Blue Devil Football

BLUE DEVILS HEAD WAY OUT WEST TO NORTHERN STATE

UW-Stout Blue Devils (1-0) at Northern State University Wolves (0-2)

Saturday, September 20, 1 p.m.

Swisher Field, Aberdeen, South Dakota

LAST WEEK: Stout: UW-Stout quarterback Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) threw for five touchdowns and 410 yards as the Blue Devils blew out Bemidji State, 43-6, in Stout's home and season opener. Bunyan hit four Blue Devil receivers for scores and connected with seven receivers. Bunyan went 21-for-35 with no interceptions. Jim Pillars (So, Chicago) had eight receptions for 145 yards and a TD for Air It Out Stout, while Scott Wojcik (Sr, Marshfield) pulled in four passes for 141 yards and two TDs, including a 79-yard score. The Blue Devil running game was also active with Shawn Lund (So, Ashland) gaining 81 of Stout's 145 rushing yards. Stout finished with 576 total yards, while holding Bemidji to 146.

Northern State: The Wolves stayed close with the University of South Dakota until late in the third quarter, but South Dakota pulled away for a 41-16 win. Northern took a 3-0 lead, fell behind, then knotted the score at 6:20 in the second quarter when Ryan Mors (Jr, Huron, S. Dak.) caught a 25-yard TD pass from Tom Ramerth (So, Minneapolis, Minn). South Dakota took a 17-10 led into the locker room, but Ramerth connected with Eric Lund (Jr, St. Cloud, Minn) to tighten the score at 17-16. That would be it for Northern. The Wolves finished with 150 total yards, 24 rushing, 126 passing. Two weeks ago, Northern was downed by UW-Stevens Point, 28-2.

LAST YEAR: Stout plays in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and are affiliated with the NCAA Division III. Stout was 4-6 overall, 1-6 in the conference last season and finished seventh. Northern plays in the Northern Sun Intercollegiate Conference (NSIC) and is affilitated with NCAA Division II. The Wolves were 7-4 overall last season, 4-2 in the NSIC, good for third.

THE SERIES: Stout holds a 2-0 lead in the series that began in 1984 with a 24-23 Blue Devil win at the Metrodome. The Blue Devils won a squeaker at home last season, 25-23. Down 23-20 with 1:53 to play, Stout's LaRue Pierce sacked quarterback Tom Ramerth in the end zone for a safety. Stout took the ensuing kickoff and set up Nolan Mosher's game winning 17-yard field goal with five seconds remaining.

STOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Matt Bunyan (#19, 6-6, 230, Jr, Janesville) 35-21-0, 410 yds, 5 TDs; WR Scott Wojcik (#18, 6-3, 210, Sr, Marshfield) 4 rec, 141 yds, 2 TDs; WR Jimmy Pillars (#80, 6-5, 220, So Chicago, Ill) 8 rec, 141 yds, 1 TD; TB Shawn Lund (#20, 6-0, 220, So, Ashland) 81 yds rushing on 15 carries; LB Sam Standard (#1, 6-1, 220, Indianapolis, Ind) 10 tackles, 7 solo, 3 tackles-for-losses of 21 yds, 1 sack for 10 yds; Blue Devils 576 total ypg, 145 rushing, 431 passing; gave up 146 total ypg, 80 rushing, 66 passing

NORTHERN PLAYERS TO WATCH: (1996 stats) RB Tom Skoog (#21, 6-0, 200, Sr, Graceville, Minn) scored 22 TDs, 1135 yds on 176 carries, avg. 6.2/carry, 27 rec for 487 yds, 18.0/rec; FL Eric Skoog (#2, 6-2, 200, Jr, St. Cloud, Minn.) 38 rec for 634 yds, 16.7/rec; QB Tom Ramerth (#11, 6-4, 190, So, Minneapolis, Minn) 230-121-8, 19 TDs, 2233 yds, 223.3 yd/game; Northern avg 426.8 yd/game, 171.7 rushing, 255.6 passing; gave up 388.7, 204.8 rushing, 183.9 passing.

OFFENSIVE LOOK: Northern: The Wolves run a multiple-pro set Stout: The Blue Devils utilize a multi-pro set which incorporates a West Coast offense.

DEFENSIVE LOOK: Northern: 4-3 Stout: 4-3

COACHES: Stout's Ed Meierkort (14-27 career) is in his fifth year, while Northern's Dennis Miller (72-50) is in his 12th.

STOUT COACH ED MEIERKORT SAYS: Our emotional level was very high Saturday night. We were anxious to play and pick up where we left off in the last game last year (a 50-43 win over Winona State). I think our kids were excited that we were playing a team that beat national power St. John's, and it put a feather in our cap to have beaten them. Winning breeds confidence, but I don't feel this confidence came this year, but late in last year's season. I thought (offensive coordinator) Duey (Naatz) called a wonderful game. Shawn Lund did a nice job of getting us some quality (rushing) yardage early. Matt Bunyan sat in the pocket and waited patiently for the routes. I thought (fullback) Ryan Patt played well in his first start. Defensively, we took over after they scored (following a blocked punt). Sam Standard played just outstanding. We kept a lot of fresh horse out there defensively. We have to make sure we have enough in our arsenal.

(Despite a record of 0-2) Northern is a good team and we will have to play well in Aberdeen to win. They are big and physical up front. Their defense is better than last year. Their secondary is very good. We will not be able to dominate the perimeter like we did against Bemidji. They will put (defensive) pressure on us. Matt won't be able to just stand back there.

We believe we passed the first test of the year. Now in the second test, we will face a quality team on the road. Last week's win throws one on the good side. We've still got nine games left. I don't see anyone on our schedule where there is a definite W or an L.

September 13, 1997

BLUE DEVILS BLOW APART BEMIDJI STATE IN OFFENSIVE SHOW

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout quarterback Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) threw for five touchdowns and 410 yards as the Blue Devils routed Bemidji State University, 43-6, in Stout's season opener Saturday, Sept. 13 at Nelson Field.

Four different receivers were on the other end of Bunyan's scoring strikes and seven different receivers caught his passes. Bunyan was 21-for-35 with no interceptions.

The last time a Stout quarterback threw for five touchdowns was in 1989 when Tim Peterson did it against UW-Oshkosh. Bunyan was only 11 yards short of the school game passing yardage record of 421 yards set by Peterson in 1987.

Stout took an early 3-0 lead on a Nolan Mosher (So, Janesville) field goal, then allowed the Beavers to take the lead when they blocked a Scott Wojcik (Sr, Marshfield) punt. Two plays later, Chris Meyer put the Beavers on the board with a 10-yard jaunt to the end zone. Stout's Mike Olson (Sr, Farmington, Minn) defelected the extra point and Bemidji led, 6-3, at the 6:17 mark in the first quarter.

Bunyan got the Blue Devils back on top to stay late in the quarter, commanding a 72-yard drive, capped off by a 12-yard scoring pass to his favorite receiver, Jim Pillars (So, Chicago, Ill). The big wide receiver pulled in eight catches for 145 yards on the night.

Bunyan lit up the board again at the 10:05 mark in the second quarter, finishing off a 70-yard drive with a7-yard score to tight end Pete Spiegel (Sr, West Bend), his first career touchdown.

Wojcik and Bunyan teammed up twice in the third quarter for scores. Bunyan threw a perfect pass to Wojcik as the senior sailed down the visitor's sideline untouched for a 79-yard score.

The Devils mixed long drives with short drives, and scored on an 84-yard drive when Bunyan hit Wojcik for a 20-yard score. Wojcik finished the night with four catches for 141 yards. Stout held a 29-6 lead heading into the fourth, but they would add more.

Bunyan hit former linebacker, now tight end, Tracy Finder (Jr, Wilson) for a 13-yard touchdown with 8:20 left in the game.

Back-up quarterback Marty Goyrl (So, Greenfield) got into the act, capping off a 61-yard drive with a 2-yard touchdown run.

Stout's offense racked up 576 total yards, 431 passing, 145 rushing, while holding the Beavers to 146 total yards, 80 on the ground, 66 in the air.

Jesse Diaz (So, Cottage Grove) had two receptions for 54 yards - including a 44-yard pass play.

On the ground, Shawn Lund (So, Ashland) finished with 81 yards on 15 carries, while fullbackRyan Patt (So, North Fond du Lac) had 41 yards on 10 carries.

The win was the Blue Devils' first season opening win since 1993.

The Blue Devils now begin a three week road stand, one of the longest in Stout history, traveling to Northern State University in Aberdeen, S. Dak., Saturday, Sept. 13.

September 17, 1997

MATT BUNYAN NAMED TO NATIONAL HONOR

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout quarterback Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) was named the offensive player of the week by USA III Football, a national publication totally dedicated to covering NCAA Division III football programs.

Bunyan threw for five touchdowns and 410 yards passing as the Blue Devils defeated Bemidji State University, 43-6, Saturday, Sept. 13 in Menomonie. No Stout quarterback had thrown for five touchdowns in a single game since 1989. Bunyan was only 11 yards short of matching the school record of 421 yards set by Tim Peterson in 1987.

Bunyan three touchdown passes to four different receivers and completed passes to seven different receivers.

Linebacker Sam Standard (Sr, Indianapolis, Ind) made the publication's honor roll for defensive players.

Standard finished with 10 tackles on the night, including one Bemidji offensive series where he recorded two solo tackles and assisted on another to almost single-handedly stop the drive. Standard had seven solo tackles, three assisted tackles, three tackles for losses of 21 yards and a sack for 10 yards.

Stout (1-0) plays at Northern State University, in Aberdeen, S. Dak., Saturday, Sept. 20.

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Blue Devil Soccer

September 13, 1997

BLUE DEVIL SOCCER TEAM BRINGS HOME ANOTHER VICTORY

APPLETON - The UW-Stout soccer team did something Saturday they have never done before in their short history - start the season off with a perfect 4-0 record. The Blue Devils downed Lawrence University, 2-0, to reach the marker.

Alyssa Halverson (Jr, Rochester, Minn.) opened the game with a goal on a direct kick seven minutes into the game.

There was no scoring until Shannon Camp (Fr, Blaine, Minn.) managed to score off a deflection from Karen Gray (Jr, Mission Viejo, Calif.) at the end of the second half.

The Blue Devils outshot the Vikings 16-7 and goalkeeper Nikki Bezak (So, Coon Rapids, Minn.) notched her second shutout of the season.

Stout takes to the field again Wednesday, Sept. 17, to face UW-Eau Claire in a WIAC contest at Phelan Park.

September 11, 1997

BLUE DEVIL SOCCER WINS SQUEAKER

ST. PAUL, Minn. - Alyssa Halverson (Jr, Rochester, Minn.) scored the game opening goal, then came up with the game winning goal as the UW-Stout soccer team came up with a 3-2 win over Bethel College Thursday, Sept. 11.

Halverson's game winner came 10 minutes into the second half, on an assist from Shannon Camp (Fr, Blaine, Minn). Halverson wasted little time with her first goal, scoring from a corner kick less than two minutes into the game.

Bethel answered back seven minutes later, but Marni Grass (So, Waukesha) took a pass from Amy Haessly (Fr, Waukesha) to put the Blue Devils (3-0) ahead heading into the locker room.

Bethel's Lori Evans knotted the game early in the second half before Halverson hit the game winner.

Only three games into the season, Halverson is only two goals short of tying the school record for most goals scored in a season.

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Blue Devil Volleyball

September 13, 1997

BLUE DEVIL VOLLEYBALL TEAM WINS SUPERIOR INVITATIONAL

SUPERIOR - Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn.) paced the UW-Stout volleyball team to the team championship of the UW-Superior Invitational Saturday, and broke a school record along the way.

Stoddard, in a match with the host Yellowjackets, racked up a hitting percentage of .800, shattering the old record of .786 set by Jen Carter in 1991. Stoddard had 25 kills on 30 attacks.

The Blue Devils defeated Lawrence University, 15-7, 15-9, 8-15, 15-8 and Superior 15-12, 15-6, 15-12 on Friday. On Saturday, Stout defeated Hamline University 15-8, 15-7, 15-12 and Northland College 15-10, 15-11, 11-15, 15-3.

Stoddard and teammate Monica Cyrus (Jr, Farmington, Minn) were named to the all-tournament team. Stoddard finished the tournament with 75 kills (18.8/match average).

Stout is now 8-2 on the season, matching their total number of wins of last year when they went 8-20 on the entire season.

The Blue Devils will be at UW-LaCrosse Friday, Sept. 19 and at UW-Platteville Saturday, Sept. 20.

September 10, 1997

BLUE DEVILS TAKE LONG CONTEST FROM BETHEL

ST. PAUL, Minn. - It was a volleyball marathon of sorts, and UW-Stout came out on top of Bethel College, 15-13, 3-15, 16-14, 19-17, Wednesday at Bethel.

The final game was representative of three of the four games. Never more than a three point spread, the Blue Devils needed six serving rotations to finally get the match point, which Monica Cyrus (Jr, Farmington, Minn) served up after more than two-and-a-half hours of play.

The Blue Devils (4-2) were led by Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) with 22 kills, while Tori Feit (So, Rushmore, Minn) had 20. Stoddard hit at a .472 pace, while Feit hit .359 for the night.

Jenny Kraczek (So, Blaine, Minn) finished with 48 assists.

Stout also won a junior varsity contest, 2-0.

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Blue Devil Tennis

September 11, 1997

BLUE DEVIL TENNIS MAKES SHORT WORK OF RIVER FALLS

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout tennis team had little trouble with nearby rival UW-River Falls, downing the Falcons, 8-1, at the Menomonie High School tennis courts Thursday afternoon, Sept. 11, in a non-conference meeting.

All five singles wins were in straight sets, as were the doubles wins.

The Blue Devils (1-0) are now off until Friday, Sept. 19 when they head to UW-Whitewater to open conference play, then continue down the road to play in a triangular at Carthage College the next day.

UW-Stout 8, UW-River Falls 1

Singles: No. 1: Amy Jamieson (Stout) def. Chrissy Kraft, 6-0, 6-1; No. 2: Laren Mader (Stout) def. Renee Schuetzle, 6-1, 6-2; No. 3: Carrie Kish (Stout) def. Katy Schaaf, 6-2, 6-2; No. 4: Jessica Pfeiffer (Stout) def. Alicia Bader, 6-2, 6-2; No. 5: Julie Willkom (RF) def. September Beck, 1-6, 6-4, 6-4; No. 6: Shannon Seppala (Stout) def. Shanna Nelson, 6-2, 6-1.

Doubles: No. 1: Jamieson/Mader (Stout) def. Schuetzle/Schaaf, 7-5, 6-1; No. 2: Beck/Pfeiffer (Stout) def. Kraft/Bader, 6-2, 6-1; No. 3: Ann Jackson/Seppala (Stout) def. Steph Angus/Nelson, 6-4, 8-6.

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September 12, 1997

Blue Devil Cross Country

OLSEN BREAKS BLUE DEVIL MEET RECORD; GILLES TOPS MEN

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout's Katy Olsen (Jr, Rice Lake) won the women's Blue Devil Invitational Friday, Sept. 12, by shattering the meet record, cruising the course in 18:34.8. Olsen broke the meet record (18:54.6) she set last year.

Teammate Katie Jacobson (Jr, Eau Claire) came in second in 18:45.3. Also placing in the top fifteen for the Blue Devils was Jen Wucherer (Jr, Edger) who came in eighth place with a time of 19:38.9 and Jen Bahr (Jr, Forest Lake, Minn)

who placed 14th with a time of 20:19.

St. Thomas won the women's meet, while Stout was second.

On the men's side, Stout's Paul Gilles (Sr, Plum City) passed UW-Stevens Point's Chad Christianson with about 400 meters remaining and clocked a 26:07.0. Christianson finished at 26:13.1. Stout's Jason Petersohn (Sr, Manitowoc) came in tenth place with a time of 26:56.6 and Josh Johnson (Fr, Oregon) finished 16th with a time of 27:12.4.

The Pointers won the men's race, while St. Thomas was second and Stout third.

Stout women will be at the St. Olaf Invitational in Northfield, Minn., next Saturday, Sept. 20 at 11 a.m. The men have next weekend off and will be running again Sept. 27 at the University of Minnesota at 11 a.m.

Blue Devil Invitational Women's Team Results

1. St. Thomas 27; 2. UW-Stout 39; 3. Northwestern 95; 4. UW-River Falls 109; 5. St. Catherine's 115; Martin Luther, incomplete

Women's Individual Results (First place, all Stout finishers)

1. Katy Olsen (UW-Stout) 18:34.8; 2. Katie Jacobson 18:45.3; 8. Jen Wucherer 19:38.9; 14. Jennifer Bahr 20:19.3; 21. Dana Piper 20:47.0; 25. Katie Kuffel 20:53.2; 29. Joyln Jans 21:14.2; 30. Robin White 21:16.3; 38. Stact Gaasedelen 21:58.6; 43. Coryn Delaney 22:28.5; 47. Jessica Schultz 22:42.1; 48. Kelly Knaus 22:45.6; 51. Heather Kuchinka 23:07.6.

Blue Devil Invitational Men's Team Results

1. UW-Stevens Point 28; 2. St. Thomas 40; 3. UW-Stout 68; 4. Carleton College 139; 5. Hamline University 149; 6. UW-River Falls 163; 7. Martin Luther College 187; 8. Northwestern 231

Men's Individual Results (First place, all Stout finishers)

1. Paul Gilles (UW-Stout) 26:07.0; 10. Jason Petersohn 25:56.6; 16. Joshua Johnson 27:12.7; 24. Eric Hanson 27:34.6; 30. Michael Schumann 27:41.5; 34. Christopher Hill 27:53.9; 37. Ryan Hill 28:07.8; 41. Jamie Block 28:19.4; 42. Bradley Chartrand 28:22.2; 47. Ethan Webinger 28:33.8; 48. Bryan Ott 28:42.0; 55. Joshua Webb 28:53.0; 66. Christopher Stevens 29:20.3; 67. Todd Johnson 29:29.4; 72. Jason Donovan 29:42.5; 73. Christopher Heinbuch 29:45.8; 93. Jeffrey Gross 31:43.4; 97. Kevin Butler 32:47.3.

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WIAC ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

September 16, 1997

THREE BLUE DEVILS NAMED WIAC ATHLETE OF THE WEEK

MADISON - The UW-Stout athletic program had a stellar week as three Blue Devil athletes were named Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) athletes of the week.

Katy Olsen (Jr, Rice Lake) was named women's cross country athlete of the week, Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) was named volleyball athlete of the week and Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) was named offensive football player of the week.

A brief bio of their week appears.

Women's Cross Country
Katy Olsen, Jr, Rice Lake, Wis.
Olsen won the UW-Stout Blue Devil Invitational, shattering the meet record she set last year by coming in at 18:34.8. Olsen's former mark was 18:54.6.

Volleyball
Stacy Stoddard, MH, Jr, St. Paul, Minn. (Harding)
The highlight of Stoddard's week was setting a school record for hitting percentage when the middle hitter knocked down 25 kills in 30 attempts and committed only one error for an .800 hitting percentage, shattering the school record by 14 points. The Blue Devils went 5-0 on the week, and Stoddard had 97 kills for a 5.39/game average. For the week, she finished with a hitting percentage of .469 and was named to the UW-Superior Invitational all-tournament team. Stout finished first at Superior.

Football
Matt Bunyan, QB, 6-6, 230, Jr, Janesville, Wis. (Craig)
Bunyan had the game of his career, throwing for five touchdowns and 410 yards as he shredded the Bemidji State defense for a 43-6 win. Bunyan was 21-for-35 with no interceptions. He threw touchdown passes to four different receivers and completed passes to seven. He connected on TD passes of 12-, 7-, 79-, 20-, and 13-yards, the first time a Stout quarterback passed for five touchdowns in a game since 1989. Bunyan was only 11 yards shy of the school passing record.

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