Blue Devil Football

September 22, 1997

BLUE DEVILS OPEN UP CONFERENCE PLAY AT LA CROSSE

UW-Stout Blue Devils (1-1) at UW-La Crosse Eagles (2-0)
Saturday, September 27, 3 p.m.
Memorial Stadium, La Crosse, Wis.

LAST WEEK: Stout: Pat Carlson's 31-yard interception return for a touchdown gave Stout a 17-14 lead over Northern State in Aberdeen, S. Dak., early in the third quarter, but the Wolves bounced back with two TDs to down Stout, 27-17. The Blue Devils had opportunities, but failed to convert three time from within the red zone. Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) completed 19-of-42 passes for 235 yards, while Scott Wojcik (Sr, Marshfield) pulled in six passes for 121 yards. Stout tallied 332 total yards - 74 rushing, 258 passing - while Northern had 296 total - 161 rushing, 135 passing.

La Crosse: The Eagles had little trouble disposing of Huron, S. Dak., University, 56-0 at Huron. The tone was set in the first minute of the game when the Eagles' Mike Scheuer (Jr, Marshfield) picked up a Huron fumble and rambled 28 yards for the score. The speedy John Barrett (Sr, Green Bay) scored three TDs, two on passes and another on a punt return. The Eagles dominated Huron, amassing 598 total yards, 284 rushing, 314 passing, while holding the Tribe to 195 total yards. Jared Arn (So, Brodhead) had 102 yards on the ground, while Barrett picked up 104 in pass receptions - both TDs. Ben Antony (Fr, Sun Prairie) had three catches for 84 yards. Quarterbacks Rob Slaven and Jeff Baker combined duties, with Slavens completing 5-of-9 for 114 yds, while Baker was 7-of-9 for 200 yds.

LAST YEAR: Both Stout and LaCrosse play 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. LaCrosse was 11-2, and were league champions at 7-0. They advanced to the NCAA Division III championships where they lost to eventual national champion Mt. Union in the semi-final game. Saturday's game marks the conference opener for both teams.

THE SERIES: The Eagles own the Blue Devils, posting a commanding 59-7-5 lead in the series that began 1913 with a 12-3 La Crosse win. Stout has not won since 1987 when they outshot the Eagles, 41-32. Stout has won only two games since 1965. In a six season stretch from 1960-65, Stout went 3-3 with LaCrosse. The Blue Devils stayed within striking range of the Eagles last season, before dropping a 21-12 decision at Nelson Field. The Eagles' Jeff Baker struck for two first quarter TDs, but Stout tightened the score when Scott Wojcik pulled in a 19-yd TD pass from Matt Bunyan. Brian Steines scored from the 1 early in the fourth quarter. Stout answered back with a TD at the five minute mark.

STOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Matt Bunyan (#19, 6-6, 230, Jr, Janesville) 77-40-0, 645 yds, 5 TDs; WR Scott Wojcik (#18, 6-3, 210, Sr, Marshfield) 10 rec, 262 yds, 2 TDs; WR Jimmy Pillars (#80, 6-5, 220, So Chicago, Ill) 10 rec, 167 yds, 1 TD; TB Shawn Lund (#20, 6-0, 220, So, Ashland) 121 yds rushing on 29 carries; LB Sam Standard (#1, 6-1, 220, Indianapolis, Ind) 16 tackles, 11 solo, 3 tackles-for-losses of 21 yds, 1 sack for 10 yds; Blue Devils 908 total ypg, 219 rushing, 689 passing; gave up 442 total ypg, 241 rushing, 201 passing

LA CROSSE PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Jared Arn (#32, 5-7, 170, So, Brodhead) 127 yds on 26 carries, 4.9 yd/car; RB Beau Coulter (#33, 5-9, 200, Jr, Kewaskum) 126 yds, 12 carries, 10.5 yd/carry; QB Jeff Baker (#20, 6-4, 210, Sr, West Bend) 31-21-2, 587 yds, 5 TDs; RB John Barrett (#23, 5-9, 190, Sr, Green Bay) 5 rec for 164 yds, 2 TDs, 22.5 yd/kickoff return, 11.6 yd/punt return; DB Mike Scheuer (#28, 6-2, 205, Jr, Marshfield) 2 int; LaCrosse avg 600.5 yd/game, 250 rushing, 350.5 passing; gave up 218.5 ypg, 100.5 rushing, 118 passing.

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

DEFENSIVE LOOK: LaCrosse: 4-3 Stout: 4-3

COACHES: Stout's Ed Meierkort (14-28 career) is in his fifth year, while LaCrosse's Roger Harring (245-64-7) is in his 29th.

STOUT COACH ED MEIERKORT SAYS: "Our big play players did not make the plays we needed them to make. We didn't play poorly, we just didn't play well enough to win on the road. We moved the ball well, but just didn't finish the job. A lack of execution in the red zone hurt us. We had three opportunities inside the 35, and couldn't convert.

"This week's game with LaCrosse is a great opportunity for us. It doesn't get much better than this. We get the premier team in the conference, at home during Octoberfest. Our problem has been winning games in this league. We might as well fight the biggest kid on the block.

"We can't back down physically from La Crosse. We have to make sure we compete on every play. If they smell blood, that's all she wrote. LaCrosse has great balance. They will do whatever it takes to win. They are not a smashmouth team. They are more of a perimeter team. They like to take it out to the edge. They will be a fun team to defense. They are so diverse.

"Our offensive line must match up with their defensive line. We need to test them vertically. A key to beating them is to big-play them. We will take our share of losses and we will take our share of 3-and-outs. We will need to have the big plays."

RADIO: WMEQ-AM, 880 radio, Menomonie, Jake Bostrom, Jay Fahl, Chuck Morning

September 20, 1997

BLUE DEVILS' FAILURE TO CONVERT IN RED ZONE SPELLS DOOM

ABERDEEN, S. Dak. - With a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown midway through the third quarter, UW-Stout linebacker Pat Carlson (Sr, Menasha) gave the Blue Devils a 17-14 lead, but Northern State stormed back with two touchdowns to down Stout, 27-17, in a non-conference contest Saturday, Sept. 20.

On the following drive, Northern went 55 yards in seven plays when Iloa Vakapuna scored on a 1-yard run. But the majority of the damage came on a hook-and-ladder play where Wolves' quarterback Tom Ramerth found an open receiver, who in turned pitched back to Tom Skoog, who scooted 53 yards before being dragged down on the Stout 2-yard line.

Stout (1-1) amassed only 86 of their 332 total yards in the second half and had only two sustained drives - with only one breaking into serious Northern territory when Scott Wojcik (Sr, Marshfield) took a Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) pass for 42 yards to the Northern 28. But the drive fizzled with about 10 minutes remaining in the game and Stout's Kevin McCulley (Fr, Fond du Lac) attempted a 43-yard field goal which went just wide.

Northern (1-2) wasn't about to give Stout anything and put the dagger in the Blue Devils when Skoog broke loose for a 43-yard touchdown scamper with 41 seconds remaining in the game.

"This game was lost when we failed to convert," Stout coach Ed Meierkort said. "We had three opportunities in the red zone, and didn't convert them.

"I thought we played really poorly offensively. We may have read some of our press clippings (from last week's 43-6 win over Bemidji State). But I thought we played well defensively. This is one we just let get away."

Northern took advantage of an early Blue Devil fumble, needing only two plays to go 20 yards and scoring when Ramerth hit Mark Chamernick on second down for a 20-yard scoring play at 9:15 in the first quarter.

But the Blue Devils put on their best drive of the afternoon, going 74 yards in 11 plays when Bunyan scored on a 2-yard quarterback sneak.

Stout took a 10-7 lead when Nolan Mosher (So, Janesville) booted a 29-yard field goal at 10:22 in the second.

Northern captured the halftime lead when Vakapuna capped off a 68-yard, 11-play drive with a four yard run to the end zone.

Stout held a slight edge on the stat sheet, gaining 332 yards to Northern's 296. Stout had 74 yards rushing, 258 passing, while Northern gained 161 on the ground - a big chunk coming in the fourth quarter - and 135 in the air.

Individually, Bunyan completed 19-of-42 passes for 235 yards. Wojcik went 1-for-1 when he hit Jeff Jackman (So, River Falls) for 23 yards on a fake punt. Wojcik pulled down six passes for 121 yards. Ryan Patt (So, North Fond du Lac) had 46 yards on the ground and had six receptions for 44 yards.

For the Wolves, Skoog finished with 106 yards on 14 carries, while Vakapuna had 57 yards on 10 carries for two touchdowns. Skoog also had three receptions for 69 yards. Ramerth completed 13-of-27 passes for 135 yards.

Stout will be at UW-LaCrosse, Saturday, Sept. 27 for a 3 p.m. game. The Eagles defeated Huron State, 56-0, Saturday.

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Blue Devil Volleyball

September 20, 1997

VOLLEYBALL SQUAD DROPS THREE-GAME SET TO PLATTEVILLE

PLATTEVILLE - Opening weekend of Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) play was not kind to UW-Stout. Just one day after dropping a match to conference foe UW-La Crosse, the Blue Devils fell 16-14, 15-10, 15-12 to UW-Platteville, Saturday, Sept. 20 at Platteville.

The Blue Devils (8-4, 0-2) stayed close in all three games with the Pioneers before bowing out. Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) led the way for Stout with 15 kills and a hitting percentage of .600, while Karen Hatfield (Jr, Menomonie) had eight kills and Tori Feit (So, Rushmore, Minn) had seven. Monica Cyrus (Jr, Farmington, Minn) had 15 digs, while Jenny Kraczek (So, Blaine, Minn) had nine digs and 32 assists.

Stout is back in action Friday, Sept. 26 when they swing down the road to compete in the two-day UW-Eau Claire Invitational.

September 19, 1997

VOLLEYBALL TEAM COMES SHORT IN CONFERENCE OPENER TO LA CROSSE

LA CROSSE - The UW-Stout volleyball team hit only 84 percent and dropped their Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) opener to UW-La Crosse, 15-6, 16-14, 15-5, at La Crosse, Friday, Sept. 19.

Karen Hatfield (Jr, Menomonie) and Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn.) each had six kills apiece to lead Stout (8-3, 0-1). As a team, Stout was held to 26 kills in the three games, while the Eagles (8-3, 1-0) had 49. La Crosse managed 10 service aces to Stout's two.

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Blue Devil Soccer

September 21, 1997

BLUE DEVILS COME UP SHORT IN OVERTIME TO UW-OSHKOSH

OSHKOSH - Alyssa Halverson (Jr, Rochester, Minn.) broke a school record on her first goal of the game, but the UW-Stout soccer team lost a 3-2 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) overtime decision to UW-Oshkosh Sunday, Sept. 21 at Oshkosh.

Halverson ran her season total to eight goals, slipping past Kari Stapleton's record for goals in a season, as she scored nine minutes into the game off an indirect kick.

Twelve minutes later, Shannon Camp (Fr, Blaine, Minn) gave Stout (5-2, 1-2) a 2-0 lead. Becca Carlson (So, Rosemount, Minn) assisted on both goals. Oshkosh scored with six minutes left in the half, then knotted the score seven minutes into the second half. The Blue Devils couldn't buy a break the rest of the way and Oshkosh's Jill Cator scored the game winner in the second overtime period.

Stout plays host to Hamline University Thursday, Sept. 25 at 4 p.m. at Phelan Park. Family Day is Sunday, Sept. 28 when St. Olaf comes to Phelan Park at 2 p.m.

September 20, 1997

STOUT DOWNS WHITEWATER FOR FIRST-TIME EVER

WHITEWATER - The UW-Stout soccer team notched their first WIAC win over an opponent they had never before beaten, a 2-1 win over UW-Whitewater at Whitewater, Saturday, Sept. 20.

Jessica Unterweger (So, Nashotah) broke the ice by scoring unassisted 10 minutes into the game, but Whitewater tied the score with 12 minutes remaining in the half.

Becca Carlson (So, Rosemount, Minn) scored the game winning goal - a header - when she took a pass from Alyssa Halverson (Jr, Rochester, Minn) with 15 minutes remaining in the contest.

Nikki Bezak (So, Coon Rapids, Minn) recorded seven saves.

September 17, 1997

EAU CLAIRE DOWNS BLUE DEVIL SOCCER TEAM

MENOMONIE - UW-Eau Claire scored two goals late in the contest to hand UW-Stout their first setback of the season, 4-1, Wednesday, Sept. 17 at Phelan Park. The game was the first conference game for the Blue Devils.

The loss is not without a bright spot. Although the Blue Devils (4-1, 0-1) came home with their first loss of the season, for the first time in Stout soccer history, the Blue Devils managed to pull off a goal against the Blugolds.

During the first half, Eau Claire (5-2-1, 2-0) scored twice early, but Stout's Alyssa Halverson (Jr, Rochester, Minn.) managed to put the ball in the back of the net early in the second half to tighten the score to 2-1. Eau Claire's Carisa Berndt scored two goals in the second half.

With her goal, Halverson, a converted goalkeepter, tied the school record for most goals in a single season at seven. Eau Claire outshot Stout 19-13. Stout had several opportunities to score in the first half, but several shots bounced off the pipes.

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Blue Devil Men's Cross Country

The Blue Devil men did not compete this week, but will be back in action Saturday, Sept. 27 at the University of Minnesota Invitational. The junior varsity is scheduled to be at Carleton College in Northfield, Minn., Friday, Sept. 26.

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Blue Devil Women's Cross Country

September 20, 1997

WOMEN'S CROSS COUNTRY TEAM FINISHES SECOND AT ST. OLAF

NORTHFIELD, Minn. - Katy Olsen (Jr, Rice Lake) and Katie Jacobson (Jr, Eau Claire) finished second and third individually as the UW-Stout cross country team placed second at the St. Olaf Invitational Saturday, Sept. 20 in Northfield, Minn. Olsen came in at 19:11 and Jacobson, who has been on Olsen's heels all season, finished at 19:28.

As a team, the meet was a good test for the Blue Devils, who were without top seven runners Nicole Ernster (Jr, Rochester, Minn) and Jennifer Bahr (So, Forest Lake, Minn). Stout was ranked 18th in the NCAA Division III last week and host St. Olaf was ranked seventh. The Oles won the race. Jennifer Wucherer (So, Edgar) finished 16th at 20:13.

The Blue Devils will be at the University of Minnesota Invitational Saturday, Sept. 27.

St. Olaf Invitational Team Results
1. St. Olaf 32; 2. Stout 95; 3. Macalester 116; 4. Bethel 126; 5. Stevens Point 155; 6. Superior 183; 7. Northwestern 224; 8. St. Catherines 228; 9. Winona 250; Martin Luther, incomplete

St. Olaf Invitational Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Sarah Anderson (Sup) 18:24; 2. Katy Olsen 19:11; 3. Katie Jacobson 19:28; 16. Jennifer Wucherer 20:13; 41. Dana Piper 21:02; 55. Katie Kuffel 21:27; 65. Robin White 21:45; 73. Melissa Schreiner 21:54; 80. Stacy Gaasedelen 22:07; 104. Heather Kuchinka 22:49; 116. Kelly Knaus 23:18.

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Blue Devil Tennis

September 20, 1997

JAMIESON/MADER STAY PERFECT ON WEEKEND TRIP

KENOSHA - Amy Jamieson (Sr, Dayton, Minn) and Lauren Mader (So, Neenah) were the only UW-Stout tennis players to pick up wins against Carthage College Saturday, Sept. 20, and stayed perfect in three matches over the weekend.

The Blue Devils dropped a 6-3 decision - their first dual loss of the season in three matches - against Carthage. Earlier in the day, Stout had no problem with Marian College, downing the Knights, 9-0.

Against Carthage, Jamieson hardly worked up a sweat at No. 1, downing her opponent, 6-1, 6-0. Mader, playing at No. 2 singles, had a ho-hum match as well, winning 6-2, 6-0. In No. 1 doubles, the duo teamed for an 8-4 pro-set win.

Against Marian, both picked up 8-0 pro-set wins in singles, then came up with a 6-2, 6-0 win in doubles. Cecily Marx (Fr, Mequon) picked up her first varsity win, downing Lori Berres of Marian, 8-2.

Stout will be at Bethel College, Monday, Sept. 22. The match was originally scheduled for Thursday, Sept. 25.

Carthage College 6, UW-Stout 3
Singles: No. 1: Amy Jamieson (S) def. Megan Wilsen, 6-1, 6-0; No. 2: Lauren Mader (S) def. Tara Doherty, 6-2, 6-0; No. 3: Kelly Daniels (C) def. Ann Jackson, 6-1, 6-0; No. 4: Cherie Matardess (C) def. Carrie Kish, 6-0, 6-4; No. 5: Kelly Carstensen (C) def. Jessica Pfeiffer, 6-2, 3-6, 6-3; No. 6: Kristen Hutmanek (C) def. Shannan Seppela, 6-1, 6-1; Exh: Jill Kerth (C) def. Cecily Marx, 8-6
Doubles: No. 1: Jamieson/Mader (S) def. Wilsen/Daniels, 8-4; No. 2: Doherty/Kara Klemens def. Jackson/Kish, 8-2; No. 3: Matardess/Carstensen (C) def. Seppela/Pfeiffer, 8-4.

UW-Stout 9, Marian College 0
Singles: No. 1: Amy Jamieson (S) def. Kathy McCarth, 8-1; No. 2: Lauren Mader (S) def. Becky Dorr, 8-0; No. 3: Carrie Kish (S) def. Laura Jahnke, 8-4; No. 4: Jessica Pfeiffer (S) def. Kandace Bohholz, 8-4; No. 5: Shannon Seppela (S) def. Jennifer Hecht, 8-0; No. 6: Cecily Marx (S) def. Lori Berres, 8-2.
Doubles: No. 1: Jamieson/Mader (S) def. Dorr/Jahnke, 6-2, 6-0; No. 2: Kish/Pfeiffer (S) def. McCarthy/Bohholz, 7-6 (8-6), 6-2; No. 3: Seppela/Ann Jackson (S) Hecht/Berres, 6-4, 6-2.

September 19, 1997

STOUT TENNIS TEAM TAKES CONFERENCE OPENER

JANESVILLE - After going 2-1 in doubles play, the UW-Stout tennis team took four of six singles matches to down UW-Whitewater, 6-3, in the Blue Devils' Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) opener Friday, Sept. 19 at the Janesville Athletic Club.

Amy Jamieson (Sr, Dayton, Minn) and Lauren Mader (So, Neenah) needed three sets to take their No. 1 doubles match, 6-0, 2-6, 6-3, while Ann Jackson (Jr, Eau Claire) and Shannon Seppala (So, St. Paul, Minn.) had no problem at No. 3, 6-3, 6-1.On the singles side, Jamieson struggled, but defeated Heather Hearn at No. 1, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3. Mader took an easy 6-2, 6--2 win at No. 2. Carrie Kish (Sr, Anoka, Minn) won at No. 4, while Jessica Pfeiffer (Sr, Woodbury, Minn) won at No. 5.

Stout 6, Whitewater 3
Singles: No. 1: Amy Jamieson (S) def. Heather Hearn, 7-6 (7-4), 6-3; No. 2: Lauren Mader (S) def. Tricia Strachota, 6-2, 6-2; No. 3: Jenny Bacher (WW) def. Ann Jackson, 6-1, 6-0; No. 4: Carrie Kish (S) def. Renee Butters, 6-3, 7-6 (7-2); No. 5: Jessica Pfeiffer (S) def. Jenna Larson (WW) 6-2, 6-4; No. 6: Heather Schamburek (WW) def. Shannon Seppala, 6-7 (7-4), 6-3, 6-4.
Doubles: No. 1: Jamieson/Mader (S) def. Hearn/Strachota 6-0, 2-6, 6-3; No. 2: Bacher/Butters (WW) def. Kish/Pfeiffer 6-3, 6-4; No. 3: Jackson/Seppala (S) def. Larson/Schamburek 6-3, 6-1.

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