MENOMONIE (October 14, 2023) - At Don and Nona Williams Stadium for UW-Stout's homecoming, the Blue Devils got back on the winning side defeating the Pointers 51-14. UW-Stout (3-3, 1-2 WIAC) scored the most points this year to cap off their homecoming day.
The first possession in the game went to UW-Stevens Point (1-5, 0-3 WIAC) and the Blue Devil defense stood tall to start the game to force a three and out.
On the Blue Devil's first possession,
Mitch Waechter threw a screen pass to
Patrick Corcoran and Corcoran went 31 yards for the first touchdown of the game to put Stout up 7-0.
On the next possession for the Pointers, Stevens Point was driving down the field to score, but a sack fumble recovered by
Gervase Thompson stopped the Pointer drive.
With 5:59 left in the first quarter, Blue Devil's Waechter threw a pass to
Will Knutson for a touchdown to make the game 14-0.
The second quarter saw a total of 38 points by both teams. To start the second quarter, Stout's
Luke Cool kicked a 34 yard field goal into the wind to make the game 17-0.
But three plays later, Stevens Point's Jacob Leair threw a pass in the middle and Miles Gallagher ran in a 71 yard touchdown reception to get on the scoreboard.
The first play after the Pointer touchdown, Stout's
Dylan Nelson ran for 74 yards and was downed on the one yard line. After the long run, Nelson found the endzone to have the Blue Devils lead 24-7.
After the Stout touchdown, the Pointers fumbled the ball on the kickoff and was recovered by Stout. With 11:22 left in the half, Waechter found Corcoran for a touchdown to make the game 31-7.
But Stevens Point would not back down. The Pointer's Gallagher caught another pass from Leair and scored for a 56 yard pass. On the next play, the Blue Devils threw an interception in the middle of the field.
The Pointers were driving in Stout's territory, but the Blue Devils stopped Stevens Point on fourth down on their own 23 yard line.
With 1:42 left in the half, Stout's Knutson took an end around on the six line and went into the end zone untouched to go into half with a 38-14 lead.
Both teams came out of halftime with a three and out possession.
During the third quarter, Stout's
Luke Cool had two field goals, one at 33 yards, the other one at 37 yards. Cool also tried a 43 yard field goal, but was blocked by the Pointers with 16 seconds left in the third quarter.
The fourth quarter saw only one touchdown when Stout's
Adam Moen found
Carter Zezulka in the back of the endzone on a fourth and 14 play. The touchdown was Zezulka's first career catch as a Blue Devil to make the score 51-14.
The Blue Devil's air attack was led by
Mitch Waechter with 291 yards passing and adding three touchdowns.
Adam Moen relieved Waechter and had 65 yards and a touchdown. Pointer's Jake Leair finished the game with 202 yards passing including two touchdowns.
On the ground, Blue Devil's
Dylan Nelson finished the game with seven carries and 89 yards rushing, including a touchdown.
Carter Fonger also had 49 yards rushing. Pointer's Brycen Cashin led Stevens Point with 31 yards rushing.
Stout's
Will Knutson finished with 116 yards receiving including three total touchdowns with two receiving and one on the ground.
Ben Karls had 75 yards receiving on five catches.
Patrick Corcoran finished with four catches for 67 yards. Pointer's Miles Gallagher had five catches for 156 yards receiving.
The Blue Devil's defense held the Pointer's to just 29 yards rushing and 252 total offense.
Richie Murphy led Stout in tackles with six total tackles.
Up next for the Blue Devils is an away matchup with #7 UW-Whitewater on October 21 with game time set at 2:00 p.m.
