Pioneers host Blugolds in Saturday's #SetTheExpectation game

The game: The University of Wisconsin-Platteville looks to bounce back from its loss to No 12 UW Oshkosh when the Pioneers host the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds Saturday at 1 p.m. in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

The records: UW-Platteville is 4-2 overall and 2-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while UW-Eau Claire is 2-4, 0-3.

Hall of Fame: The University of Wisconsin-Platteville will induct four new members into its Athletic Hall of Fame on Saturday, Oct. 20 in Velzy Commons in Ullsvik Hall. Bobbi (Erickson) Maxwell '02, Brooke (Kaiser) Elmer '02, Dave Hahn '02, and Eric Hamkins '84 will be recognized during halftime of the football game after the morning ceremony.

#SetTheExpectation: Nationally-known speaker Brenda Tracy presented  #SetTheExpectation on Thursday, Oct. 18 on Bo Ryan Court, Williams Fieldhouse. Tracy leads a discussion dedicated to combatting sexual and physical violence by supporting coaches, young men and boys to become part of the solution through direct outreach and engagement in high school and collegiate athletic programs. Tracy will be honorary captain at Saturday's game and both teams will be wearing #SetTheExpectation ribbons on their helmets.

The coaches: Mike Emendorfer is UW-Platteville's all-time winningest coach, compiling a 101-97 record in his 20th season. Emendorfer reached the 100 win mark with the 20-6 triumph over UW-Stevens Point on Sept. 29. He has taken the Pioneers to their only two NCAA III playoff berths in school history, in 2013 and 2016. Emendorfer is the WIAC's active leader in victories.  Dan Larson is in his third year of rebuilding the UW-Eau Claire program. The former Blugold all-conference player is the 16th head coach in school history and has a 5-21 mark.

The Pioneers: Last week, the Pioneers slugged it out with twelfth-ranked UW Oshkosh on Saturday before falling 31-10. UW Oshkosh broke away with 21 straight points in the fourth quarter in a defensive battle.

UW-Platteville continues to lead the WIAC in total offense averaging 443.3 yards per game. Senior running back Sean Studer leads the WIAC with 101.0 yards averaged per game with sophomore quarterback Colin Schuetz leading the league with 264.2 yards passed per game.  Senior receiver Mark Johnson sits in second in the WIAC for averaging 98.2 yards per game.

On the Pioneer defense, sophomore Eric Siedenburg is averaging 9.5 tackles per game with senior Ben Mogilevsky averaging 8.5 per game.  Senior Clayton Becker leads the defense in sacks for the season with 3.5 and 6.5 tackles for losses.

On special teams, senior kicker Michael Pratl is a perfect 27 for 27 on PATs on the year.

The Blugolds: UW-Eau Claire is in year three of its rebuilding phase under Coach Dan Larson. The Blugolds are 1-2 on the road this season, with a 45-13 victory over Loras College on the first game of the season.

Scott Procter completed 11 of 24 attempts last Saturday against No. 6 UW-Whitewater where the Blugolds were shutout 45-0 by the Warhawks. The WIAC leading defense held the Blugolds to just 164 total yards offense.

UW-Eau Claire leads the WIAC with 21 sacks for 121 this season and is spearheaded by Sam Romanski who has eight solo and two sack assists and also has a league high of 14 tackles for loss for a total 51 yards.

The Next Game: UW-Platteville travels to UW-La Crosse on Oct. 27 for a 1 p.m. start.