Blue Hawks survive late rally against Wisconsin-Stout

MENOMONIE, Wis. – The host Blue Devils made a late run, but Dickinson State was able to make plays when they needed to as the Blue Hawks held on for a 24-21 road victory to close non-conference play. With the win, DSU now sits at 2-1(1-0 NSAA) on the season.

Neither team could get much offense going to start the game, but Wisconsin-Stout opened the scoring with a field goal with 4:57 left in the first quarter. The Blue Hawks immediately responded with their best drive yet driving 68 yards in 8 plays capped by a 34-yard touchdown reception by Kaden Kuntz over the middle. The touchdown pass was the first of three on the day for quarterback Will Madler who continued to look impressive in the early season for Dickinson State.

A second quarter field goal by the Blue Devils cut the DSU lead to one, 7-6, and the score held that way until the half.

Another great drive by DSU started the second half, but the drive stalled out in UWS territory, and the Blue Hawks settled for a 41-yard field goal from Chase Miller, his second 40-plus yard kick in as many weeks.

However, the Blue Devils responded by driving 74 yards for a touchdown to take their first lead of the game, 13-10.

The ensuing DSU possession looked to be over before it started after an unnecessary roughness penalty made it 2^nd and long deep in DSU territory, but a 76-yard bomb from Madler to Cameron Sheppard on third and eight put DSU back in front just eight game-seconds later.

Dickinson State held their 17-13 advantage into the fourth quarter and looked ready to put the game out of reach when Madler found Noah Sickler for a 10-yard touchdown with 7:30 left in the game.

The Blue Devils would not go away, however, answering with a quick four-play, 59-yard touchdown drive to make it a one score game again. UWS went for the two-point conversion on the play to try and get within a field goal, but the try was unsuccessful leaving the score at 24-19 Blue Hawks.

A safety on a failed punt by the Blue Hawks accounted for the final two points for Stout as the DSU defense held strong the rest of the way to cement the victory.

Madler went 21-36 for 279 yards, three touchdowns, and an interception to earn player of the game honors, with Kuntz being the main beneficiary as he brought down seven receptions for 114 yards and a touchdown. Braden Zuroff continued to lead the Blue Hawk rushing attack, taking 12 carries for 60 yards.

Brooks Talbot led the defense, as gathered 10 total tackles, including a sack and 2.5 tackles for loss in the win.

"It was a big win for our program," said head coach Pete Stanton. "The guys hung in there all game long against a good Wisconsin-Stout team. We made some big plays on both sides of the ball in the fourth quarter to get it done. It was a team effort in all three phases and I couldn't be prouder of our guys."