Pioneers open WIAC play with 20-6 win over Pointers

STEVENS POINT, Wis. - UW-Platteville's three quarter shutout secured the 20-6 victory over UW-Stevens Point in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference opener Saturday afternoon.

The Pioneers (3-1 overall, 1-0 WIAC) tallied 321 yards offense with 225 in the air and 96 rushing over the UW-Stevens Point Pointers (1-3 overall, 0-1 WIAC).  Two interceptions returned for 42 yards along with two stops on fourth down forced the turnovers needed to enable the Pioneers to control the majority of the league opener.

Sophomore quarterback Colin Schuetz finished 17-33 with 225 passing yards and one touchdown.

Freshman running back Evan Gates rushed for two touchdowns on the night, while senior Sean Studer led with 20 carries for 79 yards.

Senior receiver Mark Johnson led the Pioneers with 176 yards and one touchdown.

On defense, linebacker Eric Siedenburg led with 12 tackles.  Senior linebacker Ben Mogilevsky recorded 11 stops while sophomore Donald Allender totaled two blocked kicks on a field goal attempt and extra point attempt.

In all, the Pioneer defense recorded three sacks for a loss of 16 yards, two interceptions, and seven broken up passes. Senior punter Connor Foley punted for 160 yards in four attempts and placed three of the four within the 20 yard line.

The Pioneers had their first break in the game in the first quarter when defensive back Luke Johnson intercepted UWSP's Matt Urmanski at their own 32 yard line and returned it to the UWSP three yard line.  Freshman Evan Gates powered through the very next play to set the Pioneers up 7-0 after Michael Pratl's extra point.

The Pointers managed to work into field goal position, but UW-Platteville's Donald Allender blocked the field goal attempt from the Pioneer 35 yard line.  The Pioneers were able to get within field goal range in the next drive, but a Pointer block on Michael Pratl's attempt left the score at 7-0. 

UW-Platteville's Travis Hofslein intercepted UWSP's Mitchel Neubauer for a 13 yard return with less than 30 seconds left in the second quarter, and shortage of time sent the teams into the locker room at the half with the Pioneers ahead 7-0.

The Pioneers kicked off the second half when Schuetz bombed one deep down the field into the hands of Mark Johnson late in the third quarter for a 38 yard touchdown to give the Pioneers a 14-0 lead.

Gates rushed into the end zone once more in the day and then a blocked Samuel Herkert extra point attempt left the Pioneers holding a 20-0 advantage.

UW-Stevens Points Matt Urmanski returned to the game and went 5-5 on pass attempts in a late fourth quarter drive to put the Pointers on the board late in the day with 1:23 left in game.  UWSP's extra point was blocked and the Pointers still trailed 6-20 until time expired.

Saturday's victory marked 100 wins for head coach Mike Emendorfer. Emendofer  is the all-time winningest coach, compiling a 100-96 record in his 20^thseason.  

The Pioneers return to action next Saturday, Oct. 6 at 2 p.m. for the homecoming game against UW-River Falls.  Next Saturday's game represents Celebrate Agriculture sponsored by Compeer Financial.