Pioneers set to host Saints

The game: The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers (1-0) will host the Thomas More University Saints (1-2) of Crestville Hill, Kentucky on Saturday, Sept. 21 at 1 p.m. in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

Two weeks ago: The Pioneers had a bye week last weekend after prevailing 38-30 over East Texas Baptist University (ETBU) to open the 2019 season in a neck and neck battle which saw tied scores at the conclusion of three quarters of the game. 

Last meeting: The Pioneers look to comeback after falling 28-34 last year in rural Cincinnati. The Pioneers and Saints were tied going into the fourth quarter, but a pass interference penalty on fourth-and-eight against the Pioneers allowed for the Saints to complete a 28-yard pass and give Thomas More the game-winning touchdown.

Hall of Fame:  Before the game Saturday, the UW-Platteville Hall of Fame will induct its four newest members who will be recognized at halftime of Saturday's game.  The 2019 class of inductees include: Barry Braganza '91, football, Andy Paulsen '03, track and field, Tyler Selk '03, basketball, and Corey Stelljes '04, track and field.

The Pioneers: UW-Platteville is 22-3 in non-conference play over the last nine years, including 14 of their last 15 with the one loss being to Thomas More last season.  UW-Platteville has compiled a 54-18 mark over the last eight years, with a pair of NCAA Division III playoff appearances.

Head Coach Emendorfer's 21^st Pioneer squad is led by  junior quarterback Colin Schuetz who completed 23 of 45 attempts for 373 yards and four touchdowns with one interception in the Pioneers' season opener.

Senior running back, Wyatt Thompson led the Pioneers in rushing attempts with 18 carries in game one for 60 yards. Junior wide receiver Donald Allender tallied a team high 117 yards off four receptions two weeks ago with two touchdowns.

In game one of the season, the defense forced two fumbles, five sacks for a loss of 28 yards, and one interception.

Senior Walter Ollie paced the Pioneers with 10 solo tackles, two assists and one forced fumble. Junior Eric Siedenburg claimed six solos four assists with two tackles for loss of five yards and one broken up pass while Junior lineman Jackson McMahan tallied two sacks and an assist for a loss of 18 yards.

The Saints: Thomas More looks to bounce back after last weekends' loss to Cumberland (Tenn.) in the final seconds of the game when their potential game-winning field goal attempt bounced off the upright as time expired.

Senior quarter back Justin Post has completed 58 of 103 attempts in three games for a total of 779 yards and four interceptions.

The Saints receivers have combined for 779 yards thus far averaging 259.7 yards per game. Junior running back Monalo Caldwell leads with a team high of 51 carries for 207 yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, the Saints average 448 yards total defense per game with 166 yards rushing defense and 282 yards passing defense.

Saints' head coach, Trevor Stellman, is in his second season as the head coach after serving as assistant at Thomas More for eight seasons.

Odds and ends:

• UW-Platteville is 133-100-2 all-time at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium since it opened in 1972.
• The Pioneers extended their season opener winning streak to 21 with the win over East Texas Baptist.
• The Pioneers were picked to finish fourth in the WIAC behind UW-Whitewater, UW-La Crosse, and UW-Oshkosh in the 2019 Preseason Poll.
• The 2019 UW-Platteville Football team continues its campaign to #SetTheExpectation. A nationally recognized campaign and pledge taken by college athletes that is focused on combatting sexual and physical violence.  Founder Brenda Tracy visited was an honorary captain last season at a home game.
• Looking ahead, the Pioneers will travel to Lakeland University next Saturday, Sept. 28 for the Pioneers only night game of the season at 6 p.m. on Taylor Memorial Field.