Comedy connoisseurs beware, there is a new group of comedians out there looking for fame, fortune and laughs. Last night 13 budding University comedians opened at Schwab Auditorium in the third annual University Collegiate Comedy Competition.

"It surprised me that people actually laughed," said Robert Gates, the last contestant, after the show ended.

A crowd of about 200 gathered to watch, participate, and laugh in the search for the funniest college student in the United States. The winner gets an all-expense paid trip to New York City to perform in comedy clubs there, said Ray Steinman, the competition's national tour director.

The show was opened by a professional comic from Ohio, Dennis Butler, tastefully attired in bright red loafers. One of the highlights of his act was when he said a three year old's excrement was something "flies won't land on."

Butler also poked fun at former presidential candidate Massachussetts Gov. Michael S. Dukakis, who he said looked like a funeral director and has a smile that says, "Would you like to see the body?"

Maureen Lombard, the only woman contestant, said of being engaged, "My parents became very sentimental. My father waited at least a week and a half before turning my room into a den. My mother had the ring appraised."

Lawrence Bergman gave the audience astute advice, "Don't drink Schaeffer beer. It's not a beer - it's a laxative."

Some contestants chose to perform in costumes and others used props such as a chair, sunglasses, and a home-made Picasso painting.

"I've got to give credit to the guys who went up there. They certainly had courage and creativity,"said Linda Hepp (freshman-meteorology), an audience member.

"We're just spreading love the Doritos way," Butler said.

The University Student Union Board organized campus publicity. The show was co-sponsored by Doritos and Certs. U.S. Concepts is a special events marketing company that brings shows such as these to about 100 large colleges around the nation.