Whitewater runs past Blue Devils in season finale

More news about: UW-Stout

WHITETWATER (November 14, 2015) - It's a big enough task to take on the two-time defending national champion, but to have to play without your starting quarterback made the task all the harder as UW-Whitewater defeated UW-Stout, 63-14, in the Blue Devils' season finale at Warhawk Stadium Saturday.

Hank Kujak (Sr, Blair) was injured towards the end of the win over UW-Stevens Point, and didn't practice all week. Kujak attempted two passes in the Blue Devils' first possession and sat the rest of the game.

The Warhawks (9-1, 6-1 WIAC) ran off to a 14-0 lead in the first four minutes of the game, but Stout cut the lead in half midway through the first period.

Freshman quarterback Jay Alston led a 14-play, 5-minute, 33-second, 76-yard drive. Alston completed 5-of-8 passes in the drive, including a 24-yard pass to Jordan Dabney on third down early in the drive to move the chains. Alston completed the drive by finding Chris Pica-Anderson for an eight-yard score and Stout trailed 14-7.

It was all Whitewater after that as the Warhawks woudl finish with 595 yards of total offense for the game, scoring the next seven TDs to take a 63-7 lead.

Alston engineered another long scoring drive late in the game, going 76 yards in 11 plays, capping off the drive with an eight yard pass to Brian Alvarez.

In his first extended action, Alston completed 15-of-33 passes for 135 and two TDs, but was pitcked off twice.

The Blue Devils' offensive line did not allow a sack against the conference's leader in sacks, and finished the season with a conference-low six sacks allowed.

Stout (3-7, 2-5 WIAC) totaled 215 yards of total offense, 135 through the air, 80 on the ground.

The Warhawks got 257 yards via the pass, 338 yards on the ground. Jordan Ratliffe rushed for 217 yards on 19 carries and scored twice. Jarrod Ware finished with 97 yards and a score. Chris Nelson completed 18-of-24 passes for 218 yards. Marcus Hudson had five receptions for 106 yards and two scores. Tony Gumina caught seven passes for 58 yards and a TD. Ryan Winske returned an interception 70 yards for a score.

Collin Laursen tallied 19 tackles, 13 solo, while linebacker Kyle Hoefft had 11 tackles, eight solo.