Football Preview: Blue Devils/Blugolds to clash Saturday night in War on I-94 battle in 100th meeting

THIS WEEK'S GAME: UW-Stout (2-1, 0-0 WIAC) will stay at home for the second of three home games and open the WIAC schedule Saturday, Oct. 1. And what better way to open the conference schedule by hosting nearby UW-Eau Claire (1-2, 0-0 WIAC) in the annual War on I-94. Plus, this week's game will also be the 100th meeting between the two teams. The rivalry began on Oct. 26, 1917, with the Blue Devils taking a 49-0 win in Menomonie. Over the years, the teams have played a few series of rivalry games, playing for the Little Brown Jug in the 1930s and again in the 1950s. The War on I-94 games began in 2008 and Stout holds a 9-4 record, winning the last six games. Overall, Eau Claire holds a 53-40-6 lead in the series. This is Parents Weekend on the Stout campus.

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 9-4 lead in the series. 
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
2019 - Stout 47, Eau Claire 17
2021 - Stout 38, Eau Claire 34

2022 Schedule: The Blue Devils play five teams that appeared in the D3football.com Top 25 poll at one point during the 2021 season - UW-Whitewater, UW-La Crosse, UW-River Falls, UW-Oshkosh and Wartburg College, plus Gustavus Adolphus received votes through a portion of the season. The Blue Devils were in the national poll receiving votes category from Week 3 to Week 8. 

ON THE AIR: iHeartRadio's Newstalk WMEQ AM 880 and 106.3FM will provide broadcast coverage for the season with Pete Knutson providing commentary during the games. Game streams are available on wmeq.com/listen 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.

 

2022 Blue Devil Schedule	2021 Blue Devil Results
Sept. 10 at Wartburg College, L 27-0	Sept. 4 at Presentation College, W 42-14
.Sept. 17 at Gustavus Adolphus, W 28-25	Sept. 11 vs. St. Norbert College, W 34-14
Sept. 24 vs. Crown College, W 66-6	Sept. 18 at UW-Stevens Point (nc), W 45-14
Oct. 1 vs. UW-Eau Claire, 6 p.m.	Oct. 2 at UW-Whitewater, L 37-6
Oct. 8 vs. UW-La Crosse, 1 p.m.	Oct. 9 at UW-Eau Claire, W 38-34
Oct. 15 at UW-Stevens Point, 1 p.m.	Oct. 16 vs. UW-Stevens Point, W 37-12
Oct. 22 at UW-Oshkosh, 2 p.m.	Oct. 23 at UW-La Crosse, L 44-38
Oct. 29 vs. UW-Platteville, 2 p.m.	Oct. 30 vs. UW-Oshkosh, L 43-36
Nov. 5 vs. UW-Whitewater, 2 p.m.	Nov. 6 vs. UW-River Falls, L 57-35
Nov. 12 at UW-River Falls, 1 p.m.	Nov. 13 at UW-Platteville, L 35-28

LAST TIME OUT: UW-STOUT: In the home opener, Stout went on to beat Crown College (0-4) with a score of 66-6. The Blue Devils broke a school record by scoring 66 points in the game. UW-Stout (2-1) scored 65 points against Waldorf University in a 65-7 win in 2004. The Blue Devils were led on the ground by Ben Tolkinen with 82 yards. Tolkinen also scored a rushing touchdown. Sean Borgerding led the passing attack going seven for eight with 83 yards and a touchdown. Parker Fossum led the receivers with 37 yards. Stout also tied the school rushing touchdown record with eight and Stout amassed 389 yards rushing by 10 different players. Chase Hughes scored two rushing TDs and eight different players scored a touchdown. Tokinen, Kopacz, Bates, Hughes and Waechter all scored their first collegiate TDs. Stout finished the game with 497 yards of total offense. Crown finished with 163 yards of total offense. The Blue Devils sacked Crown quarterback Elijah Odom, who played the entire game, three times.  |  Game Story and Stats

LAST TIME OUT: UW-EAU CLAIRE:  Despite a seven point halftime lead, Eau Claire came up short against Albion College, 28-20, Sept. 24 at Carson Park. The Blugold offense started hot as Eau Claire marched 68 yards on the opening drive to earn the game's first tally. A 17-yard touchdown pass from Harry Roubidoux to Nick Kudick on a right side out route gave UWEC the early lead. Harry Roubidoux finished the day with 26 completions and 335 passing yards. Nick Kudick led the receiving core with 84 receiving yards, with Isaac Garside and Joe Swanson recording 157 combined receiving yards. On the defensive side, Ryan Kuechle tallied ten total tackles. Jake Cochnauer, Noah Nephew and AJ Firminhac all recorded one sack and combined for 20 tackles, including four resulting in negative Albion yards.  |  Game Story and Stats

WHEN STOUT AND EAU CLAIRE LAST MET: What started out as a sprint, ended in a marathon as UW-Stout outlasted UW-Eau Claire 38-34 to win their sixth consecutive game over the Blugolds in the "War on 94" series Oct. 9, 2021, at Carson Park. In a game that saw nearly 300 yards of offense by each team and a combined 52 points in the first half alone came down to a game in the trenches and the Blue Devils' back-up tailback, Matt Pomietlo, would come up big. When this contest wrapped up, Stout finished with 421 yards of total offense, while the Blugolds finished with 439 yards of offense. Borgerding completed 16 of 28 passes for 282 yards and two TDs. Fossum finished with five catches for 125 yards. Hamer had five grabs for 85 yards and Cox had three receptions for 53 yards. Before he left the game, Graham had piled up 100 yards on the ground, his third 100-yard game of the season. With the two TDs, he ran his touchdowns to nine on the season at the midway point. Pomietlo rolled up 52 yards on 14 carries. Roubidoux completed 13 of 24 passes for 306 yards and three touchdowns. Jones had three catches for 112 yards and Swanson had four receptions for 91 yards. Austin Belot had 27 rushes for 128 yards. |  Story and Stats

THE SERIES: This will be the 100th meeting of the two teams and Eau Claire leads the series, 53-40-6. The series began in 1917, just a year after Eau Claire opened their doors, with Stout taking a 49-0 win in Menomonie. Stout has won the last six meetings in the War on I-94 series.  |  History 


A LOOK AT THE BLUE DEVILS: A well-rounded win over Crown College made a nice mark on the stats page for the Blue Devils. Now averaging 385.7 yards per game (197.7 passing, 188 rushing), the Blue Devils offense is looking good going into the opening week of WIAC play. The Blue Devils are averaging 6.0 yards per play. On the defensive end, Stout has allowed 352 per game (261 passing, 93 rushing). The Blue Devils have forced six turnover, four interceptions, and two fumble recoveries, and are posting a 29 percent third down conversion rate. | Complete 2022 Blue Devil preview | 2022 Statistics

THE PASSING GAME: Sean Borgerding has thrown 46 completions for 568 yards in the first three games of the season. On the receiving end of those passes have been Borgerding's favorite targets, Levy Hamer, Arthur Cox, Patrick Corcoran, and Parker Fossum. Hamer leads the corps with 203 yards and three touchdowns on 10 catches. Cox is right behind him with 158 yards and two touchdowns with 14 catches. Corcoran and Fossum have two receptions for 60 yards and eight receptions for 73 yards respectively.

THE RUNNING GAME: The game against Crown College was a big day for Stout's running game. The Blue Devils tied their previous record for most rushing touchdowns in a game with eight. Chase Hughes leads the way with two touchdown runs, followed by Ben Tolkinen, Jacob Kopacz, Carter Fonger, Josh Schlangen and JD Bates each having one. Tolkinen leads the team with 82 total yards. Fonger, Charlie Pierce, and Schlangen are all averaging over 10 yards a carry, having 27.0, 11.0, and 10.2 respectively.  Sean Borgerding has always been a dual threat and this season has carried the ball past the line of scrimmage eight times for a total of 82 yards. Borgerding has been sacked seven that have set him back 36 yards, resulting in his net running of 46 yards this season.

TOTAL OFFENSE: In the first three games of the 2022 season, Stout has recorded 1157 total yards, throwing for 593 yards and rushing for 564 yards.

DEFENSE: Cannon Griner and Mack Klafter  lead Stout in tackles, recording 19.0 and 18.0 respectively. Griner also has an interception and a forced fumble, both against Gustavus Adolphus. Klafter had made 4.5 tackles for a loss. Andrew Thompson and Dylan Larrabee each have 3.0 tackles for a loss. The Blue Devils also have applied pressure to opposing quarterbacks well. Wyatt Beyerl has recorded two sacks for a total loss of 24 yards. While Gervase Thomspon recorded a sack that resulted in a loss of 18 yards. Larrabee and Klafter are the other two Blue Devils with a point in the sack category. Quinton WIlliams and Drew Schneider each recorded a sack against Crown College. Williams also has two quarterback hurries. Klafter and Blake Siedl each have a forced fumble, and Carter Johnson has recorded two interceptions while Gabe Kramer has taken away one.

CLIMBING THE LADDER: A slower week for quarterback Sean Borgerding and wide receiver Levy Hamer as they only saw action in the first quarter in the blowout win against Crown College. Both of them still have their work cut out for them to reach the top of Stout's all-time leader board.

Borgerding, a three-time WIAC honorable mention selection, has completed 587 of 1048 passes for 7981 yards, with 72 touchdowns against only 32 interceptions. Borgerding's total passing yards is currently third on the all-time list, behind only Tim Peterson (8881 yds/1986-89) and Matt Bunyan (8562 yds/1995-98). His 72 touchdowns trail only Bunyan's 85. Last season, Borgerding completed 205 of 327 passes for 2872 with 29 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Only Bunyan (3230 yds, 1998/3221 yds, 1997) and Peterson (2956, 1989) have thrown more yards in a single season and only Bunyan (38 TDs, 1998/33 TDs, 1997) has thrown more touchdowns in a single season. 

Hamer, a second team all-region pick in 2021, has been a recipient of many of Borgerding's passes. Hamer is currently second on the Blue Devils' all-time receiving list, pulling in 188 passes for 3016 yards and 29 touchdowns. Hamer trails only Scott Frederickson (1986-89) in receptions and yards. Frederickson has 233 receptions for 3390 yards. Hamer currently holds the record for most career receiving touchdowns with 29, ahead of Frederickson with 26. Hamer is currently sixth on the all-time scoring list with 174 points, right behind Frederickson again who has 178. Running back Luke Bundgaard (2000-03) is the all-time scoring leader with 240 points. Hamer led the WIAC in receiving yards per game last year, averaging 96.2 yards over 10 games. Hamer was fourth in the WIAC in scoring with 74 points. 

SENIOR CAREER VS. UW-Eau Claire
Sean Borgerding - Passing: 48-84, 754 yards, 9 TD, 1 int
Levy Hamer - Receiving: 18 rec, 361 yards, 4 TD
Parker Fossum - Receiving: 7 rec, 153 yards, 2 TD


PRESEASON POLLS: The Blue Devils finished sixth in the competitive WIAC in 2021 and according to a preseason poll by WIAC football coaches and sports information directors, the Blue Devils are picked to finish sixth in 2022. UW-Whitewater is picked to finish first, UW-La Crosse second, UW-River Falls third, UW-Oshkosh fourth, UW-Platteville fifth, UW-Stout sixth, UW-Eau Claire seventh and UW-Stevens Point eighth.
 

WHO'S WHO: EAU CLAIRE:  Harry Roubidoux retakes his spot as the QB for the Blugolds. Roubidoux has thrown for 626 yards in the first three games on 53 for 103 passing and three interceptions. Roubidoux has thrown five touchdowns so far this season, four of them being to Nick Kudick. Kudick has 172 yards to go with his four touchdowns. Tommy Tankhamvang is the other Blugold with a touchdown reception. Joe Swanson and Isaac Garside each have 201 yards and 128 yards receiving respectively. Ivan Ruble leads the team in rushes, with 199 yards in 73 carries. Ruble, with two, Garside, and Roubidoux each have rushing touchdowns. On the defensive end, Ryan Kuechle, Noah Nephew, and Sam Schradler lead the way. Kuechle has recorded 28.0 tackles while Nephew and Schradler each have 19. AJ Firminhac is a dominant pass rusher, with 2.5 sacks. For takeaways, Jacob Wysocki and Brady Underwood each have a pick, and the Blugolds have recovered three fumbles. Eau Claire has recorded 917 yards of total offense (660 passing, 257 rushing) while allowing 1125 total yards (752 passing, 373 rushing). |  2022 Statistics

THE MATCHUP: Comparing the numbers:

UW-Stout	2022 WIAC Rankings		2022 WIAC Rankings	UWEC
31.3	4	PPG	6	21.0
19.3	4	Opp. PPG	8	28.7
197.7	6	Pass Yds	4	220.0
188.0	4	Rush Yds	8	85.7
385.7	4	Total Yds	6	305.7

PLAYERS OF THE WEEK: 
Week Three: Offensive player of the week: Ben Tolkinen, Fr, Minnetonka, Minn.  Defensive player of the week: Quinton Williams, Fr, Webster, Texas (Clear Lake); Special teams athlete of the week: Luke Cool, So, Franklin, Wis.; Lineman of the week: Jacob Foss, Jr, Eden Prairie, Minn.; Offensive scout team athlete of the week: Tucker Haakonson, Fr, St. Cloud, Minn. (Ricori); Defensive scout team athlete of the week: Blaine Seidl, Fr, Medford, Wis.

Week Two: Offensive player of the week: Levy Hamer, Sr, Chicago, Ill. (St. Laurance) Defensive players of the week: Cannon Griner, Jr, Mesa, Ariz. (Red Mountain) |  Mack Klafter, Jr, Mesa, Ariz. (Red Mountain); Special teams athlete of the week: Ben Karls, Fr, Hudson, Wis.; Lineman of the week: Luke Parczyk, So, White Bear Lake, Minn.; Offensive scout team athlete of the week: TJ Scott, Fr, Dayton, Minn (Champlin Park); Defensive scout team athlete of the week: Andrew Beine, So, Slinger, Wis. 

Week One:  Offensive player of the week: Arthur Cox, Sr, Dixon, Ill. Defensive player of the week: Nick Arguedas, Sr, Waterville, Minn. (New Prague) |  Nate Rewald, So, Lino Lakes, Minn. (Mounds View); Special teams athlete of the week: Patrick Corcoran, So, Mindoro, Wis. (Melrose-Mindoro); Lineman of the week: Jacob Foss, Jr, Eden Prairie, Minn; Offensive scout team athlete of the week: Ben Tolkinen, Fr, Minnetonka, Minn.; Defensive scout team athlete of the week: Grant Lindell, So, Mosinee, Wis.


TEAM CAPTAINS: Captains for the 2022 season are: quarterback Sean Borgerding (Sr, Spring Valley), wide receiver Levy Hamer (Sr, Chicago), defensive back Mason Priebe (Jr, Menasha) and defensive back Cannon Griner (Jr, Mesa, Ariz). 


RANKED OPPONENTS: The WIAC is filled with nationally ranked opponents, with four teams in the top 25 of the 2022 D3football.com preseason poll and Stout in the receiving votes category. In the opening poll released July 26, UW-Whitewater was ranked fourth (Nov. 5), UW-La Crosse 12th (Oct. 8), UW-River Falls 18th (Nov. 12) and UW-Oshkosh 19th (Oct. 22). Stout will open the season at Wartburg College, Saturday, Sept. 10, and follow that up at Gustavus Adolphus College the following week, Saturday, Sept. 17. The Knights received seven votes and the Gusties six votes. The only teams that Stout faces that did no appear on the preseason poll are: Crown College (Sept. 24), UW-Eau Claire (Oct. 1), UW-Stevens Point (Oct. 15) and UW-Platteville (Oct. 29). 
 

THE COACHES: UW-Stout: Clayt Birmingham (47-64) is in his 13th season in 2022 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-Eau Claire: Wesley Beschorner (7-16) is in his third season as head coach of the UW-Eau Claire football team in 2021. 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 16th season with the Blue Devils and 10th as defensive coordinator.  Tarek Yaeggi is in his third year as a Blue Devil assistant coach and took over as offensive coordinator with the 2022 season. Derek Branch is in his ninth season with the Blue Devils. An all-conference offensive lineman with the Blue Devils during his playing years, Branch will continue to work with the offensive line. Jake Schiff begins his seventh 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.  Jed Stutzman is in his 10th 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. Mark Thomas is in his 31th season on the Blue Devils' gridiron, and will work with the outside linebackers during the 2022 season. After an all-conference and all-region career as a Blue Devil punter, Clark Riedel is in his fifth 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 was fifth in league play in 2019 and the Blue Devils were picked to finish fifth in a WIAC preseason poll released in late August.

SCHOLAR-ATHLETE: Quarterback Sean Borgerding has been selected as a 2022 National Football Foundation (NFF) scholar-athlete and will be a semi-finalist for the Campbell Trophy.

SEASON HONORS: 2022: Kicker Luke Cool was the WIAC special teams athlete of the week and the UW-Stout athlete of the week after kicking nine extra points vs. Crown College, and Quinton Williams was the WIAC defensive athlete of the week...Wide receiver Levy Hamer was the WIAC offensive player of the week and safety Cannon Griner was the WIAC defensive player of the week after leading Stout to a 28-25 come-from-behind win over Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 17, in St. Peter, Minn. Hamer was also named to the D3football.com Team of the Week...Wide receiver Levy Hamer was selected as a second team Preseason All-America by D3football.com after hauling in 12 touchdown passes and collecting 962 total receiving yards. 

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
28 comp, 49 att, 358 yards, 5 TDs vs UW-River Falls, Nov. 6, 2021
28 comp, 44 att, 343 yards, 1 TD vs UW-Whitewater, Oct. 2, 2021
20 comp, 29 att, 341 yards, 4 TDs vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021
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
18 comp, 23 att, 323 yards, 4 TDs vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021
23 comp, 37 att, 315 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018
16 comp, 37 att, 299 yards, 4 TD vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 17, 2022
24 comp, 35 att, 295 yards, 4 TD vs UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 30, 2021
19 comp,37 att, 290 yards, 3 TDs vs UW-Platteville, Nov. 13, 2021
25 comp, 42 att, 287 yards, 3 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019
16 comp, 28 att, 282 yards, 2 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021
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
17 comp, 28 att, 239 yards, 5 TDs vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 16, 2019
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
17 comp, 26 att, 226 yards, 3 TDs vs. UW-Stevens Point, Sept. 18, 2021
18 comp, 23 att, 218 yards, 2 TDs vs. St. Norbert College, Sept. 11, 2021
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
17 comp, 33 att, 205 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2021
23 comp, 44 att, 186 yards, vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 10, 2022
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
Mitch Waechter - Passing
3 comp, 5 att, 25 yards, vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
2 comp, 4 att, 22 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 2, 2021
Sean Borgerding - Rushing
21 carries, 149 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 26, 2019
Matt Pomietlo - Rushing
26 carries, 154 yards, 1 TD vs UW-Platteville, Nov. 13, 2021
17 carries, 116 yards, 1 TD vs UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 30, 2021
16 carries, 71 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2021
16 carries, 59 yards vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021
14 carries, 53 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021
Carter Fonger - Rushing
2 carries, 54 yards, 1 TD vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
9 carries, 47 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2021
Chase Hughes - Rushing
5 carries, 22 yards, 2 TDs vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
Ben Tolkinen - Rushing
9 carries, 82 yards, 1 TD vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
Jacob Kopacz - Rushing
5 carries, 64 yards, 1 TD vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
Josh Schlangen - Rushing
5 carries, 51 yards, 1 TD vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
JD Bates - Rushing
8 carries, 48 yards, 1 TD vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
Colin Smith - Rushing
7 carries, 36 yards, vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
Mitch Waechter - Rushing
3 carries, 21 yards, 1 TD vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
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
11 receptions, 161 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 30, 2021
5 receptions, 160 yards, 3 TDs vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 17, 2022
4 receptions, 152 yards, 2 TDs vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021
9 receptions, 143 yards, 1 TD, vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 3, 2018
4 receptions, 143 yards, 2 TDs, vs. California Lutheran, Sept. 22, 2018
7 receptions, 140 yards, 2 TDs, vs UW-Platteville, Nov. 13, 2021
8 receptions, 138 yards, 1 TD, vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 14, 2019
6 receptions, 124 yards, 1 TD vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021
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
4 receptions, 99 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 16, 2019
5 receptions, 90 yards, 2 TDs vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2021
9 receptions, 89 yards vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 6, 2018
4 receptions, 88 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 5, 2019
5 receptions, 85 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021
7 receptions, 80 yards vs. St. John's University, Sept. 1, 2018
8 receptions, 77 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 27, 2018
6 receptions, 74 yards, 1 TD vs UW-River Falls, Nov. 6, 2021
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
Parker Fossum - Receiving
5 receptions, 125 yards, 1 TD vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021
8 receptions, 98 yards, 1 TD vs UW-Platteville, Nov. 13, 2021
7 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD vs. St. Norbert College, Sept. 11, 2021
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
4 receptions, 64 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2021
Robvon Jackson - Receiving
2 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021
Arthur Cox - Receiving
6 receptions, 167 yards, 2 TDs vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021
7 receptions, 116 yards, 1 TD vs UW-River Falls, Nov. 6, 2021
8 receptions, 81 yards, vs. Wartburg College, Sept. 10, 2022
9 receptions, 76 yards vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct. 2, 2021
5 receptions, 59 yards, 1 TD vs. Gustavus Adolphus, Sept. 17, 2022
3 receptions, 53 yards, vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021
2 receptions, 52 yards, vs. St. Norbert College, Sept. 11, 2021
4 receptions, 37 yards, vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021
Bradley Sarauer - Receiving
4 receptions, 28 yards vs. UW-Stevens Point, Oct. 16, 2021
4 receptions, 26 yards, vs. UW-Stevens Point, Sept. 18, 2021
Patrick Corcoran - Receiving
4 receptions, 95 yards, TD vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct 2, 2021
Matt Pomietlo - Receiving
5 receptions, 22 yards, 2 TDs vs UW-River Falls, Nov. 6, 2021

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
83 - Matt Urmanski to Josh Cisewski (UW-Stevens Point), Oct. 26, 2019
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
52 - Jack Meyer (UW-Stout), Sept. 11, 2021
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
247 - Luke Fugate (UW-River Falls), Nov. 6, 2021
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
358 - Sean Borgerding (UW-Stout), Nov. 6, 2021
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
358 - Sean Borgerding vs UW-River Falls, Nov. 6, 2021 (28 comps, 49 att, 5 TD)
341 - Sean Borgerding vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021 (20 comps, 29 att, 4 TD)
343 - Sean Borgerding vs UW-Whitewater, Oct 2, 2021 (28 comps, 44 att, 1 TD)
323 - Sean Borgerding vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021 (18 comp, 23 att, 4 TD)
334 - Sean Borgerding vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 19, 2019 (20 comp, 37 att, 4 TD)
381 - Sean Borgerding vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 12, 2019 (27 comp, 53 att, 2 TD)
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)
250 - Craig Warminski vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 25, 2008 (28 carries, 4 TD)
Ran for 100-199 yards
154 - Matt Pomietlo vs UW-Platteville, Nov. 13, 2021 (26 carries, 1 TD)
100 - Rayshawn Graham vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021 (18 carries, 2 TD)
199 - Rayshawn Graham vs. UW-Stevens Point, Sept 18, 2021 (20 carries, 3 TD)
111 - Rayshawn Graham vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021 (20 carries, 2 TD)
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
161 - Levy Hamer vs UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 30, 2021 (161 yards, 11 rec, 2 TD)
167 - Arthur Cox vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021 (167 yards, 6 rec, 2 TD)
152 - Levy Hamer vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021 (152 yards, 4 rec, 2 TD)
189 - Levy Hamer vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 12, 2019 (189 yards, 1TD)
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
11- Levy Hamer vs UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 30, 2021 (161 yards, 2TD)
10 - Levy Hamer vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 12, 2019 (189 yards, 1TD)
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 - Rayshawn Graham vs UW-Stevens Point, Sept 18, 2021 (20 carries, 199 yds)
3 - Brian Alvarez vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 17, 2015 (10 rec, 159 yds)
3 - Aaron Jenny vs. Loras College, Sept. 13, 2014 (8 rec, 107 yds)
Scored 7 touchdowns in the opening three games
7 - Rayshawn Graham vs Presentation (2), vs. St. Norbert (2) vs. UW-Stevens Point (3), 2021
Recorded four interceptions in a single game
4 - Roger Zell vs. River Falls, Nov. 8, 1969
4 - Roger Zell vs. Oshkosh, Sept. 27, 1969
4 - Paul Christopherson vs. Superior, Nov. 3, 1951
Recorded three interceptions in a single game
3 - Jed Schlegel vs. UW-Eau Claire, Nov. 16, 2019
3 - Steve Anderson vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 15, 2003
3 - Eric Moe vs. UW-Oshkosh, Oct. 12, 2002
3 - Eric Lund vs. UW-Platteville, Oct. 21, 2000
3 - Kevin Dewey vs. UW-La Crosse, Oct. 14, 2000
Recorded two 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 - Jack Meyer vs. UW-Eau Claire, Oct. 9, 2021
52 - Jack Meyer vs. St. Norbert College, Sept. 11, 2021 (just before halftime)
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 (blocked by Ben Dallman, pitched to Aizupura) vs. UW-Platteville, Nov. 4,1995

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
497 - vs. Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
477 - vs. UW-Stevens Point, Sept. 18, 2021
482 - vs. Presentation College, Sept. 4, 2021
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
431 - vs UW-La Crosse, Oct. 23, 2021
370 - vs. UW-Whitewater, Oct 2, 2021
357 - vs. UW-River Falls, Oct. 24, 2015
418 - at Loras College, Sept. 12, 2015

Recorded 250-plus yards of rushing
389 - vs Crown College, Sept. 24, 2022
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



PROMOTIONS PLANNED FOR 2022: The Blue Devils will host  Community Day Saturday, Sept. 24 when the Blue Devils play Crown College. The game is sponsored by Culver's. Parent's Day will be Saturday, Oct. 1 when the Blue Devils host UW-Eau Claire. Saturday, Oct. 8 when the Blue Devils host UW-La Crosse, Stout will celebrate Homecoming and the Hall of Fame inductees. The Homecoming game will be sponsored by Bob and Steve's BP Amoco. Heroes in Uniform Day will be Saturday, Oct. 29 when UW-Platteville comes to town, and Saturday, Nov. 5 when they Blue Devils host UW-Whitewater will be Senior Day.  The Nov. 5 game is sponsored by WESTconsin Credit Union. 

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.

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: It's Homecoming Week when Stout host UW-La Crosse, Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1 p.m. Eight Blue Devil greats will be inducted into the UW-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame later that same day.


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COACH BIRMINGHAM AS A POINTER: (Updated Oct. 18, 2021) UW-Stout coach Clayt Birmingham was a four-year regular in the defensive backfield during his playing days with the Pointers. Birmingham was a two-time All-Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) defensive back at UW-Stevens Point (1995, 1994). In 1994, Birmingham was the WIAC interceptions co-leader. So we had to dig into the files to find out how Coach Birmingham fared against the Blue Devils. On Oct. 22, 1994 on Nelson Field in Menomonie, as Stout was driving for a TD, Birmingham stepped in front of a Forrest Schneider pass in the end zone to end the threat. On Oct. 23, 1993 in Stevens Point, Birmingham recorded a five-yard sack. As a player, Birmingham's Pointers did not lose to Stout in his four years. As a coach, Birmingham is 8-4 against his alma mater, including a 45-14 non-conference earlier this season.

NOTE FOR 2022: Sean Borgerding has never thrown for less than 300 yards against UW-La Crosse.