1963 provided USF with a football season it would like to forget. New couch Len Bcattic had only ten days to mold a team before the encounter with a rugged club from Claremont Men's College in Los Angeles. Lack of sufficient practice showed on the field as the already injury riddled Dons fell 20-0. USF was simply unable to contain Claremont's big halfback Bob Ellis who scared all three of the visitor's touchdowns. The following week saw USF fall to Napa J.C, 16-0.
On October 11, the Dons finally found a winning combination as they ran over hapless Gavilan 38-0. The following week saw USF fall to Napa J.C., 16-0 combination as they ran over hapless Gavilan 38-0. Joe Petterle threw for five touchdowns, four to Doug Hauser, and ran over from the one yard line for the sixth. It was a well deserved victory over what must have been one of the "dirties" teams ever to play on Ulrich field.
The Dons lost their next three games to Moffatt Field, Cal at Davis, and Cal Lutheran. Except for the fine play of Kuebrich, Sullivan and Franco, the Dons had little to look forward to in their final game against Los Angeles Pacific. Nevertheless, it was a determined USF squad that arrived at Los Angeles International Airport USF won in the last minute of the game when Petterle hit Kuebrich with a touchdown pass. Phil Mooney was outstanding all day and was on the receiving end of aPetterle pass that set up the touchdown and the 8-0 victory.
Petterle threw for over 1000 yards on the season to break Ed Brown's record and his return gives the Dons reason to be optimistic about the 1964 season (TheDon).
Petterle was a native of Yuba City, and graduated in Political Science in 1965. He was a member of the Pep Band, Alpha Sigma Nu, Block Club, Who's Who Among Students in American Univerities and Colleges.Â
