MENOMONIE, WI - The Menlo College football team mounted a late rally, scoring 12 fourth-quarter points, but an early deficit proved too tough to overcome as the Oaks fell to University of Wisconsin-Stout, 24-19, in Friday’s season opener for both teams at Don & Nona Williams Stadium.

The Blue Devils took the lead with a 35-yard field goal by Marty Platek at the 4:30 mark of the first quarter. Sophomore Nick D’Antonio intercepted UW-Stout QB Tanner Kattre in the endzone to close the first quarter.

Sophomore Shaun Souza rushed for a 9-yard touchdown just over one and half minutes into the second quarter to give the Oaks a 7-3 lead.

UW-Stout answered with two touchdowns, a 5-yard pass by Kattre to freshman Patrick Mengelkoch and a 15-yard run by Kattre. The Blue Devils raised their lead to 24-7 in the third quarter by taking advantage of a Menlo fumble on the 25-yard line at the 10:31 minute mark.

The Oaks rallied in the fourth quarter, scoring two touchdowns in the final three minutes. Senior Kyle Mosby scored on a 2-yard pass from freshman quarterback Tony Rehn to close the lead to 24-13. With 1:09 on the clock, Rehn and Matt Truscott teamed up for a 29-yard touchdown.

The game was not secure until UW-Stout recovered an on-sides kick with 1:08 left in the game.

Truscott finished with 124 receiving yards while Rehn was 10-for-19 for 140 yards and two touchdowns.

Menlo resumes action September 8th at Chapman University. The Oaks defeated the Panthers last year, 27-24, after Souza scored the winning touchdown.