2002 WIAC Football Headlines

UW-Whitewater's Berezowitz To Receive WFCA Distinguished Service Award

RELEASED: Thursday, February 6, 2003 (By Tom Fick, UW-W Sports Info.)

Whitewater, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Whitewater head football coach Bob Berezowitz will receive the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award from the Wisconsin Football Coaches Association at the group's annual banquet Saturday, March 29.

"This is a great honor," Berezowitz said, "largely because of my association with wonderful people like Dave and Judy (McClain) when we re-organized this association, and working with Judy and Mark Hull to coordinate some activities with the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, all helping this organization blossom. This group does a great job. I am tremendously proud to be a member, and grateful to them for including me in a distinguished group."

The Distinguished Service Award recognizes individuals that promote and serve the sport of football in the state of Wisconsin.

Berezowitz's relationship with the WFCA began when he was the head football coach at Evansville High School (1973-80), where he compiled a 49-27 (.645) mark. At various times he served the WFCA as a district representative, as Southern vice president, as chairman of the Hall of Fame Committee, as and chairman of the Point After II Committee. He is now the co-chair of the Clinic Speakers Committee and has served as the liaison with the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference for the past ten years. He is also on the Wisconsin High School Football Coaches Association Scholarship Committee, and serves as liaison for the Shrine South All-Star Team training camp each summer.

Berezowitz has been UW-Whitewater's head coach since 1985, and a member of the Warhawk football staff since 1981. The longest serving head football coach in the WIAC, Berezowitz has compiled a 117-64-4 (.643) record with the Warhawks. He is tied for third, with former UW-River Falls coach Mike Farley, in victories in the history of the league. One of the two men ahead of him, Forrest Perkins, mentored Berezowitz at UW-W. A record-setting quarterback for Perkins, the duo led UW-W to the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics championship game in 1966. His 1966 total of 2,254 yards passing and 27 touchdown passes are still number one in the school record book.

During his tenure at UW-W, Berezowitz has directed the Warhawks to six conference titles and three National Collegiate Athletic Association Division III postseason berths. He has coached 23 players to a total of 40 All- American honors (Note: multiple honors for some players).

The WFCA will also present the Dave McClain Distinguished Service Award to Curt Mueller of Prairie du Sac. Mueller is the owner of the Mueller Sports Medicine Incorporated. The WFCA will also induct seventeen new members into its Hall of Fame at the banquet.

Berezowitz was named College Coach of the Year by the WFCA in 1997, the same year he was inducted into the organization's Hall of Fame.

Tickets for the WFCA banquet March 29, priced at $30, can be purchased by contacting Dick Rundle, WFCA Executive Director, 5111 Arrowhead Drive, Monona, Wisconsin 53716. The phone number is (608) 222-6728.

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UW-Stout's Spielman Named To Associated Press Little America Team

RELEASED: Monday, December 30, 2002

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout senior linebacker Jamie Spielman has been named to the Associated Press Little All-America First Team.

Spielman was the Blue Devils' leading tackler with 86 tackles, 59 of them solo. He led the WIAC in tackles for loss (21-70 yards) and was second in sacks (7-50 yards).

The award is Spielman's fifth All-America team he has been named to this season, garnering three first team selections, one second team and one honorable mention.

The AP Little All-America team is made up of NCAA Division II and III schools, as well as NAIA schools. The AP names a first, second and third team.

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Five Named To D3football.com All-America Team

RELEASED: Thursday, December 26, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football players have been named to the 2002 D3football.com All-America Team. UW-Stout's Tyrone Rhone and Jamie Spielman were named to the first team, while their teammate, Ben Knepper, earned second team honors. UW-Oshkosh's Nick Carlson and UW- Whitewater's Chad Wurth captured third team accolades.

Rhone, a senior defensive back from Milwaukee, Wis. (Vincent H.S.), recorded 41 tackles, 25 solo, had four interceptions, six pass break-ups and one fumble recovery.

Spielman, a senior linebacker from Menomonie, Wis., was the Blue Devils' leading tackler with 86 tackles, 59 of them solo. He led the WIAC in tackles for loss (21-70 yards) and was second in sacks (7-50 yards).

Knepper, a junior offensive lineman from Rice Lake, Wis., spearheaded a Blue Devil offense that led the league with 28.5 points per game and ranked second with 224.8 rushing yards per contest.

Carlson, a senior defensive back from Menasha, Wis., had a team-leading four interceptions and 85 tackles during the 2002 campaign, including five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks.

Wurth, a junior kicker from Monona, Wis. (Monona Grove H.S.), was 24-for-25 on extra points this season and 11- for-17 on field goals with a long kick of 47 yards against Eastern Oregon on September 14, the longest in the league this year.

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Five Earn Football Gazette All-America Accolades

RELEASED: Friday, December 20, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Five Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football players have been named to the 2002 Football Gazette All-America Team. UW-Stout's Jamie Spielman was named to the second team, while UW-Eau Claire's Mike Bestul and Brad Newton, UW-Platteville's Matt Kent and UW-Stout's Ben Knepper were third team picks.

Bestul, a senior offensive lineman from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), helped the Blugold offense rank third in the league in passing (207.2 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (352.8 yards per game) and scoring (26.7 points per game).

Newton, a senior tight end from Baldwin, Wis. (Baldwin-Woodville H.S.), compiled 457 yards on 39 receptions with four touchdowns during the 2002 campaign. He was a Football Gazette honorable mention selection last year.

Kent, a junior wide receiver from Gratiot, Wis. (Black Hawk H.S.), led the league with 65 receptions (7.22 per game), 1,139 receiving yards (126.6 per game) and 13 touchdown catches, while ranking second with 145.3 all- purpose yards per game and 9.1 points per contest. Kent became the first player in UW-Platteville history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. He established a school record with 288 receiving yards against UW-Whitewater this season.

Knepper, a junior offensive lineman from Rice Lake, Wis., spearheaded a Blue Devil offense that led the league with 28.5 points per game and ranked second with 224.8 rushing yards per contest.

A total of 74 players were chosen for the Football Gazette All-America Team by sports information directors for the 13th straight year. All-Region teams were selected from each of the NCAA's four football regions with first and second team selections moving onto the All-America ballot.

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Four Named To Hewlett Packard Football All-America Team

RELEASED: Thursday, December 19, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football players have been named to the 2002 Hewlett Packard Division III All-America Team. UW-La Crosse's Thaddeus Rego was named to the third team, while UW-Eau Claire's Brad Newton, UW-Stevens Point's Cory Flisakowski and UW-Stout's Jamie Spielman earned honorable mention accolades.

Rego, a senior defensive lineman from Reedsburg, Wis., was named the 2002 WIAC Player of the Year and led the Eagles with in tackles for loss (11-46 yards) and sacks (5-34 yards), while ranking third on the squad with 65 total tackles.

Newton, a senior tight end from Baldwin, Wis. (Baldwin-Woodville H.S.), compiled 457 yards on 39 receptions with four touchdowns.

Flisakowski, a sophomore kick returner from Stevens Point, Wis. (SPASH H.S.), led the WIAC and ranked 12th in NCAA Division III with 27.9 yards per kickoff return. He established a new school record and tied a conference record with his 99-yard kickoff return for a touchdown against UW-La Crosse this year. Flisakowski also rushed for 406 yards and totaled 347 receiving yards this season.

The 25th annual, silver anniversary team was selected by a panel of 29 sports information directors representing the four playoff regions in NCAA Division III. The all-america ballot included 377 players representing 147 of the 228 NCAA Division III football-playing institutions. Teams with two or fewer losses were allowed five nominations; teams .500 or better could nominate up to three players; and schools finishing below .500 were allotted two nominations.

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UW-Stout's Spielman Tabbed All-America By Coaches

RELEASED: Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout linebacker Jamie Spielman was named to the 2002 AFCA Division III Coaches All-America Team by the American Football Coaches Association.

Spielman, a senior from Menomonie, Wis., was the Blue Devils' leading tackler with 86 tackles, 59 of them solo. He led the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) in tackles for loss (21-70 yards) and was second in sacks (7-50 yards). Spielman, the only WIAC player named to the 2002 AFCA team, is a two-time All-WIAC First Team selection and was named to the WIAC second team twice. He was a unanimous first team selection this year.

UW-Stout has led the league in total defense the last three years and this year's defense allowed a Division III best 50 rushing yards per game. UW-Stout allowed 239 total yards, ranking ninth in the NCAA. The Blue Devils finished the season at 7-3 overall, 4-3 in the WIAC.

Spielman, a finalist for the prestigious Gagliardi Award, was one of the defensive captains for the United States in the annual Aztec Bowl, a game that pits the top NCAA Division III players against a Mexican all-star team.

Spielman is the third UW-Stout player in as many years to be placed on the AFCA team. Defensive lineman Jeff Hazuga was a 2000 choice and defensive back Tony Beckham was on the 2001 team.

The AFCA has selected an All-America team since 1945 and currently selects teams in all four divisions. The team is chosen exclusively by a panel of college football coaches.

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Seven Named To Football Gazette All-West Region Squad

RELEASED: Tuesday, December 17, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Seven Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football players have been named to the 2002 Football Gazette All-West Region First Team. Individuals receiving recognition included: UW-Eau Claire's Mike Bestul, Brad Gawronski and Brad Newton, UW-La Crosse's Thaddeus Rego, UW-Platteville's Matt Kent, UW-Stout's Ben Knepper and Jamie Spielman.

Gawronski, a senior linebacker from Reedsburg, Wis. (Webb H.S.), totaled 62 tackles this season, including seven tackles for loss and one interception.

Newton, a senior tight end from Baldwin, Wis. (Baldwin-Woodville H.S.), earned All-West Region first team honors for the second straight season after compiling 457 yards on 39 receptions and four touchdowns.

Rego, a senior defensive lineman from Reedsburg, Wis., was named the 2002 WIAC Player of the Year and led the Eagles in tackles for loss (11-46 yards) and sacks (5-34 yards), while ranking third on the squad with 65 total tackles.

Knepper, a junior offensive lineman from Rice Lake, Wis., spearheaded a Blue Devil offense that led the league with 28.5 points per game and ranked second with 224.8 rushing yards per contest.

The Football Gazette also named a second team and third team. Individuals from the WIAC named to the second team included: UW-La Crosse's Chris Ahrens, UW-Oshkosh's Nick Carlson, UW-Stevens Point's Scott Krause and Dillon Maney and UW-Stout's Josh Towner.

Individuals from the WIAC named to the third team included: UW-Eau Claire's Nick Goeser, UW-La Crosse's Matt Makaryk and Josh Moon, UW-Oshkosh's Justin Schneider, UW-Stevens Point's Nick Haffele, UW-Stout's Joe Kersten and Tyrone Rhone and UW-Whitewater's Chad Nimm and Chad Wurth.

A total of 91 players were chosen for the Football Gazette's All-West Region team by sports information directors from the 57 schools that sponsor football in the West Region. The All-West Region first and second team selections will now be on the national ballot used to select the Football Gazette 2002 All-America Team, which will be named later this month.

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UW-Eau Claire's Bestul and UW-Oshkosh's Schneider Named Football Academic All-America RELEASED: Friday, December 6, 2002

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Mike Bestul and UW-Oshkosh's Justin Schneider have been named to the 2002 Verizon/CoSIDA Football Academic All-America First Team.

Bestul, a senior offensive lineman from Chippewa Falls, Wis., (Chi-Hi H.S.), carries a 3.93 grade point average while majoring in kinesiology. He is the first Blugold student-athlete to earn first team academic all-america honors twice in a career, after earning first team honors last season. Bestul earned the WIAC Max Sparger Scholar-Athlete Award earlier this season.

Bestul was a unanimous selection to the All-WIAC First Team this year after helping the Blugold offense rank third in the league in passing (207.2 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (352.8 yards per game) and scoring (26.7 points per game).

Schneider, a senior defensive lineman from West Bend, Wis. (East H.S.), is majoring in accounting and finance with a 3.70 grade point average. He led UW-Oshkosh with 12 tackles for losses of 26 yards, six sacks and six pass breaks-ups this year, while ranking third with 58 tackles.

Schneider is the fourth football player from UW-Oshkosh to earn first team honors on the all-academic team, joining Craig Pierstorff (1999 and 1998), Ryan Hinske (1997) and Rob Stoltz (1996).

The academic all-america team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA athletes from around the country and is voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

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Four Selected To Participate In Aztec Bowl

RELEASED: Thursday, December 5, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Four Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football players have been selected to participate in the 2002 Aztec Bowl in Torreon, Mexico on December 14.

Individuals selected by the American Football Coaches Association to represent the United States in the all-star game include: UW-Eau Claire's Brad Newton, UW-La Crosse's Thaddeus Rego, UW-Stevens Point's Dillon Maney and UW-Stout's Jamie Spielman. All four were All-WIAC First Team unanimous selections this season, with Rego being named the league's player of the year.

The United States team is coached by Ron Schipper, former head coach at Central (Iowa).

The Aztec Bowl is the traditional season-ending game for Mexico's college football schedule. The game has been played 31 times since 1947 with the last five contests featuring the United States-Mexico match-up. Mexico faced a mixture of NCAA and NAIA colleges, junior colleges, armed forces teams and international teams in the 26 Aztec Bowls prior to 1997.

This year's game will kick-off at noon CST on December 14 and will be played at Estadio Infierno Azul in Torreon. The game can be heard via a webcast that can be accessed at either www.afca.com, www.tsrnsports.com, www.d3football.com or www.aztecbowl.com.

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UW-Stout's Spielman Named Finalist For Gagliardi Award

RELEASED: Friday, November 29, 2002

Menomonie, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Stout senior linebacker Jamie Spielman has been named one of 10 finalists for the Gagliardi Award, the NCAA Division III version of the Heisman Award.

Spielman was the Blue Devils' leading tackler with 86 tackles, 59 of them solo. He led the WIAC in tackles for loss (21-70 yards) and was second in sacks (7-50 yards). Spielman is a two-time All-WIAC First Team selection and was named to the league's second team twice.

The award, presented to the outstanding football player in NCAA Division III, honors excellence in athletics, academics and community service. The award program is sponsored by Jostens, Inc. and conducted by the J-Club of Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn. This year's winner will be presented in Salem, Va., on Thursday, December 19, at a luncheon kicking off festivities for the NCAA Division III Amos Alonzo Stagg Bowl national championship game, played there on Saturday, Dec. 21.

The Gagliardi Trophy is named for Saint John's University head football coach John Gagliardi, the winningest active coach in college football and second all-time with 398 career victories, as of Nov. 27, in 54 seasons as a collegiate head coach.

The other finalists for the award include: Jeremy Boyce, Trinity (Texas); Ed Cracchiolo, FDU-Florham; Blake Elliott, St. John's; Andrew Hilliard, St. Thomas; Dan Pincelli, Hartwick; Dan Pugh, Mount Union; Jamie Spielman, UW-Stout; Chris Sullivan, Washington and Lee; Craig Swanson, Hobart; Steven Wilson, King's.

The Gagliardi Trophy winner is determined by a 30-member national selection committee, which includes college coaches, former athletes, college administrators, business leaders and members of the media.

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UW-Eau Claire's Bestul and UW-Stout's Ralph Named Football Co-Scholar-Athletes

RELEASED: Monday, November 25, 2002

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire's Mike Bestul and UW-Stout's Mark Ralph have been named 2002 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Max Sparger Football Co-Scholar-Athletes, it was announced recently by WIAC Commissioner Gary Karner.

Bestul, a senior offensive lineman from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), is majoring in kinesiology and carries a 3.93 grade point average. He earned Academic All-America First Team honors last season and was recently named to the 2002 Academic All-District squad. Bestul is a three-time member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll and has been named to UW-Eau Claire's Dean's List multiple semesters.

Bestul, a team captain, recently was a unanimous selection to the All-WIAC team after helping the Blugold offense ranked third in the league in passing (207.2 yards per game) and fourth in total offense (352.8) and scoring (26.7). He earned All-WIAC Second Team honors last season.

Bestul is a member of the Golden Key National Honor Society and the Student-Athlete Advisory Committee at UW- Eau Claire.

Bestul becomes the third football player from UW-Eau Claire to win the conference's scholar-athlete award, joining Bob Schmidt (2001) and Steve Rohrscheib (1992).

Ralph, a senior linebacker from Colfax, Wis., carries a 3.50 grade point average in his packaging engineering major. He has been named to the Dean's List at UW-Stout five semesters and has also been a member of the WIAC Scholastic Honor Roll. Ralph has earned a number of scholarships while attending UW-Stout, including the Packaging Forum Scholarship.

Ralph was recently named to the All-WIAC Second Team for the second straight season after helping the Blue Devils to a 7-3 overall record. He was second on the team this year with 59 tackles and 19 tackles for loss, including four quarterback sacks. Ralph was a team captain for the 2002 squad after being named the team's Outstanding Linebacker last season.

Also nominated for the scholar-athlete award were: UW-Oshkosh's Justin Schneider and Kris Johnson and UW- Whitewater's Dan Flanagan.

The WIAC Scholar-Athlete Award is sponsored by Culver's. In order to be nominated for the scholar-athlete award, a student-athlete must have a minimum 3.25 grade point average, be in their last year of competition, or on schedule to graduate this academic year, and have competed for a minimum of two years. # # # # #

UW-La Crosse's Rego Tops All-WIAC Football Team

RELEASED: Wednesday, November 20, 2002

Madison, Wis.--University of Wisconsin-La Crosse's Thaddeus Rego was named the 2002 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) Player of the Year, headlining the All-WIAC Football Team, which was recently selected by the league coaches.

Rego, a senior defensive lineman, helped the Eagles to their 31st league title in school history and a spot in the NCAA playoffs. He was a unanimous selection after leading the Eagles with 11 tackles for loss during the 2002 regular season. He also tied for the team lead with five quarterback sacks and finished third with 61 tackles.

A first-time All-WIAC selection in 2002, Rego has 122 career tackles, including 29 tackles for loss and nine quarterback sacks. His 29 career tackles for loss is tied for 11th in school history.

Rego becomes the eighth player in UW-La Crosse football history to win the conference player of the year honor, joining Jared Arn (1999), Mike Maslowski (1996), Jason Gonnion (1993), Jason Janke (1992), Dave Draxler (1978), Greg Gerber (1974) and Jim Shattuck (1973).

Matt Makaryk, Matt Rizzo, Mike Smith, Chris Ahrens, Adam Schneider and Josh Moon also received first team honors, while helping the Eagles to their first playoff spot since 1999.

Makaryk, a senior quarterback, started for the first time in his collegiate career this season and has completed 161 passes for 2,397 yards and a league-leading 19 touchdowns. His 2,397 passing yards rank him second in the conference this season and is the second highest total in school history. Makaryk also ranks second in the league with 250.2 yards per game of total offense and the mark is the second highest total in school history.

Rizzo, a senior wide receiver, earned first team honors for the second straight season. He became UW-La Crosse's career leader with 136 receptions this year and set a school single season record with 77 receptions in 2001. Rizzo has 53 catches for 556 yards and four touchdowns this season.

Smith, a senior fullback, has 171 rushing yards on 43 carries this year with four touchdowns.

Ahrens, a junior offensive lineman, has helped UW-La Crosse average 28.2 points per game, the Eagles' highest scoring average since 1997 (35.3).

Schneider, a sophomore linebacker, leads the league with 91 tackles. He has six tackles for loss with four pass break-ups and one interception to his credit this year.

Moon, a senior defensive back, has recorded 43 tackles this year, including three for loss. He is tied for the team lead with three interceptions, while breaking up five passes.

UW-Stevens Point's Cory Flisakowski, Scott Krause, Jason VanderVelden, Dillon Maney and Nick Haffele all earned first team honors as the Pointers posted their 14th winning mark (6-4 overall) in the last 15 seasons.

Flisakowski, a sophomore all-purpose back, ranked third in the league with 142.9 all-purpose yards per contest. He had a conference record-tying 99-yard kickoff return this season against UW-La Crosse. Flisakowski also tied a school record this year when he scored four touchdowns against UW-River Falls.

Krause, a junior quarterback, led the league in passing efficiency (130.6) and totaled 2,001 yards passing (200.1 per game) with 17 touchdown throws. He also rushed for seven touchdowns on the season. Krause was a honorable mention pick a year ago.

VanderVelden, a junior fullback, was the team's leading rusher with 456 yards on 124 carries and had five touchdown runs. He earned second team honors last season. Maney, a senior defensive back, was a unanimous selection as he earned first team honors for the third straight season. He had 73 tackles this season, including two for loss. Maney intercepted three passes and returned a fumble 95 yards. He also was recognized as a honorable mention pick at a punter this year.

Haffele, a junior linebacker, led the conference with 98 tackles this season. He also had 15 tackles for loss and four quarterback sacks. Haffele was a second team pick last year.

UW-Stout's Luke Bundgaard, Ben Knepper, Jamie Spielman, Joe Kersten and Tyrone Rhone helped the Blue Devils to a 7-3 overall mark during the 2002 campaign.

Bundgaard, a junior running back, was a unanimous selection after rushing for 879 yards on 184 carries with 10 touchdowns. He is the school's all-time leading rusher with 2,966 yards. Bundgaard was a second team selection last year, after earning first team honors in 2000.

Knepper, a junior offensive lineman, was also a unanimous pick for a Blue Devil offense that led the league with 28.5 points per game and ranked second with 224.8 rushing yards per contest.

Spielman spearheaded a Blue Devil defense that led the league in total defense (239.6), scoring defense (15.4) and rushing defense (50.0). He was a unanimous pick at linebacker after leading the league with 21 tackles for loss. He amassed 86 tackles this season, including seven quarterback sacks. Spielman was a first team pick last year, after earning second team accolades the previous two seasons.

Kersten, a junior defensive lineman, totaled 22 tackles, including 10 tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks. He was a second team pick last season.

Rhone, a senior defensive back, had 41 tackles, six pass break-ups and four interceptions this season.

UW-Eau Claire's Brad Newton, Mike Bestul, Brad Gawronski and Nick Goeser helped the team to its second straight 8-2 overall mark.

Newton was a unanimous selection at tight end after compiling 457 yards on 39 receptions and four touchdowns. He earned first team honors for the second straight season.

Bestul, a senior offensive lineman, was a unanimous selection for a squad that ranked third in the league with 207.2 passing yards per game and fourth with 26.7 points per contest. He was a second team honoree a year ago.

Gawronski, a senior linebacker, was a unanimous selection after totaling 62 tackles this season, including seven tackles for loss. He also added two interceptions. Gawronski was a first team pick a year ago, after earning second team honors in 2000 and honorable mention accolades in 1999.

Goeser, a senior defensive lineman, had 47 tackles, including seven tackles for loss and two sacks this season. He was a honorable mention selection in 2000.

UW-Whitewater's Chad Wurth, Kyle Haug, Chad Nimm and Dan Flanagan earned first team honors, helping the Warhawks to their third straight 5-5 overall record.

Wurth, a junior, earned unanimous first team accolades as a running back and was also selected as a kicker. He was a second team selection at running back the last two seasons. Wurth totaled 1,093 yards (109.3 per game) on a league-high 259 carries this year and also leads the league with 9.5 points per contest. Wurth is the second player in UW-Whitewater history to surpass the 1,000-yard mark in each of his first three seasons. As a kicker, Wurth was 24-for-25 on extra points this season and 11-for-17 on field goals with a long kick of 47 yards, the longest in the league this year.

Haug, a junior punter, ranks second in the league with 36.9 yards per punt. He had a long punt of 63 yards this season and placed 15 kicks inside the 20-yard line. Haug was a honorable mention pick last season.

Nimm, a junior center, helped the Warhawks rank third in the league in with 161.3 rushing yards per game during the 2002 campaign. Flanagan, a senior defensive lineman, led the team with nine tackles for loss and five quarterback sacks. He totaled 58 tackles on the season and blocked two kicks. Flanagan was a first team pick in 2000.

UW-Oshkosh had a pair of individuals named to the first team. Justin Schneider, a senior defensive lineman, led the Titans with 12 tackles for loss, six quarterback sacks and three forced fumbles. He was third on the squad with 58 tackles.

Nick Carlson, a senior defensive back, had a team-leading four interceptions and 85 tackles this season, including five tackles for loss and two quarterback sacks. He earned honorable mention honors last year.

UW-River Falls' John Peterlik and Shaun Izdepski both earned first team honors. Peterlik, a sophomore running back, leads the conference with 1,114 rushing yards (111.4 per game) and 1,454 all-purpose yards (145.4 per game), while ranking third with 7.2 points per game.

Izdepski, a senior offensive lineman, helped the Falcons lead the league with 234.3 rushing yards per contest.

UW-Platteville's Matt Kent, a junior wide receiver, earned first team honors for the second consecutive season. He leads the league with 65 receptions (7.22 per game), 1,139 receiving yards (126.6 per game) and 13 touchdown catches, while ranking second with 145.3 all-purpose yards per game and 9.1 points per contest. Kent is the first player in UW-Platteville history to surpass 1,000 receiving yards. He established a school record with 288 receiving yards against UW-Whitewater this season.

Named to the second team offense were: UW-Eau Claire's Nick Diciaula (Jr., K), Jason Foemmel (Sr., WR) and Mike LaBarbera (Jr., All-Purp.), UW-La Crosse's Ross Moline (Sr., RB) and Bryan Morris (Sr., Punter), UW- Oshkosh's Chad Lindsley (Jr., TE) and Steve Wagner (Sr., WR), UW-Platteville's Stu Herbst (Sr., OL), Andy Paulsen (Sr., OL) and Tom Stetzer (Jr., QB), UW-Stevens Point's Kurt Kielblock (So., RB), UW-Stout's Ryan Englebert (Fr., RB), Clint Greenebaum (Jr., OL), Matt Schaeuble (So., FB) and Josh Towner (Jr., C) and UW- Whitewater's Randy Borgardt (Sr., QB) and Matt Buenning (Jr., OL).

Named to the second team defense were: UW-Eau Claire's Austin Crow (Jr., DL), Mike LaBarbera (Jr., DB) and Justin Miller (Sr., DB), UW-La Crosse's Jeremy Duerr (Jr., DL) and Dustin Powell (Jr., LB), UW-Oshkosh's Craig Korth (So., LB), UW-River Falls' Jeff Horton (Jr., DL), UW-Stevens Point's Clint Bakken (So., DL), UW-Stout's Eric Moe (Sr., DB), Matt Mueller (Jr., DL) and Mark Ralph (Sr., LB) and UW-Whitewater's Andy Lobdell (Jr., LB) and Fulton Bell III (So., DB).

UW-La Crosse head coach Larry Terry was named the George Chryst Coach of the Year by the league coaches. He led the Eagles to their 31st conference title in school history and first playoff appearance since 1999. Terry has compiled an 18-12 overall and 15-6 league record in his three seasons at the helm of the Eagles.

2002 All-WIAC Football Team

FIRST TEAM OFFENSE Name, School, Position, Height, Weight, Year, Hometown (High School) **Brad Newton, Eau Claire, Tight End, 6-5, 245, Senior, Baldwin (Baldwin-Woodville) Chris Ahrens, La Crosse, Offensive Line, 6-1, 270, Junior, Clear Lake **Mike Bestul, Eau Claire, Offensive Line, 5-11, 275, Senior, Chippewa Falls (Chi-Hi) Shaun Izdepski, River Falls, Offensive Line, 6-0, 265, Senior, Conrath (Flambeau) **Ben Knepper, Stout, Offensive Line, 6-4, 305, Junior, Rice Lake Chad Nimm, Whitewater, Center, 6-1, 295, Junior, Johnson Creek Scott Krause, Stevens Point, Quarterback, 6-3, 208, Junior, Waunakee Matt Makaryk, La Crosse, Quarterback, 6-2, 195, Senior, Plainfield (Tri-County) **Luke Bundgaard, Stout, Running Back, 6-3, 215, Junior, Weyerhaeuser (Bruce) John Peterlik, River Falls, Running Back, 5-8, 164, Sophomore, Cadott **Chad Wurth, Whitewater, Running Back, 5-9, 185, Junior, Monona (Monona Grove) Mike Smith, La Crosse, Fullback, 6-1, 225, Senior, Portage Jason VanderVelden, Stevens Point, Fullback, 6-1, 205, Junior, Winneconne Matt Kent, Platteville, Wide Receiver, 5-11, 188, Junior, Gratiot (Black Hawk) Matt Rizzo, La Crosse, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 210, Senior, Kenosha (Tremper) Kyle Haug, Whitewater, Punter, 6-0, 205, Junior, Waukesha (Memorial) Chad Wurth, Whitewater, Kicker, 5-9, 185, Junior, Monona (Monona Grove) Cory Flisakowski, Stevens Point, All-Purpose, 6-1, 209, Sophomore, Stevens Point (SPASH) **Unanimous Selection

SECOND TEAM OFFENSE Chad Lindsley, Oshkosh, Tight End, 6-3, 250, Junior, Oconomowoc Matt Buenning, Whitewater, Offensive Line, 6-7, 300, Junior, Green Bay (Bay Port) Clint Greenebaum, Stout, Offensive Line, 6-2, 280, Junior, Hartland (Arrowhead) Stu Herbst, Platteville, Offensive Line, 6-1, 275, Senior, Appleton (West) Andy Paulsen, Platteville, Offensive Line, 6-3, 295, Senior, Blue River (Riverdale) Josh Towner, Stout, Center, 6-2, 285, Junior, La Crosse (Onalaska) Randy Borgardt, Whitewater, Quarterback, 6-0, 220, Senior, Racine (Park) Tom Stetzer, Platteville, Quarterback, 6-2, 205, Junior, Black River Falls Ryan Englebert, Stout, Running Back, 6-0, 235, Freshman, Sturgeon Bay (Southern Door) Kurt Kielblock, Stevens Point, Running Back, 5-10, 182, Sophomore, Scandinavia (Iola-Scandinavia) Ross Moline, La Crosse, Running Back, 6-0, 225, Senior, La Crosse (Aquinas) Matt Schaeuble, Stout, Fullback, 6-2, 230, Sophomore, Wrightstown Jason Foemmel, Eau Claire, Wide Receiver, 6-0, 200, Senior, Marshfield Steve Wagner, Oshkosh, Wide Receiver, 6-4, 200, Senior, Lomira Bryan Morris, La Crosse, Punter, 6-1, 180, Senior, Onalaska Nick Diciaula, Eau Claire, Kicker, 5-10, 170, Junior, Brookfield (Central) Mike LaBarbera, Eau Claire, All-Purpose, 5-10, 175, Junior, Eau Claire (Memorial)

HONORABLE MENTION OFFENSE Chester Janke, La Crosse, Tight End, 6-3, 265, Junior, Black River Falls Adam Whittaker, Whitewater, Tight End, 6-3, 245, Junior, Muskego Brad Roy, River Falls, Offensive Line, 6-3, 240, Senior, Elk River, Minn. Andy Jepsen, Eau Claire, Center, 6-1, 270, Senior, Centuria (Unity) Nels Fredrickson, Eau Claire, Quarterback, 6-1, 195, Sophomore, Burnsville, Minn. Nick Ohman, Stout, Quarterback, 6-2, 210, Sophomore, Glenwood City Nick Wara, Oshkosh, Quarterback, 6-3, 215, Sophomore, Oshkosh (North) Scott Burnoski, La Crosse, Wide Receiver, 6-1, 185, Sophomore, Rochester, Minn. (Century) Eric Stauss, Whitewater, Wide Receiver, 5-9, 165, Sophomore, Marinette Dillon Maney, Stevens Point, Punter, 6-3, 226, Senior, Three Lakes Jason Borchardt, Platteville, Kicker, 5-10, 219, Sophomore, West Allis (Nathan Hale) Bryan Morris, La Crosse, Kicker, 6-1, 180, Senior, Onalaska Roman Johnson, River Falls, All-Purpose, 5-10, 170, Sophomore, Clearwater, Fla. Nick Kilton, Oshkosh, All-Purpose, 6-2, 210, Freshman, Waukesha (North)

FIRST TEAM DEFENSE Name, School, Position, Height, Weight, Year, Hometown (High School) Dan Flanagan, Whitewater, Defensive Line, 6-2, 255, Senior, Mazomanie (Wisconsin Heights) Nick Goeser, Eau Claire, Defensive Line, 6-3, 255, Senior, Scandinavia (Iola-Scandinavia) Joe Kersten, Stout, Defensive Line, 6-5, 290, Junior, Menasha (Fox Valley Lutheran) **Thaddeus Rego, La Crosse, Defensive Line, 6-2, 285, Senior, Reedsburg Justin Schneider, Oshkosh, Defensive Line, 6-0, 240, Senior, West Bend (East) **Brad Gawronski, Eau Claire, Linebacker, 6-1, 215, Senior, Reedsburg (Webb) Nick Haffele, Stevens Point, Linebacker, 5-11, 233, Junior, Monroe Adam Schneider, La Crosse, Linebacker, 6-1, 235, Sophomore, Waterloo **Jamie Spielman, Stout, Linebacker, 6-2, 230, Senior, Menomonie Nick Carlson, Oshkosh, Defensive Back, 6-1, 185, Senior, Menasha **Dillon Maney, Stevens Point, Defensive Back, 6-3, 226, Senior, Three Lakes Josh Moon, La Crosse, Defensive Back, 6-0, 195, Senior, Wautoma Tyrone Rhone, Stout, Defensive Back, 5-10, 180, Senior, Milwaukee (Vincent) **Unanimous Selection

SECOND TEAM DEFENSE Clint Bakken, Stevens Point, Defensive Line, 6-3, 284, Sophomore, Boulder Junction (Lakeland) Austin Crow, Eau Claire, Defensive Line, 6-3, 225, Junior, Woodbury, Minn. Jeremy Duerr, La Crosse, Defensive Line, 6-1, 295, Junior, Pittsville Jeff Horton, River Falls, Defensive Line, 6-4, 215, Junior, Oakdale, Minn. (Tartan) Matt Mueller, Stout, Defensive Line, 6-3, 260, Junior, Chaska, Minn. Craig Korth, Oshkosh, Linebacker, 6-0, 220, Sophomore, Menasha Andy Lobdell, Whitewater, Linebacker, 6-4, 245, Junior, Lena, Ill. Dustin Powell, La Crosse, Linebacker, 6-1, 230, Junior, Norwalk (Tomah) Mark Ralph, Stout, Linebacker, 6-2, 230, Senior, Colfax Fulton Bell III, Whitewater, Defensive Back, 5-11, 180, Sophomore, Racine (Case) Mike LaBarbera, Eau Claire, Defensive Back, 5-10, 175, Junior, Eau Claire (Memorial) Justin Miller, Eau Claire, Defensive Back, 6-1, 210, Senior, Woodbury, Minn. Eric Moe, Stout, Defensive Back, 6-0, 190, Senior, Hixton (Whitehall)

HONORABLE MENTION DEFENSE Derick Bielmeier, Oshkosh, Defensive Line, 6-4, 255, Junior, Wautoma Dustin Drexel, Oshkosh, Defensive Line, 6-1, 250, Sophomore, Campbellsport Jarrid Gohs, Stout, Defensive Line, 6-4, 260, Senior, Franklin (Oak Creek) Craig Johnson, Stevens Point, Defensive Line, 6-4, 230, Sophomore, Green Bay (Preble) Dan Larson, Eau Claire, Defensive Line, 6-2, 245, Senior, Baldwin (Baldwin-Woodville) Doug Mittelstaedt, Stevens Point, Defensive Line, 6-2, 301, Junior, Reedsburg Mike Saddy, Whitewater, Defensive Line, 6-1, 250, Senior, Muskego Mitch Repka, Platteville, Linebacker, 6-0, 205, Junior, Holcombe (Lake Holcombe) Rob Beauchaine, La Crosse, Defensive Back, 5-9, 180, Junior, Circle Pines, Minn. (Centennial) Luke Miska, River Falls, Defensive Back, 5-9, 193, Senior, Silver Lake, Minn. (Glencoe-Silver Lake)

Player of the Year: Thaddeus Rego of La Crosse Max Sparger Co-Scholar-Athletes: Mike Bestul of Eau Claire and Mark Ralph of Stout George Chryst Coach of the Year: Larry Terry of La Crosse

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UW-La Crosse Football Will Face Coe In NCAA Playoffs

RELEASED: Sunday, November 17, 2002

La Crosse, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team will travel to Cedar Rapids, Iowa to face Coe College Saturday, November 23 in the first round of the NCAA Division III Playoffs. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.

UW-La Crosse (7-3, 6-1 WIAC) clinched a berth in the playoffs after winning its 31st Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title in school history with a 28-27 victory at UW-Stout November 16.

UW-La Crosse returns to the national playoffs after a two-year absence. The Eagles fell 38-17 to Central (Iowa) in 1999 in La Crosse. UW-La Crosse will be making its eighth appearance in the NCAA III Playoffs (1983, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996 and 1999). The Eagles have compiled a 13-5 record in the NCAA III playoffs with national championships in 1992 and 1995. In addition, the Eagles have nine NAIA II playoff appearances in school history. They compiled a 12-6 mark in the NAIA post-season for a combined playoff record of 25-11.

Coe earned a berth into the national playoffs after capturing the Iowa Intercollegiate Athletic Conference title with an 8-1 conference mark. The Kohawks finished 9-1 overall with their only loss coming at Central College, 21-20. Coe is 5-0 at home this season.

Coe is making its fourth appearance in the NCAA III Playoffs with its last berth coming in 1993. The Kohawks are 0-3 in NCAA III Playoffs games.

This will be the first ever meeting between the Eagles and Kohawks.

The winner of the UW-La Crosse/Coe game will play the winner of Redlands (Calif.) at St. John's (Minn.).

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UW-La Crosse Captures League Football Championship Menomonie, Wis.--The University of Wisconsin-La Crosse football team captured the 2002 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) championship with a thrilling 28-27 victory over UW-Stout at Don and Nona Williams Stadium on Saturday, November 16.

The victory gives the Eagles the conference's automatic bid to the NCAA Division III playoffs and their 31st title in league history. The conference title is the team's first since the 1999 campaign, the same year the Eagles last appeared in the national tournament. UW-La Crosse claimed the NCAA Division III national championship in 1995 and 1992.

UW-La Crosse got on the board in the first quarter when Matt Makaryk completed a 55-yard touchdown pass to Scott Burnoski to finish a five-play 90-yard drive. The Eagles extended their lead to 14-0 on a two-yard touchdown pass from Makaryk to Andrew Lehman with 7:08 remaining in the second quarter.

UW-Stout (7-3, 4-3) answered with 55 seconds remaining in the half when Nick Ohman scored on a one-yard touchdown run.

UW-La Crosse's Jason Kettenhofen returned the opening kickoff of the second half 78 yards to the Blue Devil 12- yard line to set up Mike Smith's one-yard touchdown plunge to put the Eagles ahead 21-7 early in the third quarter.

UW-Stout scored 14 unanswered points on Seth Mattison's 52-yard touchdown reception and Matt Schaeuble's one- yard touchdown run.

UW-La Crosse's Ross Moline scored on a three-yard run to put the Eagles ahead 28-21 at 7:09 of the fourth quarter.

Trailing 28-21, UW-Stout (7-3, 4-3) drove 85 yards in 16 plays and Luke Bundgaard plunged in from one-yard out to pull the Blue Devils within one point with 37 second remaining. Only moments earlier, it was announced over the public address system that UW-Oshkosh had defeated UW-Whitewater, 21-20, putting all eyes on the outcome of the UW-La Crosse/UW-Stout game for the conference's automatic NCAA playoff bid.

Following a timeout, Blue Devil head coach Ed Meierkort sent the regular unit back in because holder Eric Moe had been knocked out of the game earlier and did not return. Quarterback Nick Ohman rolled to his left, had blockers in front of him, as well as Eagle defenders, dived to the end zone ball first, but was about a foot short on the two-point conversion attempt.

UW-Stout did not recover the onside kick, but did stop UW-La Crosse on downs, forcing a punt with only 14 seconds remaining. Two Blue Devil "Hail Mary" passes fell incomplete.

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Six Earn Football Academic All-District Accolades

RELEASED: Friday, November 15, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Six Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) football student-athletes have been named to the 2002 Verizon/CoSIDA Academic All-District Five Team. UW-Eau Claire's Mike Bestul and UW- Oshkosh's Kris Johnson and Justin Schneider were named to the first team. UW-Eau Claire's Austin Crow and UW- La Crosse's Andrew Lehman received second team honors, while UW-Platteville's Mitch Repka was named to the third team.

The team is comprised of all NCAA Division II, Division III and NAIA players from Wisconsin, Illinois, Indiana and Minnesota and voted on by members of the College Sports Information Directors of America (CoSIDA).

Bestul, a senior offensive lineman from Chippewa Falls, Wis. (Chi-Hi H.S.), is majoring in kinesiology and carries a 3.93 grade point average. He earned Academic All-America First Team honors last season. Bestul has helped the Blugolds average 141 yards per game rushing and 217 yards per contest passing.

Johnson, a senior punter from Florence, Wis., is majoring in physical education and carries a 3.71 grade point average. He earned Academic All-District First Team honors for the second straight season. Johnson has uncorked 57 punts this season for 2,042 yards (35.8 yards per punt) and has placed 11 kicks inside the 20-yard line.

Schneider, a senior defensive lineman from West Bend, Wis. (East H.S.), is majoring in accounting and finance with a 3.70 grade point average. He leads the Titans with five sacks and ranks second on the team with nine tackles for losses of 28 yards. Schneider has added 48 tackles and two forced fumbles and one fumble recovery this year.

Bestul, Schneider and Johnson are now eligible for Academic All-American honors.

Crow, a junior defensive lineman, is majoring in biology and holds a 3.39 grade point average. He leads the Blugolds with eight tackles for losses and five sacks and has added 52 tackles this season.

Lehman, a sophomore tight end from Onalaska, Wis., is majoring in pre-medicine and pre-physical therapy and carries a 4.00 grade point average. He has 10 receptions for 184 yards and one touchdown during the 2002 campaign.

Repka, a junior linebacker from Holcombe, Wis. (Lake Holcombe H.S.), is majoring in mechanical engineering with a 3.71 grade point average. Repka leads the Pioneers in tackles with 75, including 10 for losses and three quarterback sacks. He has also blocked a field goal attempt, intercepted a pass and forced a fumble.

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UW-Stout's Ohman Named To D3football.com and Don Hansen's Team of the Week

UW-Stout quarterback Nick Ohman accounted for 325 total yards of offense, ran for two TDs, passed for two more, and completed a two-point PAT, to have a hand in 26 points in Stout's win to remain in a three-way tie for first place in the WIAC. For his efforts, Ohman was named as a Don Hansen National Weekly Football Gazette player of the week and was named to the D3football.com Team of the Week.

Ohman, a sophomore from Glenwood City, Wis., led all rushers with 125 yards in 11 attempts and rushed for TDs of 2- and 40-yards. He was 21-of-31 for 220 yards by the air and had TD throws of 12- and 7-yards. Ohman's longest completion was 26 yards as he completed passes to nine different receivers.

On Stout's longest play of the game, Ohman scrambled to his right out of the pocket, lost a shoe and pitched the ball back to tailback Ryan Englebert who raced 48 yards for a TD.

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WIAC Releases Findings on Controversial Ending

RELEASED: Tuesday, November 5, 2002

Madison, Wis.--Following an extensive review of game tapes as well as information supplied by the officiating crew and others in attendance, the WIAC released its findings on the controversial ending to the October 26th football game between UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater.

The facts and findings are summarized as follows:

With a less than a minute remaining in the game, UW-La Crosse was in possession of the ball holding a 20-14 lead over UW-Whitewater. UW-La Crosse failed to pick-up a first down and prepared to punt. The “ready for play” signal (which is what triggers the start of the 25-second clock) was given by the referee with approximately 30 seconds left on the running game clock. The game clock was then stopped by the referee and side judge with approximately 20 seconds left when it was determined that the 25-second clock had not started. The referee subsequently gave the signal to reset and start the 25-second clock, but chose to delay starting the game clock until the snap of the ball. In so doing, the officials applied NCAA Football Playing Rule 3.2.2-e which stipulates that the game clock is to start at the “snap” in the event the 25-second clock is interrupted.

However, following numerous discussions with the secretary rules-editor for the NCAA Football Rules Committee and others, it has been interpreted that since the 25-second clock had not started, it was therefore not “interrupted” and rule 3.2.2-e would not apply. Furthermore, rule 3.2.2-c permits the referee to “reset and appropriately start the game clock” assuming the referee has positive knowledge of the elapsed time. Consequently, the game clock should have been reset at approximately 30 seconds and the 25-second clock and the game clock started simultaneously.

“Obviously, there is a high degree of probability that the outcome of the game would have been different had the game clock been reset to 30 seconds and both clocks started simultaneously,” said Karner. “Nonetheless, there is no provision in the NCAA Football Playing Rules that allows for the outcome of a game to be overturned.”

Karner added, “While we do everything we can to prevent errors such as this from occurring, human error, whether it be on the part of officials, clock operators, coaches or players, is an inescapable element of the game. As such, there are numerous mistakes (including officiating errors) in every game played at every level. Even in the NFL, which has the benefit of an extra official and instant replay, there are at least a handful of officiating errors in each game. Unfortunately, this particular error occurred at a crucial point in the game and its effects were compounded by the improbable events that followed in the remaining 20 seconds of regulation play. Much like the Big Ten, Big 12, PAC-10 and NFL, the WIAC is a conference where parity and the competitiveness of the teams has resulted in the magnification of every single mistake.”

Karner also had high praise for the professionalism and cooperation exhibited by the administrations of both UW-La Crosse and UW-Whitewater with respect to the conference’s inquiry into this incident.

Any questions concerning the findings of this review should be directed to Dr. Gary Karner, WIAC Commissioner.

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Pointers and Titans to Play 100th Football Game Saturday

This is not your typical longtime college football rivalry, featuring old traditions, legendary finishes and plays that seem to get better and better over time.

Rather, this one is more known for such things as fumbles, blowouts, shutouts and even forfeits.

But, so what?

The University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point and University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh don’t seem to mind. The two schools will hook up again Saturday for the 100th time in an unusual all-time series that is the oldest between two non-private colleges in the NCAA Division III.

UW-Stevens Point leads the series with a 52-39-8 mark. Aside from the eight ties, there have been just six games decided by a field goal or less. Thirty-four of the matchups have been shutouts and the average margin of victory has been a sizeable 16 points.

Oh yeah, there have even been two forfeits.

But, either way, the two central Wisconsin institutions will become the 16th rivalry in Division III history to reach the century mark. The two have played since 1896 when they were called “normal” schools and it marks the second- longest rivalry between two Wisconsin colleges behind Lawrence University of Appleton and Ripon College.

The series could not have had a more fitting start with Stevens Point posting a 40-0 victory on Sept. 26, 1896. The lopsided score and shutout was only a sign of things to come.

They met again two weeks later on Oct. 10 with Oshkosh coming back for a 22-6 win, though that game also told of things to come when Stevens Point accused Oshkosh of using a student from the University of Chicago who was in town visiting friends and “the visit was conveniently arranged for the Oshkosh eleven, it seems,” according to the Pointer student newspaper.

The teams played twice a season several times in the early years with 14 shutouts in 20 meetings through 1909 before taking an eight-year hiatus. However, things didn’t change after the break as the Pointers won 33-0 in 1917.

Only once have the schools shared a conference title, coming in 1928 when they played to a 6-6 tie in front of 3,000 people, including over 250 from Oshkosh and bands from both schools at Athletic Field in Stevens Point. Oshkosh also tied Whitewater that season, but found that the Warhawks had used an ineligible player and gained a forfeit to move into a three-way tie with the Pointers and Superior.

On Oct. 10, 1931, Oshkosh beat the Pointers 8-6 in Oshkosh and Stevens Point was not at all pleased with the field conditions, which included nearly three-inch deep mud. Fans watched from automobiles in a steady downpour, according to the Stevens Point Journal, and the Pointer screamed for a rematch.

“One of the most disappointing games ever played, and under the worst possible conditions,” was written. “Point adherents will never admit that the result was a true trial of strength between the teams…At this time would it be amiss to clamor for a return game with Oshkosh?…Let the boys show that, weatherman permitting, they can beat that team.”

The Point students got their wish – Oshkosh came to Stevens Point on Nov. 11 – and beat up the Pointers 12-0.

However, it was the Titans’ last laugh in the series for a while as Oshkosh won just once in the next 23 meetings with four ties. In fact, Oshkosh didn’t win again in Stevens Point until 1960.

One of the ties was a scoreless draw in 1935, but a few weeks later it was learned that the Stevens Point players had played games against the Green Bay Packers and Chicago Bears. Coach Eddie Kotal apparently didn’t realize the fault of playing professional squads and Stevens Point was ousted from the conference that season, forfeiting the tie and its final two games.

The series has featured just two one-point games. The Pointers won 7-6 in 1950 when the school’s all-time leading rusher, freshman “Nubbs” Miller, came off the sideline after being struck in the head in the first quarter to kick a third period extra point for the game-winner. The other tight game was a 21-20 Pointer victory in 1958 in a game the Journal described as “a ferocity which could only be likened to an out and out war.”

Oshkosh took over the series in the 1960’s, winning 12 of 13 meetings, including 10 straight from 1967-76.

One of the wildest games came in 1972 when Oshkosh posted a 20-17 win in the sixth game of the season over a winless Pointer squad at Goerke Field en route to its most recent outright conference title. The Pointers led 17-14 with 1:39 left and were forced to punt from their own nine-yard line. Pointers’ punter Tony DelFatti dropped the snap in the endzone and Titans’ lineman Ken Nowoczynski recovered for the win.

The 1975 matchup was another wild affair as Pointers’ quarterback Reed Giordana attempted a then-NAIA single- game record 70 passes, completing just 26 in a 17-13 Titans’ win. Giordana took the snaps from center from current Pointer coach John Miech and Marshfield native Bruce King threw for one touchdown and ran for another for Oshkosh.

Another of the most unusual games in the series came in 1981 when the teams played an NFL-style 15-minute overtime period. The Pointers won the coin toss and drove 89 yards to win 20-14 in their first overtime game in school history and still the only overtime game the Titans have ever played. UW-Stevens Point won the game on a botched third down play when quarterback Brion Demski was supposed to dive in the middle of the field to set up a field goal, but bobbled the snap and pitched to Gerry O’Connor, who ran nine yards for the touchdown.

The 1987 matchup featured a school-record performance from Pointer receiver Theo Blanco, who caught 17 passes for 271 yards in a 52-30 win. However, following the season the Pointers were found to have used ineligible players and were forced to forfeit, giving the Titans their only win during a 16-year span – the longest winning streak in the series.

Blanco’s effort wasn’t the greatest individual performance in the rivalry as Pointer running back Jimmy Henderson set school records with 277 yards rushing and five touchdowns in a 76-6 romp in 1993. The point total and margin of victory are modern-day Stevens Point school records.

The greatest comeback in the series came in 1997 when Stevens Point trailed 33-17 with 4:30 left in the third quarter, but scored 33 unanswered points to post a 50-33 win in the highest-scoring game of the series.

Last year was supposed to mark the 100th meeting as the teams were scheduled to play twice in the same season for the first time since that 1931 rematch, but the game was scheduled for Sept. 15 and was canceled due to the Sept. 11 terrorist attacks.

Oshkosh has won the past two meetings by identical 38-31 scores, marking their first back-to-back wins since the 10-game win streak in 1976.

So, maybe they haven’t had the glory and pageantry of other college football rivalries, but there’s certainly plenty of history behind the longest rivalry in Wisconsin state colleges. written by Jim Strick, UW-Stevens Point Sports Information Director research by Jeremiah Olsen, UW-Stevens Point Sports Information

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Kent, Haffele Named To D3football.com Team of the Week

UW-Platteville's Matt Kent and UW-Stevens Point's Nick Haffele have been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for their performances in games on October 19.

Kent, a junior wide receiver from Gratiot, Wis. (Black Hawk H.S.), received the weekly honor for the second time this season. He was questionable most of the week because of an injured ankle, but played Saturday against UW- Whitewater and had the greatest day of receiving in UW-Platteville history when he caught 13 passes for a school record 288 yards and four touchdowns. He came within 15 yards of the WIAC single-game record.

Kent caught touchdown passes of 82, 24, 22 and 68 yards. He also caught a two-point conversion from Tom Stetzer and returned the favor by throwing a two-point pass to Stetzer. With 291 total yards and 28 points, Kent accounted for 78 percent of the Pioneers’ yards and 85 percent of their points.

Haffele, a junior linebacker from Monroe, Wis., achieved career highs in total tackles and unassisted tackles in the Pointers 38-27 victory over UW-River Falls. Haffele made 16 total tackles, 11 of which were solo efforts, and recorded two tackles behind the line of scrimmage for a total of nine yards lost. He also forced and recovered a fourth quarter fumble, which led to the Pointers final touchdown.

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UW-Stout's Moe Named To D3football.com Team of the Week

University of Wisconsin-Stout senior defensive back Eric Moe (Hixton, Wis./Whitehall) has been named to the D3football.com Team of the Week for his performance against UW-Oshkosh on October 12.

On a day that the UW-Stout defense shined in a 24-3 victory over UW-Oshkosh, no individual shone brighter than Moe, as he recorded three interceptions with a 34-yard touchdown return and 56 total yards in returns.

Entering the season, Moe had 15 career interceptions, tying him with the school record. He made his record-setting tally at the 5:31 mark of the second quarter, picking off a Nick Wara pass at the 50-yard line and returning it 22 yards to set up Stout’s second touchdown of the day.

Moe got his second interception just before halftime on the Stout 4-yard line, stopping an Oshkosh drive. He capped off his day with a 34-yard interception return for a touchdown with 2:08 remaining in the game.

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UW-Platteville's Kent Named To D3football.com Team of the Week

UW-Platteville wide receiver Matt Kent earned national honors for his performance against UW-Stout Saturday.

Kent, a junior from Gratiot, Wis. (Black Hawk High School), earned a spot on the D3Football.com Team of the Week. He caught three touchdown passes and a two-point conversion, lifting UW-Platteville to a 34-31 overtime win against 15th-ranked UW-Stout. Kent caught a 39-yard pass and conversion to tie the score at 21-21, then grabbed a 44-yard bomb with 3:17 left to tie the game again at 28-28. Finally, his 14-yard touchdown reception in overtime gave the Pioneers their first 1-0 league start since 1985.

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