DUBUQUE — The University of Wisconsin-Stout Polytechnic football team rallied from a halftime deficit to defeat the University of Dubuque, 34-20, Saturday night in the season opener at Chalmers Field.
Stout trailed 17-10 at halftime and 17-13 entering the fourth quarter before scoring 21 points in the final period to pull away for the victory. The Blue Devils scored three fourth-quarter touchdowns, including rushing scores by Al Wraalstad, Matt Grzybowski and Chase Pemberton.
Stout held a 26-20 lead with just over five minutes remaining when Grady Hatlestad intercepted a fourth-down pass at the Stout 40-yard line and returned it 27 yards to the Dubuque 35. The turnover stopped the Spartans' comeback bid and gave Stout an opportunity to put the game away.
The Blue Devils did just that, driving 35 yards on nine plays before Pemberton scored on a one-yard touchdown run with 1:00 remaining. Davonte Evans caught Pemberton's pass on the two-point conversion to give Stout a 34-20 lead and seal the season-opening victory.
Stout finished with 407 yards of total offense, including 159 rushing and 248 passing. The Blue Devil defense limited Dubuque to 37 rushing yards and recorded 10 tackles for loss.
Dubuque drove the length of the field on the opening possession, but the Stout defense stood tall in the red zone and forced a 27-yard field goal attempt that clanged off the left upright. Stout was unable to capitalize on the momentum, going three-and-out before punting the ball back to the Spartans.
Dubuque took advantage, scoring on a six-play, 57-yard drive to take a 7-0 lead with 5:59 remaining in the first quarter.
Stout answered on its next possession. Pemberton connected with Keon Maggitt for a 47-yard gain, and two plays later found Evans in stride for a 36-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7.
Dubuque regained the lead in the second quarter, capping a 10-play, 60-yard drive with a 10-yard touchdown pass to take a 14-7 lead with 10:47 remaining in the half.
The teams traded punts before Stout put together an 11-play, 49-yard drive that stalled inside the 10-yard line. Garrison Jackman connected on a 26-yard field goal with 4:48 remaining to cut the deficit to 14-10.
Dubuque responded with a 12-play, 57-yard drive that ended with a 31-yard field goal with 10 seconds remaining in the half, giving the Spartans a 17-10 advantage at the break.
The Blue Devils took control in the third quarter, outgaining Dubuque 139-15 while holding a 9:39-5:21 advantage in time of possession. Stout also produced eight first downs to Dubuque's one during the quarter.
Jackman accounted for the quarter's only points, connecting on a 26-yard field goal at 6:56 to bring Stout within 17-13. The Blue Devil defense held Dubuque to 0-for-3 on third down and forced three punts in the quarter.
Stout's offense continued to find its rhythm in the fourth quarter as the Blue Devils scored 21 points to take control of the game.
After a long touchdown was called back because of a holding penalty, Stout continued its drive and Wraalstad eventually scored on a 16-yard touchdown run with 12:57 remaining to give the Blue Devils their first lead of the night, 20-17.
Dubuque answered with a 22-yard field goal at 9:45, capping a 12-play, 60-yard drive to tie the game at 20-20.
Stout responded immediately. Joey Tumilty provided a spark with a big kickoff return to the Stout 39-yard line. A 21-yard run by Grzybowski and a 17-yard reception by Evans moved the Blue Devils into scoring position before Grzybowski scored on a three-yard touchdown run with 8:12 remaining to put Stout ahead 26-20.
Dubuque moved the ball to the Stout 40-yard line on its next possession, but Hatlestad stepped in front of a fourth-down pass and returned the interception 27 yards to the Dubuque 35 with 5:04 remaining.
Stout then drove 35 yards on nine plays, capped by Pemberton's one-yard touchdown run with 1:00 left. Evans hauled in Pemberton's two-point conversion pass to complete the scoring and give the Blue Devils the 34-20 victory.
Pemberton completed 17 of 32 passes for 248 yards and a touchdown in his collegiate debut. He also added a rushing touchdown. Maggitt led the Blue Devil receiving corps with five catches for 110 yards, while Evans finished with five receptions for 80 yards and a touchdown.
Grzybowski rushed 19 times for 75 yards and a touchdown and added two receptions for 17 yards. Jojo James carried the ball six times for 51 yards, while Wraalstad rushed seven times for 51 yards and a touchdown.
Munnikhuysen led the Stout defense with seven tackles, while Calvin O'Connor and Walker Beyerl each recorded six tackles.
Up next, the Blue Devils will host Augustana College (Ill.) Saturday, Sept. 12, at 1 p.m. at Williams Stadium. Before the game, Stout will hold a short ceremony celebrating its 2026 senior class.
