Blue Devil Football

October 13, 1997

BLUE DEVILS PLAY FOR FIRST PLACE WHEN THEY HOST UW-WHITEWATER

UW-Whitewater Warhawks (5-0, 3-0) at UW-Stout Blue Devils (3-2, 2-1) Saturday, October 18, 1 p.m. Nelson Field, Menomonie, Wis.

LAST WEEK: Stout: Jesse Witcraft (Jr, New Lisbon) caught four passes for 193 yards and three TDs as UW-Stout downed UW-River Falls, 42-34, Saturday at Nelson Field. Witcraft, a track All-American, had TD catches of 63-, 48- and 74-yards, and was untouched after he caught the ball. Quarterback Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville) threw for four TDs for 347 yards and ran 28 yards for a score. Scott Wojcik (Sr, Marshfield) caught a 16-yard score and Ryan Patt (So, North Fond du Lac) ran three yards for the other. Stout totalled 436 yards, but gave up 477 total, 441 yards rushing to the run-happy Falcons.

Whitewater: The Warhawks used a second and third quarter blitz to record a 30-22 win over UW-Oshkosh at Whitewater Saturday. After spotting the Titans a 14-7 lead, quarterback Ty Grovesteen (Jr, Evansville) ran three yards to score, then tossed a 49-yard pass to Mike Gullickson (Fr, Deerfield) early in the second half to take a lead they would not relinquish. Bryan Mader (Sr, Kimberly) booted a 27-yard to tie the school career record for field goals and Grovesteen added a one yard run late in the third quarter. The Titans made the game close with a TD and two-point conversion midway through the fourth. Whitewater gained 285 yards on the ground and 134 yards through the air. The Warhawks held the Titans to 42 yards rushing and allowed 235 yards passing.

LAST YEAR: Both Stout and Whitewater 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. Whitewater was 8-2 overall, 6-2 in the conference, good for third.

THE SERIES: The Warhawks hold a commanding 29-8-2 lead in the series that began in 1928 with a 40-0 Whitewater win. Stout has not defeated the Warhawks since 1985, when they won, 7-0. In 1986, the teams tied, 7-7. Over the last 10 meetings, the Warhawks have outscored Stout, 291-124. Last year, the Warhawks turned back the Blue Devils, 44-15. Matt Bunyan threw for 191 yards for Stout, while Brian Aufdermauer completed 10 passes for 248 yards. Anthony Wooden hauled in four passes for 188 yards. Whitewater is currently rated as high as third in one national poll, top 10 in two others.

STOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Matt Bunyan (#19, 6-6, 230, Jr, Janesville) 186-98-3, 1586 yds (317/game), 17 TDs (approaching school record of 20 TDs), ranked fourth nationally in total offense last week (301 yd/g, now 313.6 yd/g); WR Scott Wojcik (#18, 6-3, 210, Sr, Marshfield) 29 rec, 575 yds, 19.8 yd/rec, 5 TDs; WR Jimmy Pillars (#80, 6-5, 220, So Chicago, Ill) 16 rec, 309 yds, 3 TDs; FB Ryan Patt (#42, 6-2, 210, So, North Fond du Lac) 305 yards, 69 carries, 4.4 yd/car; CB Corey Morning (#23, 5-11, 180, Jr, Bloomer) 40 tackles, 29 solo, 1 pass broken up, 1 fumble recovery; LB Sam Standard (#1, 6-1, 220, Indianapolis, Ind) 37 tackles, 19 solo, 7 tackles-for-losses of 40 yds, 1 sack for 10 yds, 2 fumble recoveries; Blue Devils avg 442.2 total ypg (ranked 18th nationally), 116.2 rushing, 326 passing (4th nationally); give up 366 total ypg, 220.2 rushing, 145.8 passing

WHITEWATER PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB John Damato (#6, 6-0, 215, Sr, Sussex) 99 carries, 758 yds, 151.6 yd/g, 5 TDs; RB Eddie McKinnie (#21, 5-9, 175, Sr, Zion, Ill) 95 carries, 479 yds, 101.3 yd/g, 3 TDs; QB Ty Grovesteen (#12, 6-0, 205, Jr, Evansville) 79-44-6, 751 yds, 9 TDs, carried for 6 TDs; WR Tony Magestro (#1, 5-9, 165, Jr, Madison) 16 rec, 268 yds, 16.8 yd/rec, 2 TDs; WR Jamel Patterson (#14, 5-10, 165, Jr, North Chicago, Ill) 11 rec, 194 yds, 17.6 yd/rec, 2 TDs; OL Derrick LeVake (#77, 6-6, 293, Sr, West Allis) All-American lineman; LB Art Gutierrez (#54, 5-11, 240, So, Milwaukee) 14 solo tackles, seven assists; DE Andre Bennett (#72, 6-5, 270, So, Kenosha) 3 sacks, 2 passes broken up; Warhawks avg 491 total ypg (ranked 5th nationally), 322 rushing (4th nationally), 169 passing; give up 213.8 ypg (6th nationally), 41.4 rushing (3rd nationally), 172.4 passing.

OFFENSIVE LOOK: Warhawks: 2-back pro-I set Stout: multi-pro set which incorporates a West Coast style offense.

DEFENSIVE LOOK: Whitewater: 5-2 Stout: 4-3

COACHES: Stout's Ed Meierkort (16-29 career) is in his fifth year, while Whitewater's Bob Berezowitz (88-39-2) is in his 13th.

STOUT COACH ED MEIERKORT SAYS: "Beating River Falls was an enourmous step for this program to have taken. We have now beaten two playoff teams (River Falls, La Crosse). Now people can see that you can come to Stout for a quality education and play good football. This was a very physical game. We sent kids in at 6-3, and they came out at 5-11. This team is becoming a very mature team. We don't get down on ourselves, even if we get down by one touchdown or two touchdowns.

"Now, six weeks into the season and we are playing for first place. If we win this, it will us and them (Whitewater) and maybe someone else, and the other teams have to trade blows. I keep saying we don't want to get into a shootout, but we are getting used to it. We must control their running game. They are awesome in their run capabilities. It's probably the best running game I've seen since I've been in this league. They have two quality running backs, a good quarterback, receivers that catch the ball and a great line anchored by (Derrick) LeVake. Beyond that, what do they have? They are one of the two or three top teams in the country. We must surround their ball carriers - get two or three guys around the ball carrier and bring in the troops. We must continue to play with emotion and tenacity."

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

October 11, 1997

UW-STOUT DOWNS UW-RIVER FALLS, 42-34, IN HOMECOMING GAME

MENOMONIE - Happy Homecoming, UW-Stout football fans, compliments of Jesse Witcraft (Jr, New Lisbon) and Matt Bunyan (Jr, Janesville).

Witcraft, an All-America track performer, got underneath four Bunyan passes, turning them into three touchdowns and 193 yards as the Blue Devils downed UW-River Falls, 42-34, in Stout's homecoming contest. The win was the first for Stout (3-2, 2-1) over the Falcons (3-2, 2-1) since 1990.

The game was another typical Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) shootout, but this time both teams stayed with their normal weapons. The Falcons racked up 477 total yards, 441 in rushing, while Stout went through the air, with Bunyan completing 16-of-26 passes for 347 yards. But the Blue Devils had more success with their running game, tallying 89 yards.

After a scoreless first quarter, the Falcons got on the board on the first play of the second quarter when quarterback Randy Johnson scored from 13 yards out.

The Blue Devils took the lead on consecutive touchdown pass plays by Witcraft. Bunyan found Witcraft for a 63-yard score at 13:53, then the duo connected again at 9:39 on a 48-yard play.

River Falls knotted the score when Dave Letourneau topped off an 80-yard drive with a 1-yard run. Stout took the halftime lead, 21-14, after Scott Wojcik (Sr, Marshfield) scored on a 16-yard pass play.

The Falcons charged back with two touchdowns in the third quarter. Johnson rambled 30 yards at 12:31 and Kolstad took a rare Johnson pass for 25 yards and the score to put River Falls up, 28-21, at the 5:47 mark of the third.

Bunyan would have none of that, and at 13:04 in the fourth quarter, completed a 71-yard drive by weaving his way through the River Falls defense to paydirt, to tie the score.

But the Falcons took the ensuing kickoff, set up by a Ben Kolstad 30 yard return and a Stout penalty, 49-yards, with Letourneau getting the score from one yard out. The Blue Devils' Don Hagenbart (Sr, Dousman) blocked the extra point, and Stout was down by six, 34-28, at 10:50.

It was time for Witcraft's magic again. Bunyan hit Witcraft over the middle, about 20 yards downfield. Witcraft put some moves on the secondary and was never in danger, racing 74 yards for the score. With the Nolan Mosher extra point, Stout led, 35-34, at 9:47.

On the next drive, the Falcons stalled at their own 48 on downs when Mike Purfeerst (So, River Falls) and Jason Lehman (Sr, Bruce), making the switch to defense, stuffed Letourneau.

Stout took over, moved the ball to the 16 where Ryan Patt (North Fond du Lac) took the ball four straight times, getting the touchdown on a three yard dive. With the Mosher kick, Stout led for the final, 42-34, score.

But River Falls would give it one more try, and did move the ball to the Stout 10, but Joe Verstegen (Jr, Little Chute) batted down a desperation pass in the end zone, nearly intercepting the pass.

Johnson led all rushers with 131 yards, while Kolstad finished with 76, Michael Grant had 75 and Nick Scribner had 65.

Patt finished with 48 yards rushing. Wojcik caught eight passes for 80 yards, while Jim Pillars (So, Chicago) had two catches for 54 yards. Jesse Diaz (So, Cottage Grove) had a good game returning kickoffs, getting 94 yards on four returns.

Stout is home again Saturday, Oct. 18, when they host UW-Whitewater at 1 p.m.

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Blue Devil Volleyball

October 11, 1997

STOUT VOLLEYBALL TEAM DEFEATS DUBUQUE

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout volleyball team completed the UW-Stout Volleyball Invitational by downing the University of Dubuque, 16-14, 15-13, 15-8, Saturday, Oct. 11.

Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) once again led the attack, racking up 16 kills. Monica Cyrus (Jr, Farmington, Minn) added 11. Jamie Esser (Sr, Highland) and Heather Cassell (Fr, Lake Geneva)b each had eight kills.

Stout (14-9) got 43 assists from Jenny Kraczek (So, Blaine, Minn).

The Blue Devils get back into conference action Friday, Oct. 17 when they host UW-Oshkosh at 7 p.m.

October 10, 1997

BLUE DEVILS SPLIT DURING FIRST DAY OF STOUT INVITATIONAL

MENOMONIE - Feast or famine. Mountaintop or valley. That's the only way to describe the UW-Stout volleyball teams' first day at the UW-Stout Invitational, Friday, Oct. 10, where they dominated Macalester College, but then fell flat to UW-River Falls.

In the opener with Macalester, Heather Cassell (Fr, Lake Geneva) led a Blue Devil aerial attack with 15 kills as Stout won, 15-9, 15-4, 15-4.

Not far behind Cassell was Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) and Tori Feit (So, Rushmore, Minn) with 13 kills each. Monica Cyrus (Jr, Farmington, Minn) had 12 kills and racked up a .750 hitting percentage. As a team, the Blue Devils hit .467 with 54 kills.

Setter Jenny Kraczek (So, Blaine, Minn) recorded 42 assists.

It was a different story in the nightcap, as the Falcons' Sara Tibesar and Alicia Klinger combined for 21 kills, with Tibesar racking up 11 and Klinger 10. The Falcons took the match, 18-16, 15-8, 15-6.

Stoddard had 20 kills, but also had 12 errors, and the Blue Devils hit .093 as a team in the contest.

UW-Stout Invitational Results

Friday, Oct. 10
UW-Stout def. Macalester College, 15-9, 15-4, 15-4
UW-River Falls def. University of Dubuque, 15-2, 15-10, 15-5
UW-River Falls def. UW-Stout, 18-16, 15-8, 15-6
University of Dubuque def. Macalester College, 15-12, 17-15, 15-3

October 8, 1997

BLUE DEVILS DOWN SUPERIOR IN THREE QUICK GAMES

Behind the one-two attack of Stacy Stoddard (Jr, St. Paul, Minn) and Monica Cyrus (Jr, Farmington, Minn), the Blue Devils (12-8, 2-4) dispatched the Yellow Jackets, 15-4, 15-6, 15-6.

Stoddard pounded down 15 kills, while Cyrus flanked Stoddard with 13 kills. Stout finished the night hitting .327 with a total of 39 kills.Jenny Kraczek (So, Blaine, Minn) had 32 assists.

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Blue Devil Soccer

October 11, 1997

UW-STOUT GETS SOCCER WIN OVER UW-PLATTEVILLE, 3-1

The Blue Devils (7-6, 2-4) fell behind only 20 seconds into the game when Platteville's Erin Dunning put in a goal. Stout answered back 15 minutes into the period when Stacy Langowski (So, Janesville) scored off a corner kick.

Alyssa Halverson (Jr, Rochester, Minn) took a pass from Langowski 36 minutes into the period and in the process, ran her season goal total to 10, matching the school record for career goals.

Stout put the game away late in the game when Carrie Kennedy (Fr, Watertown) scored off a pass from Marni Grass (So, Waukesha).

Stout outshot the Pioneers, 21-10, but were held to only five shots in the first half. Nikki Bezak (So, Coon Rapids, Minn) recorded five saves for the Blue Devils, while Platteville's Stephanie Johnson notched 10. Platteville fell to 5-9, 1-6.

Stout is off until Friday, Oct. 17 when they host Viterbo College at 4 p.m. at Phelan Park when Stout will host a youth clinic after the game.

October 10, 1997

CARLETON COLLEGE DOWNS STOUT 3-0

Much of the first half was played in the Carleton zone, but Stout (6-6) could not manage to put the ball in the back of the net. Carleton's Clara Zamorano scored thirty-nine minutes into the half from a reflection off Stout's goaltender Nikki Bezak (So, Coon Rapids, Minn.).

Carleton added two more goals in the second half.

The Carls (4-7) barely outshot the Blue Devils, 14-12. Bezak recorded 11 saves.

October 13, 1997

BLUE DEVIL SOCCER TEAM TO HOST YOUTH DAY

The game is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. at Phelan Park, and a free clinic conducted by Stout players and staff will be held immediately following the game. There will also be time for picture taking, autograph signing and snacks will be provided. All participanThere is no charge for any of the events of the day.

Previous soccer experience is not required and the event is open to all area youth.

For more information, contact the UW-Stout soccer office at 715-232-1312 or the UW-Stout sports information office at 715-232-2275.

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Blue Devil Men's Cross Country

October 11, 1997

GILLES, PETERSOHN LEAD STOUT TO THIRD PLACE FINISH

Gilles placed fifth and notched a time of 25 minutes, 53 seconds, while Petersohn was tenth (26:20).

Josh Johnson (Fr, Oregon) picked up his pace to finish 15th (26:39) for an easy personal best, while Ryan Hill (Jr, Chetek) was 26th (26:54).

Stout is back in action Saturday, Oct. 18 when they participate in the prestigious Jim Drews Invitational hosted by UW-La Crosse.

Blugold Invitational men's team scores

1. La Crosse 37; 2. Eau Claire 54; 3. Stout 89; 4. UM-Duluth 111; 5. St. Mary's 118; 6. St. Thomas 128; 7. Superior 200; 8. River Falls 230.

Blugold Invitational men's individual results

(First place and all Stout finishers)
1.Brad Wilson (La Crosse) 25:13; 5. Paul Gilles 25:53; 10. Jason Petersohn 26:20; 16. Josh Johnson 26:39; 26. Ryan Hill 26:54; 42. Joe Anderson 27:13; 47. Chris Hill 27:15; 49. Tim Hamill 27:17; 56. Josh Webb 27:27; 57. Bryan Ott 27:28; 59. Jamie Block 27:33; 67. Brad Chartrand 27:45; 74. Ethan Webinger 27:59; 76. Chris Stevens 28:03; 83. Mike Schumann 28:27; 84. Todd Johnson 28:31; 88. Jason Donovan 28:38; 100. Eric Hanson 29:01; 105. Seth Kaste 29:14; 107. Chris Helnbuch 29:16; 125. Kevin Butler 32:56.

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Blue Devil Women's Cross Country

October 10, 1997

KATY OLSEN SETS SCHOOL RECORD AS CROSS COUNTRY TEAM IS THIRD

Olsen shaved one second off the previous school record by finishing in 18 minutes, 30 seconds. Olsen finished in a dead heat with Jennifer Fiedler of UW-La Crosse, who out-leaned her at the finish for second.

Stout's Katie Jacobson was only seven seconds off Olsen's pace, finishing fifth at 18:37.

As a team, Stout finished third, with La Crosse first and UW-Eau Claire second.

Jennifer Wucherer (So, Edgar) was 18th (19:16), matching a personal best, while Jennifer Bahr (So, Forest Lake, Minn) cracked the 20-minute mark for the first time, placing 29th (19:39). Nicole Ernster (Jr, Rochester, Minn) was 33rd (19:45).

The Blue Devils will compete at the Tori Neubauer Invitational hosted by UW-La Crosse, Saturday, Oct. 18.

Blugold Invitational women's team scores

1. La Crosse 50; 2. Eau Claire 58; 3. Stout 88; 4. UM-Duluth 89; 5. St. Mary's 122; 6. Superior 166; 7. St. Catherine's 213; 8. Bemidji State 225; 9. Winona State 235; 10. River Falls 271.

Blugold Invitational women's individual results

(First place and all Stout finishers)
1. Sarah Anderson (Superior) 17:52; 3. Katy Olsen 18:30; 5. Katie Jacobson 18:37; 18. Jennifer Wucherer 19:16; 33. Jennifer Bahr 19:39; 40. Nicole Ernster 19:45; 49. Dana Piper 19:57; 53. Melissa Schreiner 20:07; 64. Robin White; 77. Katie Kuffel 20:39; 79. Joylyn Jans 20:42; 85. Tanya Miller 21:12; 101. Coryn Delaney 22:04; 106. Jessica Schultz 22:22; 112. Kelly Knaus 22:55; Heather Kuchinka 23:06

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Blue Devil Tennis

October 11, 1997

KISH, PFEIFFER RECORD ONLY STOUT WINS VS. ST. NORBERT

Kish recorded a 4-6, 7-6 (5), 6-4 win over Kristin Lindbloom at No. 3 singles and Pfeiffer notched a 6-4, 6-2 win over Sarah Wittman at No. 5.

Stout (4-4) has four conference matches this week, traveling to UW-River Falls Tuesday, Oct. 14, then hosting UW-La Crosse Friday, Oct. 17 at 3 p.m., UW-Stevens Point Saturday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. and UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Oct. 18 at 2:30 p.m.

St. Norbert College 7, UW-Stout 2

Singles: No. 1: Kathryn Peterson (SNC) def. Amy Jamieson, 0-6, 6-2, 7-6 (8); No. 2: Laettia Charpentier (SNC) def. Lauren Mader, 6-1, 6-2; No. 3: Carrie Kish (S) def. Kristin Lindbloom, 4-6, 7-6 (5) 6-4; No. 4: Amy Bellantonia (SNC) def. Ann Jackson, 6-2, 6-1; No. 5: Jessica Pfeiffer (S) def. Sarah Wittman, 6-4, 6-2; No. 6: Carrie Zeman (SNC) def. Shannon Seppela, 6-1, 6-2;
Doubles: No. 1: Peterson/Charpentier (SNC) def. Jamieson/Mader, 8-6; No 2: Lindbloom/Bellantonio (SNC) def. Kish/Pfeiffer, 8-3; No. 3: Wittman/Zeman (SNC) def. Jackson/Seppela, 9-8 (7).

October 7, 1997

NETTERS DROP CONTEST TO MACALESTER

Lauren Mader (So, Neenah) and Amy Jamieson (Sr, Dayton, Minn), Stout's No. 1 doubles team which was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference doubles players of the week, had the closest doubles match, losing 8-6 to Betsy Colby and Karen Martin.

Jamieson easily won at No. 1 singles, downing Colby, 6-0, 6-3. Mader defeated Leela Lavasann, 6-0, 6-3, at No. 2 singles and Carrie Kish (Sr, Anoka, Minn) defeated Jamie Patterson, 6-2, 6-3, at No. 3 singles.

Macalester College 6, UW-Stout 3

Singles: No. 1: Amy Jamieson (S) def. Betsy Colby, 6-0, 6-3; No. 2: Lauren Mader (S) def. Leela Lauasann, 6-0, 6-3; No. 3: Carrie Kish (S) def. Jamie Patterson, 6-2, 6-3; No. 4: Karen Martin (M) def. Ann Jackson, 6-4, 6-0; No. 5: Sarah Roberts (M) def. Shannon Seppela, 6-3, 6-1; No. 6: Brooke Bush (M) def. Cecily Marx, 6-0, 6-1.
Doubles: No. 1: Colby/Martin (M) def. Mader/Jamieson, 8-6; No. 2: Lauasann/Patterson (M) def. Kish/Seppela, 8-2; No. 3: Bush/Liz Dingue (M) def. Jackson/Marx, 8-4.

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Blue Devil Hockey

October 13, 1997

HOCKEY TEAM TO OPEN WITH ALUMNI GAME

The Blue Devils get the season going for real Friday, Oct. 24 when they travel to UW-Eau Claire for a 7:05 p.m. Northern Collegiate Athletic Conference game. The Blugolds invade the Dunn County Ice Arena Saturday, Oct. 25 at 7:30 p.m.

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Hall Of Fall

October 9, 1997

FIVE TO ENTER UW-STOUT ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME

MENOMONIE - Two vital cogs in the evolution of the UW-Stout women's cross country program, a baseball player who overcame illness to earn his way to the top of the school record books, a rugged rebounder on Stout's last men's basketball conference championship team and a three-time All-America wrestler will be inducted into the UW-Stout Athletic Hall of Fame in ceremonies scheduled for Saturday, Nov. 8, at 9 a.m. in the Memorial Student Center Terrace.

Cross country coach Lou Klitzke, cross country and track & field standout Sheila Geere, baseball player Jeff Kloes, basketball player Steve Zmyewski and wrestler Tom Ott are members of the 1997 induction class.

Klitzke was the Blue Devil cross country coach and assistant track coach from 1977-87, and began the women's cross country program in the late 1970s. Geere ran for Klitzke from 1983-86 on both the cross country and track teams, earning four All-America track awards.

Kloes, a four year starter, put his career on hold to battle Hodkins disease, came back to Stout and was twice named district player of the year. The Blue Devil baseball record book is littered with his name. Zymewski was a rugged rebounder on the 1975 men's basketball team that won a conference title. Ott, a three-sport letterwinner, earned three All-America wrestling awards during the mid-1960s, and was the Blue Devils' baseball MVP in 1967.

Longtime radio announcer Jake Bostrom will receive the UW-Stout Distinguished Service Athletic Award.

Reserved tickets are available for the event for $10 by calling the UW-Stout Athletic Office at 715-232-2224.

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