Blue Devils Rally Falls Short in 45-40 Loss at No 13 UW-La Crosse

LA CROSSE - The UW-Stout Blue Devils (2-2, 0-1) scored 20 unanswered points in the fourth quarter but fell 45-40 to No. 13 UW-La Crosse (3-1, 1-0) Saturday afternoon,

The Blue Devils scored three touchdowns in a six minute span late in the fourth quarter, but were unable to recover a second onside kick attempt as La Crosse avoided a fourth quarter collapse to take the WIAC opener. 

The Eagles scored on their first two possessions to take a 14-0 lead mid way through the first quarter. Stout responded with an eight play 70 yard drives caped off with backup quarterback Adam Moen finding fullback Raith Bauer for a 16 yard score to cut the lead in half. The teams would trade punts until Mitch Waechter found Arthur Cox for a 23 yard touchdown reception to tie the game with 4:54 left in the second quarter. However the Eagles would need just 34 seconds to retake the lead, thanks to a 77 yard touchdown pass on second and 20 to give UWL the lead. Stout would go three and out on their next possession and UWL take a 28-14 lead with 90 seconds left in the half thanks to a 6 play 63 yard drive. A short kickoff would give Stout good field position and the Blue Devils worked the hurry up offense to put Luke Cool in position to kick a 28 yard field goal just before halftime. 

On the Blue Devils second possession of the second half, they were able to move the ball into the redzone, but they couldn't punch the ball in and a 28 yard Cool field goal made it a one possession game at 28-20. 

UWL scored on another 77 yard touchdown pass to extend the ead to 35-20

La Crosse looked to score again on a long run but Dawson Goodman forced a fumble that went out of the end zone for a touchback. 

UWL opened the fourth quarter with another score to take a 42-20 lead. Three plays later they intercepted Waechter's pass and returned it to the Stout 16 yard line. The Blue Devils held the Eagles to just a field goal and UWL lead 45-20 with 10:36 left to play. 

Stout wasted no time scoring, moving the ball 75 yards in six plays in just 1:45 when Waechter connected with Will Knutson for a 19 yard score to cut the lead to 45-27. 

Stout forced another UWL punt and scored again with a 11 play 80 yard drive capped off with a 22 yard pass from Waechter to Patrick Cocoran and the Blue Devils trailed 45-34 with 2:28 to play. 

The Blue Devils recovered the onside kick and two plays later Knutson scored his second touchdown of the day this time form 20 yards out. Stout failed on teh 2-point conversion and lined up for another onside kick try, but were unable to recover and UWL kneeled down to end the game. 

Waechter finished 24-43 with four touchdowns and an interception. Both Waechter and Matt Pomietlo rushed for 100 yards. Will Knutson had a career-high 84 yards receiving and two scores. 

The Blue Devils totaled 523 yards of offense while the Eagles totaled 550. Both teams threw for 299 yards. 

NOTES
The 40 points were the most points the Blue Devils have scored in a loss since they scored 43 in a 45-43 loss to UW-Whitewater on Oct. 31, 1998. 
Stout was penalized eight time for 87 yards while UWL committed 14 penalties for 141 yards.
Stout averaged 6.8 yards per rush and UWL averaged 6.3 yards. 

UP NEXT 
The Blue Devils will host UW-Oshkosh next Saturday, Oct 7. Kickoff from Don & Nona Williams Stadium is set for 2 p.m.