Pioneers fall to #2 Warhawks

Second-ranked UW-Whitewater beat visiting UW-Platteville 35-3 Saturday in front of 9,000 fans in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener for both teams.

The Warhawks, who have been to the last four national championship games and favored to make it five straight trips, improved to 4-0 overall, while the Pioneers fell to 2-2.

Levell Coppage rushed for 162 yards and four touchdowns, including 25-, 35- and 3-yard scoring runs in the first half.

Tony Smidl kicked a 27-yard field with 4:49 left in the second quarter, slicing the Warhawk lead to 21-3. Quarterback Nick Anderson and running back Brandon Hertrampf combined for a 29-yard passing play to set up Smidl's kick.

The Warhawks' Adam Brandes caught a 36-yard touchdown pass from Jeff Donovan in the third quarter, and Coppage added his fourth score on a 10-yard run early in the fourth period.

The annual game is played in memory of former Pioneer Coach George Chryst, who passed away suddenly in 1992. The assembled media select players of the game for both teams, and freshman Anderson, who connected on 26 of 41 passes for 175 yards, and Brian Snyder, who had 10 tackles, were the UWP honorees. Coppage, who finished with 162 yards on 27 carries, and Kyle Supianoski, who had seven tackles, were the Warhawk choices.

The Pioneers will make their first home appearance since Sept. 5 when they play host to UW-La Crosse Saturday at 2 p.m. for Homecoming.