Pioneer Football reveals 2016 schedule

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. —The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team has unveiled the 2016 schedule, with a trip to Oregon, two first-time opponents and the usual rigorous Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference slate.

The farthest away game for the Pioneers will be a trip to George Fox University in Newberg, Oregon to take on the Bruins on Sept. 3 for the first game of the season. It will be the first-ever meeting between these schools.

"We hope the team will build camaraderie and really bond on this trip," said head coach Mike Emendorfer. "We also hope it will be preparation for a possible flight game down the road if everything with our season goes well."

When the Pioneers return home, they will face another first-time foe, University of St. Francis (Illinois) on Sept. 10 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

Following the home competition and a bye week, the Pioneers will round out their non-conference play at Lakeland College in Plymouth, Wisconsin on Sept. 24. Lakeland is coached by former Pioneer Assistant Colin Bruton.

The Pioneers face WIAC powerhouse UW-Whitewater to kick off conference play Oct. 1 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. 

After the Pioneers take on the Warhawks, they will travel to UW-Stevens Point to face the Pointers on Oct. 8 before returning home on Oct. 15 to host UW-River Falls for the sesquicentennial homecoming game.

In weeks seven and eight, the Pioneers will be doing some traveling, heading to UW-Oshkosh on Oct. 22 and UW-Stout on Oct. 29 before hosting UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 5 for Senior Day and the final home game of the season.

To round out regular season play, the Pioneers will travel to UW-La Crosse to play the Eagles, coached by former Pioneer defensive coordinator Michael Schmidt, on Nov. 12.

The Pioneers are coming off an 8-2 campaign in which they ranked 14th in the final d3football.com national poll.

"This is a new year with a new group of men," said Emendorfer. "We have many great players returning and look forward to the challenge that the WIAC brings year in and year out."

Written by: Carly Willman, University Information and Communications, 608.342.1194, willmanc@uwplatt.edu