Kelly named Team MVP at Postseason Banquet
The UW-Platteville football team celebrated a great 2013 season on Sunday at the Pioneers annual postseason banquet, where senior John Kelly was named team MVP.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team celebrated a great 2013 season at the Pioneers annual postseason banquet on Sunday.
The 2013 Pioneers achieved accomplishments that no other team has done in program history. The 2013 squad won the school's first playoff game, made their first NCAA playoff appearance, and posted an unblemished 5-0 record at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The Pioneers tallied a school record 19 all-WIAC, six all-region and two all-American selections.
UW-Platteville ended the year 10-2 and finished the WIAC portion of the schedule 6-1 with its only setback coming by the hands of National Champions UW-Whitewater. The 10 wins matched the most victories in a season set by the 1970 team.
The Pioneer offense was one of the most prolific in the nation. They were ranked in the top-45 in nine statistical categories for the majority of the season; and finished ranked third in passing (348.8), seventh in first downs (308), ninth in third down conversion percentage (0.486) and 11th in total offense (499.3) and completion percentage (0.667).
The defense had the mentality of bend but never break. They seemed to come up with turnovers and stops when the Pioneers needed them the most. They forced 19 turnovers on the year which ranked second in the WIAC and 44th in country. The defense held UW-Oshkosh, who averaged 30 points a game to just 16 and Concordia (Wis.), averaged 41 points to 20 in the first round of the NCAA playoffs.
Most Valuable Player - John Kelly, QB
Offensive Most Valuable Player - Ryley Bailey, WR
Defensive Most Valuable Player - Jacob Zilbar, LB
Special Teams Most Valuable Player - Zach Litchfield, K
Battle of Trenches (OL) - Brian Lurquin, C
Battle of Trenches (DL) - Andrew Robinson, DE
Defensive George Chryst - Alex Schaefer, DE
Offensive George Chryst - Paul Reit, WR
Newcomer of the Year - Brett Jerdee, OL
Most Improved Player - Andy Puccini, RB
Defensive Scout Team Player of the Year - Austin Young, DL
Offensive Scout Team Player of the Year - Seth Kaufmann, WR
Orange Crush Player of the Year - Jacob Held, LB
Scholar-Athlete Award - Connor Skoumal
Phil Micech Award - Bronzun Kyles, DL
Iron Man Award - Lee Vlasak, RB