovered the ball with less than a minute to play.
 
Stout tallied 384 total yards, 242 rushing yards of 56 carries, and 142 passing yards. The Kingsmen had 369 total yards, 354 through the air and only 15 on the ground.
 
Josh Nitek talled a career-best 90 rushing yards, while Nick Arguedas added 72. Bradshaw rolled up 56 yards and a score. Borgerding completed eight passes for 142 yards and two scores. Levy Hamer had two catches for 41 yards.
 
DeLeon completed 28 of 42 passes for 354 yards and three TDs. James Holland had six catches for 108 yards and Cameron James had six catches for 100 yards.
 
The Blue Devils will open conference play when they host UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Oct. 5 at 2 p.m. for the annual homecoming game.