#7 Pioneers Face #5 Titans

PLATTEVILLE, Wis.—A game with potential NCAA Division III playoff implications occurs Saturday as  University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers travel to Oshkosh to play the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans. Both teams are ranked in the top ten, according to D3Football.com's weekly Top 25 poll, with UW-Oshkosh ranked fifth, and UW-Platteville ranked seventh. Kickoff is at 1:30 p.m.

UW-Platteville celebrated its 150^th anniversary and homecoming last week, playing the UW-River Falls Falcons. Despite a 30-minute lightning delay, the Pioneers coasted to a 45-14 victory over the Falcons at home, while UW-Oshkosh defeated the UW-Stevens Point Pointers in what was quite a defensive battle, as UW-Oshkosh emerged with a 13-3 victory in Stevens Point.

About the Pioneers (5-1, 2-1 WIAC): UW-Platteville won their fifth straight homecoming game in convincing fashion, defeating the visiting UW-River Falls Falcons 45-14. Senior receiver Dan Arnold had another impressive showing, hauling in 7 catches for 160 yards and two touchdowns. Sophomore running back Sean Studer made his first collegiate start, rushing for 103 yards on 22 attempts, career highs. Senior Quarterback Tom Kelly finished with 18 completions off of 38 attempts for 278 yards and 4 touchdown passes along with no turnovers made by the offense. Defensively, the Pioneers held UW-River Falls to 286 yards of total offense, and junior linebacker Marty McGrail led the defense with 16 tackles and a sack, while sophomore defensive back Luke Johnson added an interception, as the defense forced two turnovers.

About the Titans (5-1, 2-1 WIAC): In the WIAC's the oldest rivalry, UW-Oshkosh defeated UW-Stevens Point 13-3.. UW-Oshkosh's defense held strong throughout the game, as they managed to keep UW-Stevens Point scoreless the final 48 minutes, holding them to only a field goal with three and a half minutes left in the first quarter, while also forcing 4 turnovers. UW-Oshkosh also was able to control the line of scrimmage, rushing for 178 yards on offense, and holding UW-Stevens Point to just 57 rushing yards. Neither team managed a point after the half, as each team exchanged punts to end the game.

Game Notes: UW-Platteville holds a 48-47-4 overall record versus UW-Oshkosh…Former Pioneer running back Jerimiah Shoemaker holds the UW-Platteville record for most rushing yards in a game, against UW-Oshkosh back in January of the 1998 season with 214 rushing yards … UW-Platteville lost last season's contest against UW-Oshkosh 63-28 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium…Their last win against the Titans came in the 2013 season, winning 17-16 in a situation similar to Saturday's. Both teams were once-beaten, and the Pioneers advanced to the NCAA III playoffs after the last-second win … UW-Oshkosh has outscored its opponents 185-6 in the first half of games this season … UW-Oshkosh 10^th year head coach Pat Cerroni won his 69^th game of his established career, becoming the winningest coach in Oshkosh history, encompassing 122 years, bringing his overall record to 69-33 since taking over in 2007. Pioneer head coach Mike Emendorfer, who is UW-Platteville's all-time leader with 95 victories, is 8-9 against UW-Oshkosh since becoming head coach in 1999.

Written By: Tyler Wheeler, UW-Platteville Communications, 608-342-1194, pr@uwplatt.edu