MENOMONIE – The UW-Stout Blue Devils kicked off the 2025 season with a high-scoring 38-35 thriller over the University of Dubuque that came down to the wire on Saturday, Sept. 6, at Don & Nona Williams Stadium.
The afternoon was defined by seven lead changes, with both teams trading blows in a high-octane offensive showcase. Dubuque struck first, capitalizing on a 75-yard, 10-play drive with Joey Rhomberg's 18-yard touchdown pass to Kali Freeman at 11:37 of the first quarter, taking a 7-0 lead. Stout responded swiftly, marching 66 yards in six plays, capped by
Adam Moen's 29-yard touchdown strike to
Avron Carter, tying it at 7-7 with 5:24 remaining in the opening frame.
The second quarter turned into a special teams spectacle for Stout. Moen plunged in from 1 yard out at 12:01 to give Stout a 14-7 edge, followed by
Brooks Brewer's electrifying 66-yard interception return for a touchdown at 8:36, pushing the lead to 21-7. Dubuque clawed back with Rhomberg's 31-yard touchdown pass to Matthew Glennon at 7:23, but
Jojo James stole the show with a jaw-dropping 96-yard kickoff return touchdown just 20 seconds later, extending Stout's advantage to 28-14. Rhomberg answered with an 8-yard score to Freeman right before halftime, narrowing it to 28-21.
The third quarter saw momentum shift dramatically. Stout's
Garrison Jackman drilled a 30-yard field goal at 11:36 to make it 31-21, but Dubuque roared back. Rhomberg hit Freeman for a 30-yard touchdown at 8:17, and Caden Stimmel's 47-yard interception return for a score 16 seconds later gave the Spartans a 35-31 lead. A missed 41-yard field goal by Pato Marvite at 1:52 kept Stout in the game.
In the fourth, Stout seized control. Facing a four-point deficit, the Blue Devils engineered an 8-play, 76-yard drive, culminating in
Chandler Ross' 7-yard touchdown run at 13:08, with Jackman's extra point putting Stout ahead 38-35. The defense then held firm, forcing a three-and-out, and
Hunter Scafe's late interception sealed the victory as Stout ran out the clock.
Standout Performances
Offense: Moen was a dual threat, throwing for 232 yards and a touchdown on 20-of-38 passing while rushing for 56 yards and a score. Ross added 55 rushing yards and the game-winner, while Carter hauled in eight catches for 106 yards and a touchdown. For Dubuque, Rhomberg threw for 306 yards and four touchdowns on 26-of-44 passing (four interceptions), with Freeman catching nine passes for 128 yards and three scores.
Defense: Stout's unit forced four interceptions, with Brewer's 66-yard pick-six and Scafe's clutch grab standing out.
Blaine Seidl led with seven tackles and a pick, and
Braxton Munnikhuysen added six stops and a forced fumble. Dubuque's Davien Flentroy recorded 10 tackles and an interception.
Special Teams: James' 96-yard kickoff return touchdown was a game-changer, and Jackman was flawless, going 5-for-5 on PATs and 1-for-1 on field goals.
Statistical Snapshot
Stout outrushed Dubuque 135-65, holding the ball for 35:15 compared to 24:45, and converted 5-of-15 third downs. Dubuque led in passing (306 yards) and total offense (371 yards to Stout's 367), but Stout's 175 kickoff return yards. The team combined for 20 penalties, totaling 223 yards.
Looking Ahead
The Blue Devils will welcome Wartburg College to town next Saturday, Sept. 13. For a 1 p.m. kickoff on senior day with the Knights at Don and Nona Williams Stadium
