Blue Devil Football Wins Season Opener 35-7

DAVENPORT, Iowa - Mitch Waechter threw four touchdown passes to lead UW-Stout (1-0) to a 35-7 season opening win over St. Ambrose (0-2) Saturday afternoon.

Making his first collegiate start, junior quarterback Mitch Waechter was 19-29 for 281 yards and four scores as the Blue Devils rolled to a big win to start the 2023 campaign. 

The Blue Devils wasted no time thanks to big plays on both sides of the ball. On St. Ambrose's fourth play from scrimmage Gervase Thompson intercepted the SAU's Tom Casey's pass and returned in 11 yards to the Ambrose 48 yard line. Waechter's first pass attempt of the day found Arthur Cox for 46 yards to set the Blue Devils up first-and-goal from the two-yard line. Senior running back Matt Pomietlo, making his first appearance since suffering an injury in week two last season, scored on the next play and less than three minutes into the season Stout lead 7-0. 

SAU started to move the ball on their second possession, driving into Stout territory, but Casey's pass was intercepted at the one-yard line by Mason Preibe to end any threat that the Bee's were building. After trading punts, Stout regained possession at midfield, but two plays in fumbled the ball back to SAU. Two plays later, a high snap was recovered by Gabe Kramer at the SAU 21-yard line for a loss of 37 yards. Stout wasted no time taking advantage of SAU's third turnover of the quarter with Waechter finding Arthur Cox alone in the end zone to double the lead to 14-0. 

SAU responded with a 10-play 75 yard drive to trim the back to seven at 14-7. The Bees pinned Stout deep with a punt down to the 2-yard line, but Waechter and the Blue Devils were able to move the shadow of their own end zone and a few plays later he found a wide-open Patrick Corcoran streaking down the middle for a 66-yard touchdown strike and Stout pushed the lad back to 14. 

The ensuing kickoff was short and took a strange bounce allowing the Blue Devils to fall on the loose ball and setting the offense back up with great field position. Stout was unable to capitalize lead at the half 21-7. 

Stout took the opening drive of the second half and marched down the field, going 75 yards in nine plays, capped off with fullback Raith Bauer scoring his first career touchdown on a 7-yard catch. 

Stout forced another fumble on the next SAU possession, stout's fourth takeaway of the afternoon, when Drew Hollister forced and recovered a fumble near midfield. The Blue Devils cashed in off the turnover with Waechter finding Cox for their second scoring connection of the game to build the lead to 35-7.

Defensively Stout forced the four turnovers and held SAU to 206 total yards. Mason Preibe, Wyatt Beyerl and Nate Williamson each had five tackles apiece. Beyerl had three tackles for loss and a sack. 

LEADERS

• Mitch Waechter threw for 281 yards on 19-29 passing 4TD and INT for the Blue Devils
• Quarterbacks Tom Casey (8-11 70yards 2 INT) and Joey Sprinkle (6-11 64 yards 1TD) split time under center for SAU. 
• Arthur Cox led all receivers with five catches for 83 yards and two scores.Patrick Corcoran had two catches for 73 yards
• Yemi Yard caught five passes for 61 yards and a score for SAU.
• Matt Pomietlo rushed the ball eight tie for 27 yards and a score.
• Kaden King rushed for 55 yards on 16 carries for SAU.

NOTES

• Waecher completed passes to 10 different receivers. 
• Ben Karls had two punts of 50 plus yards today, last season he had three.
• SAU committed nine penalties for 91 yards.
• Stout held SAU to 72 rushing yards on 44 attempts
• Stout was 47 percent on third down (7-15)

UP NEXT
The Blue Devils return home  next weekend to host Dickinson State University (N.D.) on Sept. 9. Kick off from Don and Nona WIlliams Stadium is set for 1 p.m.