No. 8 Pioneer Football falls at No. 6 UW-Whitewater

The eighth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team fell to sixth-ranked UW-Whitewater, 35-16, on Saturday at Perkins Stadium.

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No. 8 Pioneer Football falls at No. 6 UW-Whitewater
November 2, 2013

WHITEWATER, Wis. – The eighth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team fell to sixth-ranked UW-Whitewater, 35-16, on Saturday at Perkins Stadium.

The Warhawk defense forced five Pioneer turnovers and held the high powered Pioneer offense to a season-low 271 total yards. The Pioneers defense forced two turnovers of its own.

UW-Platteville's John Kelly threw for 244 yards with one touchdown and four interceptions. Senior Paul Reit caught six passes for 60 yards, while fellow senior Ryley Bailey hauled in five passes for a game-high 72 yards. Sophomore Russell Martin caught Kelly's only touchdown pass and ended his day with five receptions for 63 yards.

The Warhawks pounded the ground with 245 yards rushing and Jordan Ratliffe recorded 175 yards. When UWW got into the red zone they went to the air for all four touchdowns. Matt Behrendt threw for 193 yard to go with his four touchdowns and an interception. Joe Worth caught three of his eight receptions in the end zone for a 64 yards.

The Warhawks opened the game with a strong drive but was ended when Pioneers' Jacob Zilbar forced a fumble at UW-Platteville's three-yardline and was picked up by Rob Austin for 48 yards. Kelly's first pass of the game was tipped and intercepted at the line of scrimmage. Six plays later, UW-Platteville's Jason Flagg intercepted Behrendt's pass and took it 70 yards for the game's first points, 6-0.

The Pioneer defense forced a three and out and the offense managed to put senior Zach Litchfield on the fridge of his range. Litchfield nailed a career-best 47-yard field goal, putting the Pioneers up 9-0. The Warhawks finally got on the board with just over four minutes in the first quarter, 9-7.

The second quarter was all Warhawks as they scored touchdowns on both of their possessions, taking a 22-9 halftime lead.

The Pioneers made some good halftime adjustments and opened the third quarter with a seven play 72 yard drive cutting their deficit to 22-16. UWW added a field goal with 5:22 left in the third quarter, 25-16.

In the Pioneers' first possession of the fourth quarter, Kelly was intercepted for the fourth time. Two plays later UWW scored to make it a 16 point game, 32-16. The Warhawks put the game completely out of reach with a field goal, 35-16, with 2:30 left to play.

The Pioneers will look to bounce back when they host UW-La Crosse on Nov. 9 for Senior Day. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.