PLATTEVILLE, Wis.—The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers wrap up their two-game road trip this Saturday, as they travel to the University of Wisconsin-Stout to play the Blue Devils at Don and Nona Williams Stadium in Menomonie. Kickoff is set for 2 p.m.
The Pioneers came into Oshkosh hoping to increase their NCAA Division III playoff hopes last Saturday. The University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh had their own playoff aspirations, however, as the seventh-ranked Pioneers lost to the fifth-ranked Titans 22-13 off two Dylan Hecker touchdown runs in the fourth quarter. The University of Wisconsin-Stout, meanwhile, lost to the University of Wisconsin-River Falls 50-28.
About the Pioneers (5-2, 2-2 WIAC): Sophomore tailback Sean Studer had himself another career day, rushing for a new career high 122 yards on 23 carries, helping the Pioneer rushing attack which accumulated 222 total yards on 49 carries. Senior quarterback Tom Kelly had himself a nice day running the ball, as he notched 66 yards on his season-high 17 carries, and completed 10 of his 19 pass attempts for 84 yards, and accounted for UW-Platteville’s only touchdown. On defense, junior linebacker Marty McGrail led the Pioneers with 13 total tackles, while junior defensive back John Hotchkiss and senior linebacker Patrick Swanson each accumulated eight tackles.
About the Blue Devils (3-4, 1-3 WIAC): Junior wide receiver Brian Sandifer scored his first collegiate touchdown, as he hauled in a 22-yard pass from sophomore quarterback Jay Alston, who threw for four scores, the most in his short collegiate career, but it would prove to be not enough, as Stout would fall to UW-River Falls 50-8 after the Falcons exploded for four touchdowns in the fourth quarter. The Blue Devils were outgained in total yards 547-426, as the Falcons had success running the ball, notching 195 yards on the ground, while the Blue Devils were able to gain 95 rushing yards. Quarterback Jay Alston led the offense with 289 passing yards and 69 rushing yards, while junior safety Tony Blair led the defense with 13 total tackles.
Game Notes: The Pioneers and Blue Devils will be playing in UW-Stout’s annual Military Appreciation Day this Saturday…UW-Platteville dropped to 11th nationally following tough loss to UW-Oshkosh last week, per D3football.com’s Weekly Top 25 poll…The Pioneers two losses have come to two top five teams by a total of 15 points …Since head coach Mike Emendorfer took over in 1999, UW-Platteville has an even series record against UW-Stout at 9-9 and have won the last five meetings, the latest being last season, defeating the Blue Devils 43-10.
Written By: Tyler Wheeler, UW-Platteville Communications, 608-342-1194,
pr@uwplatt.edu
