No. 18 Football shutouts UW-Eau Claire, 49-0
The 18th-ranked UW-Platteville football team thumped UW-Eau Claire 49-0 for the Pioneers’ first shutout on the Blugolds since 1961 and the first ever at Carson Park on Saturday.
EAU CLAIRE, Wis. -- The 18th-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team thumped UW-Eau Claire 49-0 for the Pioneers' first shutout on the Blugolds since 1961 and the first ever at Carson Park on Saturday.
Senior Bryce Corrigan orchestrated a 16-play 70-yard drive that took over half of the first-quarter, which was topped off with a 3-yard touchdown pass to fellow senior Trevor Whitehead.
Corrigan found Russell Martin for a 53-yard touchdown midway through the second quarter, putting the Pioneers up 14-0.
Four plays later, the UW-Platteville blocked a punt and Andre Cooper scooped up the ball for a touchdown, 21-0. Then junior Logan Emendorfer intercepted a pass three plays later to give the offense the ball on UWEC's 44-yard line.
Corrigan found Whitehead again this time a 32-yard touchdown pass to capitalize on the good field position, 28-0.
The Pioneer defense forced the Blugolds to a pair of three and outs, as the offense got its final possession of the first half with 1:30 to go on UW-Platteville's 44-yard line. Corrigan completed another big play to Martin, this time a 38-yard touchdown pass, giving the Pioneers a 35-0 lead at the half.
The Pioneer defense played a near perfect first half, only allowing two UWEC first downs and 68 yards of total offense.
The defense intercepted UWEC's Mark Munger twice in the third quarter and the last pick turned into a touchdown, putting the Pioneers up 42-0 with just over a minute left in the quarter.
UW-Platteville's Ryan Fish scampered into the end zone from 23-yards out, scoring the Pioneers final touchdown with 14:53 left in the game.
Corrigan ended his day completing 24-37 passes for 278 yards and five touchdowns.
Whitehead led the receiving corps with 10 catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns. Martin wrapped up his afternoon with four catches for 98 and two touchdowns, while Dillon Villhauer recorded five receptions for 54 yards and a touchdown.
The smothering Pioneer defense held UWEC to 131 yards of total offense and to just six first downs. Junior Andrew Belken and senior Jacob Zilbar led the defense with five tackles and an interception apiece. Belken also recorded two quarterback hurries.
UW-Platteville will host UW-River Falls on Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. for the Pioneers' annual Homecoming game.