SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – The Blue Devils fell 35-32 to Wheaton College in the fourth annual Culver's Isthmus Bowl at Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium Saturday afternoon.
The Blue Devils (6-5) late comeback to overcome a 28-point first half deficit fell short as Wheaton College (9-2) held on for a 35-32 win.
Wheaton took the opening drive 88 yards on 13 plays, taking nearly seven minutes off the clock to go up 7-0. The Thunder tried an onside kick that failed to set Stout up on the Wheaton 40. But Stout turned it over on downs and big pass play gave Wheaton a 14-0 lead with 2:43 left in the first. Stout went three and out and the Thunder quickly drove 76 yards in five plays to extend their lead to 21-0.
Anther Blue Devil three and out and quick drive by Wheaton gave the Thunder a 28-0 lead with 8:05 left in the second quarter.
The Stout offense got a big 40-yard pass and catch from
Adam Moen to
Patrick Corcoran to spark at nine play 78-yard drive by the Blue Devils. Moen ran in from two yards out to put Stout on the board with 3:34 left until halftime.
Wheaton's ensuing 11 play drive stalled out at the Blue Devil 20 and the Thunder turned it over on Downs. Stout took over with 40 seconds left in the half and two big pass plays to Corcoran set up
Luke Cool to make is NCAA Division III leading 21
st field goal of the season, from 38 yards out as the half expired.
Stout's first drive of the second half stalled out around midfield as the Thunder recovered a fumble. But two plays later Wheaton fumbled the ball right back to Stout,
Nick Mohs jumped on the loose ball at the Wheaton 26.
The Blue Devils forced to try and long 51-yard field goal, which was blocked, and Wheaton took over on their own 34. The Thunder again turned the ball over on downs near midfield a 31-yard reception by Corcoran set up an 11-yard touchdown by
Raith Bauer to pull Stout with 11 at 28-17 with 4:17 left in the third.
Stout force another Wheaton fumble and
Matt Blank recovered at midfield. Stout couldn't convert and was forced to punt. Stout forced a Thunder punt and Stout took over near the End of the third quarter. Moen found
Carter Zezulka for a 21-yard gain to set up a two-yard touchdown catch by
Zach Dewhurst. The two-point conversion attempt failed, and Stout trailed 29-23 with 11:21 left in regulation.
Wheaton responded with a five play 70-yard drive to push their lead back to double digits at 35-23.
Stout's 11 play drive stalled at the seven-yard line and Wheaton took over on downs. The Thunder fumbled and was nearly recovered for a Blue Devil touchdown, but the ball went out of bounds for a safety to bring Stout within 10 and give them the ball back with 4:33 to play.
Wheaton thought they sealed the game on an 85-yard pick-six, but the play was called back due to a personal foul penalty. Stout took advantage and four plays later Zezulka scored on a six-yard catch to bring Stout within three.
Wheaton recovered the Blue Devils onside kick, and they were able to run out the clock to seal the win.
Stout totaled 354 yards of offense.
Adam Moen finished 25-46 for 289 yard and three touchdowns. He also rushed for 20 yards and score.
Patrick Corcoran made 11 catches for 168 yards.
Braxton Munnikhuysen and
Brooks Brewer made eight tackles each for Stout. Munnikhuysen added a sack.
