#24 Pioneers open up WIAC play against #20 UW-La Crosse

The Game: The #24 ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers return to Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 5 at 1 p.m. when they open the 2019 Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference (WIAC) schedule against the #20 ranked Eagles of the University of Wisconsin-La Crosse.

Last meeting: The Eagles edged the Pioneers 35-28 last season in Veterans Memorial Stadium after UW-La Crosse claimed the lead in the final minutes of the late October matchup.

The records:  UW-Platteville is 3-0 overall after sweeping its non-conference opponents which included last week's 55-28 victory over Lakeland University. UW-La Crosse is 2-1 overall after non-conference play with its one loss courtesy of  NAIA member, Dickinson State University.

The coaches: Mike Emendorfer is UW-Platteville's all-time winning coach, compiling a 104-101 record in his 21 seasons. Emendorfer earned his first WIAC win 20 years ago with a 27-14 victory over UW-La Crosse and snapped a 24 game WIAC losing streak for the Pioneers. Mike Schmidt is in his fourth year at his alma mater after serving as defensive coordinator for the Pioneers in the 2015 season.  Schmidt is 22-11 overall and 12-9 in the WIAC.

The Pioneers: UW-Platteville is 37-19 in conference play over the last eight years, including wins over UW-La Crosse in six of those eight seasons. The Pioneers compiled a 53-18 overall mark over the previous seven seasons, with a pair of NCAA Division III playoff appearances.

Emendorfer's Pioneers are averaging 427 yards per game, including 294.3 in the air. Junior Colin Schuetz leads the WIAC in passing and has completed 63-of-102 (61.8%) attempts for 854 yards and 10 touchdowns in three games. Senior Tyler Knigge (19 receptions for 277 yards) and junior Donald Allender (11 receptions for 215 yards) are Schuetz's primary targets. Knigge leads the WIAC in receptions and receiving yards with UW-La Crosse's Jake Simuncak following closely behind while Allender is tied for first in the WIAC for touchdowns. Senior running back Wyatt Thompson has totaled 41 carries for 223 of the Pioneers' 398 rushing yards and four touchdowns.

On defense, senior defensive back Walter Ollie leads the Pioneers with 22 tackles, one sack, one forced fumble, and three pass break-ups. Ollie has also stacked up 235 yards on seven kick returns with a 63 yard return last weekend against Lakeland.  Senior defensive back Tyler Reinhardt follows closely behind with 20 tackles, two tackles for a loss of five yards, a pass break-up, and interception returned for a touchdown.

The Eagles: UW-La Crosse is coming off of a bye-weekend and enters Saturday's game leading the WIAC in forced turnovers and is averaging 324.7 yards total offense per game with 251.3 yards passing and 73.3 yards rushing. 

Sophomore Evan Lewandowski has completed 30-of-78 attempts (38.5%) for 509 yards and three touchdowns. Senior backup Jack Dwyer has also seen the field in two of the Eagles' three games this season and has completed 19-of-33 attempts (57.6%) for 245 yards and a touchdown.  Targets for UW-La Crosse include junior Jake Simuncak (17 receptions for 267 yards), senior Cole Spieker (11 receptions for 197 yards), and sophomore Ryan Beirne (seven receptions for 149 yards). Sophomore Joey Stutzman has tallied 28 carries for 123 yards.

On defense, junior linebacker Rusty Murphy leads the WIAC in fumbles forced with three and has totaled 30 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and two pass break-ups. Sophomore cornerback Joey Roth has stacked up three interceptions in three games for 16 yards returned. Overall, the UW-La Crosse defense has averaged 385.7 yards total defense to its opponents' 324.7 yards.

Odds and ends:

• The Pioneers broke into the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Top 25 ranking after their victory over Lakeland University.  UW-La Crosse is ranked #20 by the AFCA and #16 in the d3football.com Top 25 poll while UW-Platteville is receiving votes in the d3football.com poll.
• Other WIAC programs receiving votes in the d3football.com national rankings include UW-Stevens Point and UW-Oshkosh while the Titans and UW-Eau Claire are receiving votes in the AFCA poll.
• Saturday is Family Weekend in addition to the first 500 fans through the main gate receiving a free Pioneer Pete bobble head courtesy of University Relations.  Tickets and the main gate open at noon.
• The UW-Platteville coaching staff will be promoting the AFCA's Coach to Cure MD campaign at Saturday's game.
• UW-Platteville's first two conference games are against two nationally ranked teams – UW-La Crosse and #3 UW-Whitewater.
• 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 #3 UW-Whitewater and Perkins Stadium for the 2019 George Chryst Memorial Bowl on Oct. 12 at 2 p.m.