Mustangs Shut Out in Loss to New Richmond

By Chad Zutter - Sports Reporter

Photo taken from the Menomonie Football Club Facebook page - used with permission

Menomonie, WI - The Menomonie Mustangs never entered the red zone in a 26-0 loss to defending Big Rivers Conference champion New Richmond Tigers. The Mustangs mustered just 158 yards on the ground despite entering the game averaging nearly 300 yards per game.

Both teams traded possessions early in the game, each turning the ball over on downs in the first half. Halfway through the second half, Austin Wittek covered 51 yards on two carries to put the Tigers on the scoreboard. The leading rusher in the Big Rivers Conference, Wittek, burst through the line and went untouched into the end zone from 25 yards out on the touchdown run.

New Richmond's special teams pinned the Mustangs deep into their own territory multiple times, making the Mustangs put together long drives to score. Menomonie moved the chains sporadically throughout the game, but wasn't able to cover large chunks of turf to get points.

On the Mustangs' opening drive, they had a first and ten from the 24-yard line when Aaron Howard was intercepted by Dillon Auvin at the six-yard line. Mustangs would not get that close to paydirt again.

Just two games remain for Menomonie, now 4-3 overall (2-3 BRC), in the regular season. The Mustangs travel to River Falls next week and host Chippewa Falls for senior night on the final night of the regular season, October 17th.

To follow where Menomonie may fall in the WIAA Division 3 playoffs, visit Andy Lavoy's playoff matrix website at https://andylavoy.com/football/.

Team	1st	2nd	3rd	4th
Menomonie	0	0	0	0
New Richmond	0	6	7	13

1st Quarter

No Scoring

2nd Quarter

NR - 25 yd run Wittek (Fagan kick blocked), 6:50

3rd Quarter

NR - 5 yd run Stellrecht (Fagan kick), 6:54

4th Quarter

NR - 6 yd run Wittek (pass failed), 9:23

NR - 13 yd run Brandt (Fagan kick), 1:50

Individual Stats

RUSHING (att-yds) – Menomonie: Butler (16-82), Pember (9-29), Erickson (3-14), Howard (4-11), Mikesell (3-6), Stoll (2-5), Asher (1-4), Goodman (1-4), Heim (1-3), Wachewicz (1-0); Totals (40-158) New Richmond: Wittek (25-220), Stellrecht (8-46), Brandt (7-43) ; Totals (17-6)

PASSING (comp-att-td-int-yds) – Menomonie: Howard (1-6-0-1-16); Totals (1-6-0-1-16) New Richmond: Stellrecht (7-13-0-0-62); Totals (7-13-0-0-62)

RECEIVING (rec-yds) – Menomonie: Pember (1-16); Totals (1-16) New Richmond: Quade (3-26), Komro (1-13), Yeske (1-11), Rode (1-11), Wittek (1-2); Totals (7-62)

3RD DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 4-11 / New Richmond: 6-11

4TH DOWN CONV: Menomonie: 0-2 / New Richmond: 1-2

TURNOVERS: Menomonie: INT - 1, FUM - 1  / New Richmond: INT - 0, FUM - 0

Game Notes:

• Menomonie leads all-time series 25-16-1

• Menomonie has now lost 6 games in a row versus New Richmond

• The last time Menomonie was shut out was August 25, 2022 when they lost Onalaska 14-0

• Coach Sinz’s overall coaching record is now 57-58; Menomonie 30-20 (2021-current), Eau Claire Memorial 17-20 (2017-2020), Mondovi 10-18 (2014-2016) 

• Records: Menomonie 4-3 (2-3 BRC) / New Richmond 5-2 (3-2 BRC)