ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. — The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic football team fell to NCAA Division II Roosevelt University, 31-10, Saturday at Morris Field.
The Blue Devils (2-1) scored their lone touchdown in the fourth quarter, but could not overcome a 24-3 deficit. UW-Stout finished with 371 yards of total offense, including 306 passing yards, 25 first downs and 35:32 in time of possession. The Blue Devil defense recorded four sacks and forced two fumbles.
UW-Stout controlled possession for nearly 10 minutes in the first quarter and moved the ball effectively, but could not turn four possessions into points. The Blue Devils gained 116 yards in the quarter, including 72 through the air, while converting three of seven third-down opportunities.
The defense held Roosevelt to 23 rushing yards and forced a pair of punts before the Lakers scored on their final possession of the quarter. Following a Stout fumble, Justin Bland connected with DJ Simmons Jr. on a 47-yard touchdown pass with three seconds remaining to give Roosevelt a 7-0 lead.
The Blue Devils answered with a 29-yard field goal by Tanner Leno early in the second quarter. Braxton Munnikhuysen forced a Roosevelt fumble that was recovered by Dawson Goodman to set up the scoring drive.
Roosevelt added a 20-yard field goal later in the quarter, and the Lakers took a 10-3 lead into halftime. Hunter Scafe recorded two of Stout's three sacks in the second quarter, while UW-Stout held Roosevelt to 1-of-4 on third down.
Roosevelt extended its lead in the third quarter, scoring twice on drives that covered 70 and 91 yards. Joseph Spaulding caught a 12-yard touchdown pass from Bland, and Jamari Thomas added a 1-yard touchdown run as the Lakers took a 24-3 lead entering the fourth quarter.
The Blue Devil defense kept Stout within striking distance when Cole Saenger forced and recovered a fumble at the Roosevelt 29-yard line.
UW-Stout responded with its longest scoring drive of the afternoon, marching 77 yards on 17 plays. The drive consumed 5:45 and featured 11 first downs before Chase Pemberton capped it with a 1-yard touchdown run with 5:45 remaining. Leno's extra point cut the deficit to 24-10.
Roosevelt answered quickly, with Carl Bew breaking loose for a 54-yard touchdown run with 3:25 remaining to put the game out of reach.
Pemberton completed 36 of 80 passes for 306 yards and added 14 rushing yards and a touchdown. Davonte Evans led the Blue Devils with eight receptions for 72 yards, while Avron Carter added seven catches for 70 yards.
Defensively, Scafe recorded three tackles and a team-high two sacks. Saenger finished with six tackles, a forced fumble and a fumble recovery, while Dawson Goodman added six tackles and a fumble recovery.
UW-Stout returns home Saturday, Oct. 3, when the Blue Devils host UW-Platteville at 1:05 p.m. at Don and Nona Williams Stadium in Menomonie.
