Pioneers fall to Blue Devils

MENOMONIE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin- Platteville's route to a road win Saturday afternoon came to a halt in the final seconds of the day and left the Pioneers on the unfavorable end of a 38-33 final score in Williams Stadium.

The Pioneers led 33-32 at the end of the fourth, but a UW-Stout 76 yard drive consisting of 14 plays scored the game-winning touchdown by senior Keyshawn Carpenter for the Blue Devils with just 00:04 remaining on the clock. UW-Platteville called a fair catch to stop the clock and position the ball on their 25 yard line.  UW-Stout's Dylan Peterson and Zach Donahue sacked Brett Geisz with a flag on the play. Although a five-yard penalty was issued on the home team's sideline for interference, the clock expired and the Blue Devils lead became final.

Overall, the game lasted three hours and 15 minutes and saw over a combined 300 yards in penalties between the Pioneers and Blue Devils. UW-Stout was called 13 times for 167 yards and UW-Platteville was also called 13 times for 136 yards.

UW-Platteville (4-5, 2-4 WIAC) totaled 408 yards offense while UW-Stout (5-4, 3-3 WIAC) finished with 414 yards total offense.  The Pioneers' offense consisted of 295 in the air and 113 rushing compared to the Blue Devils' 333 yards passing and 81 yards rushing

Geisz went 22 of 35 attempts while UW-Stout's Sean Borgerding went 19 of 38 and was sacked four times.

Tim Jansen tallied 10 receptions for a total of 199 yards.  Donald Allender's recorded two receptions for 20 yards and a touchdown in the end of the first half.  The Blue Devil long game tested the Pioneers' defense as three receivers pulled down 40+ yard long passes for the day including Levy Hamer's 83-yard catch for a touchdown.

Bo Babich had nine carries for 23 yards and two touchdowns while both Geisz with 15 carries for 33 yards and Ke'von Johnson with 1 carry for 18 yards ran in for one touchdown apiece.

On defense, Tyler Reinhardt had nine tackles, six solo, a pass break up, and an interception. Clayton Becker was in on four total sacks and recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss with eight tackles, five solo. Overall, the Pioneers had five broken up passes, and four sacks. 

The Blue Devils' Aaron Wisecup finished with 11 tackles, three solo, one sack, and had 2.5 tackles for loss. As a team, the Stout defense had seven pass breakups, two sacks, and 9 tackles for loss. 

The Pioneers return to action and will close out the season with Senior Day at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium as the nationally ranked #4 UW-Whitewater Warhawks roll into town for the annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl game.  Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.