Football

October 30, 2000

ON THE LINE: With a win over UW-Whitewater, UW-Stout would claim undisputed possession of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) crown and complete the turn around to go from the last place team in 1999 to the top of the pile in 2000. Stout clinched at least a share of the crown - and a first ever NCAA playoff berth - last week with their 37-21 win over UW-Oshkosh. UW-La Crosse is the only team that could catch the Blue Devils, trailing by one game with their only conference loss coming at the hands of the Blue Devils. The last time Stout won the conference title (1965), they defeated Whitewater in what proved to be the title game and Bob Berezowitz, the Warhawks' current head coach, was the Whitewater quarterback. Whitewater was the last team to win the conference title undefeated going 7-0 in 1997. In only 10 different years since 1965 have teams gone undefeated in the conference, and Stout did it in 1965, going 6-0.

LAST TIME OUT: Stout: Stout clinched at least a conference tie with a 37-21 win over Oshkosh, and kickoff returner Tony Beckham helped clinch the win. After the Titans took advantage of a fumbled punt snap to pull to within 24-14, Beckham gave the Blue Devils the momentum when he took the ensuing kickoff 85 yards down the east sideline for the score. Luke Bundgaard put on another rushing clinic, picking up 151 yards and, in the process, went over the 1,000-yard rushing mark for the season, the first time a Stout back has rushed for more than 1000 yards since 1991. Bundgaard rushed for two scores and quarterbacks Justin Fjeldstad and Matt Bichanich each threw for one score. Stout racked up 455 yards, 291 on the ground, 164 through the air, while limiting Oshkosh to 267 yards, 39 by rushing and 228 by the pass.

Whitewater: Chad Wurth ran for two scores and 129 yards, but it wasn't enough as UW-River Falls eliminated Whitewater from any scenario for a playoff picture with a 30-20 decision at River Falls. Wurth scored the opening TD of the game, but the Falcons came back with four straight scores before Whitewater's Mike Gullickson got a 31-yard TD pass from Randy Borgart. Borgardt completed 12-of-26 passes for 229 yards as the Warhawks racked up 323 total yards. River Falls ran for 392 yards and passed for 86.

LAST YEAR: Both Stout and Whitewater are members of the eight-team Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) and are affiliated with the NCAA Division III. Stout was 2-8 overall, 1-6 (eighth) in the WIAC. The Warhawks were 3-7 overall, 3-4 (4th, tie) in the WIAC.

THE SERIES: This will be the 43rd meeting between the two teams that began in 1928 with a Whitewater, 40-0, win. The Warhawks hold a 32-8-2 lead in the series, which includes a 21-14 win last season at Nelson Field. Stout took an early lead, but Whitewater knotted the score in the second, then took control in the third quarter with two scores. Whitewater finished with 318 total yards, while the Blue Devils were limited to 175, their second lowest output of the season. The Blue Devils have not beaten Whitewater since the 1985 season (7-0) and tied them in the 1986 season (7-7). Stout had an opportunity two years ago, but the Warhawks sneaked back to take a 45-43 last second win at Whitewater.

STOUT PLAYERS TO WATCH: RB Luke Bundgaard (Fr, Weyerhauser) 189 carries (209 is school single season record), 1024 yds (1105 school record, Steve Burr-1978), 5.4 y/car, 10 TD, 5 receptions, 58 yds, 11.6 y/rec, 1 TD (11 total TDs); RB Eric Baker (Jr, Sarona) 56 car, 290 yds, 5.2 y/car; RB Mark Bergman (Jr, Grantsburg) 54 car, 160 yds, 3.0 y/car, 2 TD, 20 rec, 153 yds, 7.7 y/rec; WR Abraham Cruz (Fr, Alhambra, Calif) 17 rec, 295 yds, 17.4 y/rec, 3 TDs, 1 int; WR Josh Antoni (So, Holmen) 16 rec, 191 yds, 11.9 y/rec; LB Steve Miller (Sr, Lodi) 55 tackles, 28 solo, 2.5 sacks, 2 int for 11 yds one TD, 4 fumble recoveries; DB Eric Moe (So, Hixton) 7 int for 50 yds, one TD, 41 tackles, 28 solo; DB Tony Beckham (Jr, Ocala, Fla) one int for 24 yd TD, 9 pass break ups, 11 kickoff returns, 24.4 y/ret, 1 TD; DB Rob Weinstein (Fr, Racine) 46 tackles, 29 solo, 2 int for 30 yds, 4 pass break ups; LB Eric Lund (Sr, Ashland) 33 tackles, 20 solo, 5 tackles for losses of 22 yds, 3 int for 53 yds, 3 fumble recoveries - 2 for TDs, 3 TDs; Jamie Spielman (So, Menomonie) 59 tackles, 30 solo, 15 tackles for losses of 47 yds, 3 sacks for 30 yds, 1 pass break up; DB Kevin Dewey (Fr, Burnsville, Minn) 45 tackles, 26 solo, 5 int for 28 yds; DL Jeff Hazuga (Sr, Thorp) 8 sacks for 78 yards, 17 tackles for losses of 91 yds; P/PK Kevin McCulley (Sr, Fond du Lac) 11-23 FG (tied school record) 28-30 PAT, 40.8 y/punt; Blue Devils avg 366.0 total ypg, 238.5 rushing, 127.5 passing; give up 235.4 total ypg, 52.6 rushing, 182.8 passing. Stout has 22 interceptions while throwing five. Stout outscoring opponents, 255-123.

WHITEWATER PLAYERS TO WATCH: QB Randy Borgardt (So, Racine) 146 pass attempts, 79 comp, 142 int, 1120 yds, 2 TDs; WR Steve Tenhagen (Sr, Racine) 36 rec, 506 yds, 14.1 y/rec; TE Chris Korff (Sr, Sheboygan Falls) 30 rec, 365 yds, 12.2 y/rec; RB Chad Wurth (Fr, Monona) 226 carries, 1120 yds, 5.0 y/car, 12 TD, 12 kickoff returns, 22.7 y/ret; RB Justin Warren (Jr, Palmyra) 152 car, 671 yds, 4.4 y/car, 10 TDs; DB Jake Wolter (Sr, Wauwatosa) 69 tackles, 50 solo, 6 int for 20 yds, 6 pass break ups, 15 punt returns, 16.7 y/ret; LB Joey Kirichkow (Sr, Beloit) 34 tackles, 26 solo, 4 tackles for losses of 16 yds; DL Peter Katz (Jr, Manitowoc) & DL Matt Rice (Jr, McFarland) each have 3 sacks; Warhawks avg. 341.1 total ypg, 196.9 rushing, 144.2 passing; give up 345.9 total ypg, 121.4 rushing, 224.4 passing. Whitewater outscoring opponents, 205-197.

OFFENSIVE LOOK: Whitewater: 2-back I Pro-Set; Stout: multi-pro set which incorporates a West Coast style offense. DEFENSIVE LOOK: Whitewater: 5-2; Stout: 3-4

COACHES: Stout coach Ed Meierkort (34-44 career) is in his eighth year. Whitewater coach Bob Berezowitz (107-53-2) is in his 16th year.

STOUT COACH ED MEIERKORT SAYS: "I thought we had pretty good control in the game, but you are always anxious. Tony Beckham's (kickoff) return really swung the momentum back our way. Our offensive line has been playing very well. They have getting Luke (Bundgaard) some seams, and we felt that (fullback) Eric Baker played his best game with his blocks and his carries.

"Now, going down to Whitewater, playing in Perkins Stadium, the best place in the league to play, and to go into there with a chance for sole possession of first place and a chance to go undefeated in the conference. That doesn't happen very often. Our defense will have to play another solid game. We will have to stop their inside zone game. Plus, they may have the best one-two running punch in the league. They are a well coached team. It would be another feather in our cap to beat Whitewater at Whitewater.

"All the phone calls and well wishers, it's nice to see people excited about Stout football. We needed to take a break (gave the players Sunday and Monday off) because it has been such a grind."

RADIO: WMEQ 880 AM, Jake Bostrom, Dan Stevens, Dick Lowery

October 28, 2000

MENOMONIE - It's been 35 years since the UW-Stout football team captured a conference title. The wait is over as the Blue Devils clinched at least a tie for the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) title with a 37-21 win over UW-Oshkosh, Saturday, Oct. 28 at Nelson Field.

Luke Bundgaard (Fr, Weyerhauser) rushed for 151 yards and two touchdowns to lead the Blue Devils, but it was Tony Beckham's (Jr, Ocala, Fla) 85-yard kickoff return that sparked the Stout win to pull the Blue Devils to a best ever 8-0 start, 6-0 in the WIAC.

The Titans pulled to within 24-14 with three minutes left in the third quarter after Stout fumbled out of punt formation at the Stout 7. Three plays later, Mike Scovronski bulled his way into the end zone.

But Beckham lit the Blue Devils off on his kickoff return. Taking the boot on the left sideline at the Stout 15, Beckham outran a number of tackles - never straying more than 10 yards from the sideline - and high stepped a last gasp tackle on the Oshkosh 30 and literally strolled into the end zone.

"That is the play that turned this whole thing around," Blue Devil coach Ed Meierkort said.

Stout added another score with seven minutes remaining Eric McCorkle (Fr, Oakdale, Minn) on an eight yard run. The Titans (2-6, 1-5) added a consolation score with seven seconds remaining on a 13-yard pass play.

In the beginning of the game, it looked like the Titans were going to hand the ball over, as they fumbled twice in the first quarter. Stout came up short on a missed field goal on the first opportunity, but the Blue Devils made the Titans pay on the second chance.

Starting on Stout's 35 after Jeff Hazuga (Sr, Thorp) picked up the loose change, the Blue Devils moved five yards on the first play. Mark Ralph (Jr, Colfax) picked up 36 yards to the Oshkosh 29 on a power run to the left side. Bundgaard got his first score of the game when he jitterbugged through traffic, then stretched out over the goal to give Stout a 7-0 lead.

Oshkosh drove 52 yards in seven plays and capped off the drive when Alan Beversdorf hit Shannon King with an 18-yard scoring strike to tie the score at 7-7 three minutes into the second period.

The Blue Devils answered back on their next drive. Quarterback Justin Fjeldstad (Jr, Minneapolis, Minn) kept the drive alive when he sidestepped traffic to get open and hit Josh Antoni (So, Holmen) for a 10-yard gain and a first down. Fjeldstad found Abraham Cruz (Fr, Alhambra, Calif) for an 18-yard gain, and three plays later Fjeldstad connected with John Hanson (So, Grantsburg) at the goal line for a 23 yard gain and a 14-7 Stout lead at 7:39 in the second quarter.

Kevin McCulley (Sr, Fond du Lac) gave Stout a 17-7 halftime lead with a 29-yard field goal.

Beckham opened the second half with a 27-yard kickoff return to the Stout 43 and the Blue Devils drove the remaining 57 yards with Bundgaard getting his second score of the game on a 13-yard run at 11:12 in the third quarter to give Stout a fairly comfortable 24-7 lead - until Stout fumbled the punt.

The Blue Devils controlled the stats as well as the final score. Stout racked up 455 yards of total offense, gaining 291 on the ground and 164 in the air. Bundgaard, who went over the 1000-yard mark for the season, led the way with 151 yards on 29 carries. Ralph picked up 61 yards on four carries.

Fjeldstad completed 6-of-11 passes for 131 yards and one pass and a score. Matt Bichanich (Jr, Mukwonago) completed 2-for-8 for 33 yards with a score. Hanson pulled in two passes for 44 yards, while Cruz had two grabs for 43 yards.

The Titans were held to 39 yards rushing and totaled 267 yards of offense. Beversdorf completed 14-of-42 passes for 156 yards, but was picked off three times and sacked three times. Jeremy James pulled down seven catches for 65 yards, while King was limited to two catches for 67 yards.

Cruz, playing on defense for the first time this season, got an interception deep in Stout's territory as Oshkosh was threatening. Eric Moe (So, Whitehall) got his seventh interception of the season and Kevin Dewey (Fr, Burnsville, Minn) recorded his fifth pick of the season.

"This is just an amazing group of players," Meierkort said. "I am so excited about the progress we made this year after everybody was picking us to finish last. It is just a tribute to the seniors and the coaching staff who brought us here."

The Blue Devils will travel to UW-Whitewater Saturday, Nov. 4, to complete the conference schedule. Stout will wrap up the regular season Nov. 11 when they play the University of Minnesota-Duluth in the final game of the Border Battle at the Metrodome in Minneapolis, Minn.

October 22, 2000

MENOMONIE - UW-Stout freshman defensive back Kevin Dewey (Burnsville, Minn) became the second Blue Devil this season to be named as the National Player of the Week by Don Hansen's National Weekly Football Gazette for his efforts when Stout defeated UW-La Crosse, Oct. 14.

Dewey, who was named the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) defensive player of the week and to the D3football.com Team of the Week, intercepted three passes in the Blue Devils' 27-23 win over La Crosse Menomonie.

His first interception came in the end zone to stop a promising La Crosse drive, and his second and third picks came at midfield. His three picks is one short of the school record or four, which was set twice by Roger Zell in 1969. Dewey, a true freshman, had eight tackles, five solo, one tackle for a loss of six yards. Dewey returned one of the interceptions 28 yards. The win kept Stout perfect at 6-0, 4-0 in the WIAC and in sole possession of first place.

Linebacker Jamie Spielman (So, Menomonie) received the honor from Don Hansen after the Blue Devils' 16-8 conference opening win over UW-Stevens Point, Sept. 23.

October 24, 2000

MENOMONIE - After his record breaking performance in UW-Stout's 43-35 win over UW-Platteville Oct. 21, Blue Devil running back Luke Bundgaard (Fr, Weyerhauser) was named the the Don Hansen National Weekly Football Gazette National Player of the Week, the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) offensive player of the week, the USAfootball.com co-rookie of the week and was named to the d3football.com Team of the Week.

Bundgaard broke school records for most carries in a game (45) and most net rushing yards in a game (335) as the seventh ranked UW-Stout Blue Devils defeated UW-Platteville, 43-35. Bundgaard had four touchdown runs of 15-, 12-, 15- and 71-yards, tying the school record for most points scored in a game by a Blue Devil.

In what would prove to be Stout's winning 75-yard drive late in the fourth quarter, Bundgaard carried the ball four times for 33 yards. In the final 80-yard drive where Bundgaard got his 71 yard TD, he carried the ball four times for all of the 80 yards.

Soccer

October 24, 2000

OSHKOSH - UW-Oshkosh scored early and scored often to put the wraps on the UW-Stout soccer season as the Titans handed the Blue Devils a 7-0 defeat in the quarterfinals of the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) tournament, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at Oshkosh.

Jolanda Aalbers scored two goals in the opening nine minutes, then tacked on another score in the second half. The Titans (15-3) scored three goals in the first half and four in the second half. Oshkosh outshot Stout (8-9), 15-10.

Volleyball

October 28, 2000

RIVER FALLS - UW-Stout split two matches in the final day of the UW-River Falls Trick or Treat Tournament to finish 3-1 at the tournament, Saturday, Oct. 28.

Stout (24-11) took Hamline University in three games, 15-7, 15-10, 15-8, then fell to conference nemesis UW-River Falls, 15-7, 15-12, 15-3.

Kim Roshell (Jr, Cornell) had 11 kills and 18 digs to lead Stout against Hamline, while Rachel Eidet (Jr, North Mankato, Minn) and Brooke Palmer (Jr, Mantorville, Minn) each had 14 kills against the Falcons.

Roshell and Palmer were named to the all-tournament team.

Stout will be at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) quarterfinals, Tuesday, Oct. 31 when they travel to UW-Oshkosh.

October 27, 2000

RIVER FALLS - At the UW-River Falls Trick or Treat Tournament, UW-Stout's Kim Roshell (Jr, Cornell) was handing out the tricks and the Blue Devils were getting the treats as Stout picked up 3-1 wins over Bethel College and UW-Eau Claire, Friday, Oct. 27.

Roshell smashed out 17 kills in the Blue Devils' 15-2, 3-15, 17-15, 15-9 win over Bethel, then crashed the net hard again against the Blugolds with 22 kills, as Stout (23-10) prevailed, 14-16, 15-9, 15-4, 15-11. Roshell also had a team-high 25 digs against the Royals and 20 against Eau Claire.

But Roshell was the only Blue Devil picking up her share of kills. Brooke Palmer (Jr, Mantorville, Minn) and Kandice O'Brien (So, Kasson, Minn) each had 15 kills, while Rachel Eidet (Jr, North Mankato, Minn) had 13 kills against Bethel.

Against the Blugolds, Palmer had 18 kills and Eidet 11.

October 24, 2000

MENOMONIE - The UW-Stout volleyball team used Viterbo University for target practice as the Blue Devils got back on the winning track to take a 15-1, 15-1, 15-8, win over the V-Hawks, Tuesday, Oct. 24 at Johnson Fieldhouse.

The Blue Devils (21-10) finished the first two games off in less than a half hour as Stout picked up identical 15-1 scores on their way to hitting a respectable .405 on the night.

Brooke Palmer (Jr, Mantorville, Minn) had 12 kills and three block assists, to go along with her three service aces. Kim Roshell (Jr, Cornell) finished with eight kills in limited action. Rachel Eidet (Jr, North Mankato, Minn) ended with seven kills, and Kandice O'Brien (So, Kasson, Minn) finished with six.

Laura Huntoon (Sr, Byron, Minn) finished her home career with three service aces.

Stout ran up eight service aces and held Viterbo (7-25) to a .013 hitting percentage.

Women's Cross Country

October 28, 2000

WHITEWATER - Heidi Bedsted (Jr, Plainview, Minn) recorded her best collegiate time as she paced the UW-Stout women's cross country team at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Cross Country Championships Saturday, Oct. 28 at Whitewater.

Bedsted finished 32nd in a time of 19-minutes, 35.6-seconds. Lisa Sorvala (So, New Brighton, Minn) was only a few seconds off Bedsted's pace, finishing 35th in a time of 19:38.5. Amy Arndt (Jr, Lakefield, Minn) was 44th (19:51.8).

As a team, Stout placed sixth.

Stout will be off next weekend and will compete in the NCAA Midwest Regionals, Nov. 11 at Colfax.

WIAC Championships
1. Oshkosh 43; 2. Stevens Point 53; 3. La Crosse 74; 4. Whitewater 104; 5. Eau Claire 109; 6. Stout 190; 7. River Falls 202; 8. Superior 224; 9. Platteville 240.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Leah Juno (SP) 18:01.7; 32. Heidi Bedsted 19:35.6; 35. Lisa Sorvala 19:38.5; 44. Amy Arndt 19:51.8; 58. Heather Stiles 20:16.9; 62. Ellen Everson 20:30.7; 69. Meredith Nordberg 20:48.5; 76. Michelle Abramczak 21:11.4; 83. Terra Dahlheimer 21:46.3; 88. Valori Schaffer 22:08.6; 96. Pam Gundrum 23:17.4.

Men's Cross Country

October 28, 2000

WHITEWATER - Dave Huber (So, Mendota Heights, Minn) placed 34th to lead UW-Stout at the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Men's Cross Country Championships Saturday, Oct. 28 at Whitewater.

Huber finished in a time of 26-minutes, 17.2-seconds. Ethan Webinger (Jr, La Crescent, Minn) was 46th (26:43.1) and Bryan Ott (Sr, Monroe) was 47th (26:43.7). As a team, Stout placed seventh.

The Blue Devils are off next weekend and will round out the season Nov. 11 when they compete in the NCAA Midwest Regionals at Colfax.

WIAC Championships
1. Oshkosh 51; 2. La Crosse 57; 3. Platteville, Whitewater 86; 5. Stevens Point 93; 6. Eau Claire 149; 7. Stout 210; 8. Superior 261; 9. River Falls 270.

Individual Results
(First place, all Stout finishers)
1. Jesse Drake (SP) 24:45.9; 34. Dave Huber 26:17.2; 46. Ethan Webinger 26:43.1; 47. Bryan Ott 26:43.7; 60. Alex Anderson 27:14.2; 70. Seth Kaste 27:33.7; 71. Jason Donovan 27:35.7; 72. Mike Western 27:38.2; 76. Jason Kirch 27:49.0; 78. Casey Otto 27:59.2; 79. Josh Johnson 28:07.9; 88. Jamie Block 28:40.8; 96. Todd Dexheimer 29:24.6.

Men's Ice Hockey

October 28, 2000

MENOMONIE - It may not have been pretty, but it still counts as a tally in the win column as the UW-Stout hockey team defeated Minnesota-Crookston, 5-3, Saturday, Oct. 28 at the Dunn County Ice Arena.

The Blue Devils (2-0) spent eight minutes in the penalty box in the first period, and record eight penalties in all, but only allowed the Crookston offense to convert on one power play. Despite the four penalties to kick off the game, the Blue Devils took a 1-0 lead when Aaron Decker (Jr, Mound, Minn) scored on an assist from Dan Riffe (Fr, Byron, Ill) with five minutes left in the first period.

Stout extended their lead in the second when Nathan Legler (Fr, Lakeville, Minn) and Derek Nichols (Fr, Victoria, Minn) scored in the first ten minutes of the period.

But Crookston (0-2) came back with two goals of their own within two minutes of each other midway through the stanza to tighten the score to 3-2.

Stout's Andy Anderson (Sr, Burnsville, Minn) answered back with two minutes remaining. Drew Nichols (Jr, Victoria, Minn) extended the Stout lead to 5-2 midway through the third period and Crookston got a goal a minute later for the final 5-3 score.

The Blue Devils split time in the goal, with Justin Wiskie (So, Janesville) turning away all 10 shots sent his way, and Ben Plester (Jr, Chemanius, BC) turned back nine shots.

The 2-0 start is the first since Stout returned to varsity status four years ago. The Blue Devils play a home-and-home series with UW-River Falls next weekend. Stout will be at River Falls, Friday, Nov. 3 and home Saturday, Nov. 4 at 7:30 p.m.

October 27, 2000

BROOKFIELD - Dan Riffe (Fr, Byron, Ill) made a splash in his collegiate debut as the freshman wing scored two goals and added an assist to lead UW-Stout to a 6-1 season opening win over the Milwaukee School of Engineering (MSOE) Friday, Oct. 27 in Brookfield.

Riffe got the first goal of the night seven minutes into the game with an assist by Aaron Decker (Jr, Mound, Minn).

The floodgates opened in the second for the Blue Devils as freshman Cale Finseth (Austin, Minn) launched a rocket from a pass by fellow freshman Nathan Legler (Lakeville, Minn) 30 seconds into the period and 12 seconds later, Riffe notched his second goal of the game with an assist by Cullen Flaherty (So, Duluth, Minn), last years leading scorer.

The Raiders go their only goal of the game midway through the period, but the Blue Devils' Brad Weappa (Sr, Brooklyn Center, Minn) scored with a minute remaining in the stanza. Weappa got assists from Joe Berry (Jr, Apple Valley, Minn) and Dan Winkler (Fr, Brooklyn Center, Minn), who was Weappa's linemate in high school.

Riffe assisted on Stout's first goal of the third period when Drew Nichols (Jr, Victoria, Minn) scored. Matt Olson (Jr, Buffalo, Minn) was credited with the second assist. Weappa closed out the scoring a minute later on an unassisted goal.

Ben Plester (Jr, Chemanius, BC) and Justin Wiskie (So, Janesville) split time in the net, with Plester recording the win. Plester recorded 15 saves, while Wiskie turned away eight.

Updated: October 30, 2000