MENOMONIE — The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic football team (4-3, 2-2 WIAC) rallied from a 21-3 first-quarter deficit to defeat No. 20 UW-La Crosse (3-4, 2-2 WIAC) 42-39 Saturday at Don & Nona Williams Stadium. The victory marked the Blue Devils' first win over the Eagles since the 2011 season.

UW-La Crosse took an early 21-3 lead in the opening quarter, scoring touchdowns on three of its first four possessions. UW-Stout got on the scoreboard with a 45-yard field goal by Garrison Jackman, but the Eagles answered with a 63-yard touchdown reception to build their 18-point advantage.

The Blue Devils began chipping away in the second quarter. Chase Pemberton connected with Keon Maggitt for a 12-yard touchdown, and Jackman added a 38-yard field goal to bring Stout closer. The Blue Devil defense also delivered a key stop, turning away the Eagles on fourth-and-1 at the Stout 4-yard line and holding them to a field goal. Stout went into halftime trailing 24-13.

Stout came out of the break with its strongest stretch of the game, scoring 22 points in the third quarter. Pemberton capped a 75-yard drive with an 11-yard touchdown run to cut into the deficit. The Blue Devils then forced a turnover when Carson Tait knocked the ball loose and Garet Rivord recovered the fumble. Stout turned the takeaway into points, with Pemberton scoring on a 1-yard run to give the Blue Devils their first lead at 28-24.

UW-La Crosse answered with a 40-yard touchdown pass to reclaim the lead, 31-28, but Stout responded again. Pemberton connected with Joey Tumilty for a 33-yard touchdown, putting the Blue Devils back in front 35-31 heading into the fourth quarter.

UW-Stout added to its lead with 6:23 remaining when Pemberton found Jojo James for a 25-yard touchdown pass, extending the advantage to 42-31. The Eagles responded with a touchdown and a successful two-point conversion to make it a three-point game at 42-39.

After Stout was forced to punt, UW-La Crosse took possession with 2:17 remaining and moved into Blue Devil territory. Stout's defense came up with a critical third-down stop as Dre Bournes recorded a 10-yard sack. The Eagles' fourth-down pass then fell incomplete at the Stout 29-yard line with 1:43 left, allowing the Blue Devils to take over and run out the clock.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS
Stout finished with 443 yards of total offense, including 261 passing yards and 182 rushing yards. Pemberton completed 15 of 27 passes for 261 yards and three touchdowns while rushing for 82 yards and two scores.

Maggitt led the Blue Devils with four receptions for 86 yards and a touchdown. James caught three passes for 49 yards and a score, while Tumilty added a 33-yard touchdown reception.

Jackman connected on both field-goal attempts, including a 45-yarder, and converted all four of his point-after attempts. Dawson Goodman led the Stout defense with 10 tackles. Tait recorded a forced fumble, which Rivord recovered, and Bournes delivered the key late sack to help seal the win.

UP NEXT
Stout travels to River Falls, Wis., to face UW-River Falls on Saturday, Oct. 31. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Ramer Field.