MENOMONIE — The University of Wisconsin-Stout football team fell to the fourth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville 31-27 Saturday at Don & Nona Williams Stadium. The Blue Devils rallied from a 21-0 deficit early in the second quarter to pull within four-points late in the fourth quarter. Stout finished with 362 total yards, including 291 passing yards, converted 8 of 13 third downs and scored on all four of its red-zone trips.
Platteville controlled the opening quarter, holding the ball for 13:16 and converting all four of its third-down opportunities. The Pioneers were 10-10 passing for 111 yards on their opening two drives, with Nathan Uselding connecting with Blake Bangtson on a 20-yard touchdown pass to cap a 10-play, 75-yard drive and give Platteville a 7-0 lead.
The Pioneers extended their lead to 14-0 early in the second quarter when a Stout fumble was returned 22 yards for a touchdown. The Pioneers extened the lead to 21 on a five yard score with 4 and a half minutes to play in the half. The Blue Devils responded with their first sustained scoring drive of the game, moving 75 yards on 11 plays before
Chase Pemberton connected with
Avron Carter for an 8-yard touchdown pass to cut the deficit to 21-7. Stout forced a Pioneer punt with just over a minute left, but a 21-yard pick-six pushed the lead back to 28-7.
The Blue Devils came out of halftime with a different look. Stout scored on both of its third-quarter possessions, beginning with a 1-yard touchdown run by Pemberton before he connected with
Davonte Evans on a 7-yard touchdown pass. The Blue Devils converted all four of their third-down opportunities in the quarter, while the defense held Platteville to 17 rushing yards and 30 passing yards. The two scores cut the deficit to 28-21 heading into the fourth quarter.
UW-Platteville added a 25-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it 31-21. Stout put together a 65-yard, nine-play touchdown drive late in the quarter, capped by Pemberton's 3-yard touchdown pass to
Joey Tumilty with 1:20 remaining. The extra-point attempt was blocked, leaving the Pioneers with a 31-27 lead. Stout attempted an onside kick but UW-Platteville recovered and ran out the clock to secure the victory.
Pemberton completed 33 of 44 passes for 291 yards and three touchdowns while adding 34 rushing yards and a touchdown. Carter caught five passes for 61 yards and a touchdown, while
Jojo James had a team-high 10 receptions for 47 yards and added 20 rushing yards.
Dawson Goodman led the Blue Devils defensively with 10 tackles and an interception.
Up next, the Blue Devils travel to Stevens Point, Wis., to face UW-Stevens Point Saturday, Oct. 10. Kickoff is set for 1:05 p.m. at Community Stadium at Goerke Park.
