Big plays highlight Pioneers' 44-19 road win at Franklin

FRANKLIN, Ind. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team concluded its 2021 non-conference schedule Saturday afternoon with a 44-19 road-win against the Franklin College Grizzlies at Faught Stadium. The Pioneers handed the Grizzlies their first loss of the season to enter WIAC play 1-2 overall while Franklin is now 2-1.

Under the beating sun, UW-Platteville combined for 486 yards of total offense while the Grizzlies totaled 489 yards to hold a slim advantage. The Pioneers put together an all-around showcase including big plays from all sides, highlighted by three key turnovers in the second half where UW-Platteville splashed 34 points on the scoreboard to Franklin's five points.

The Pioneers wasted no time after receiving the first kick and went 70 yards in nine plays with senior Colin Schuetz completing a 22-yard pass to junior Ben Wilson for a touchdown and 7-0 lead at the 11:04 mark.

During UW-Platteville's next possession, Schuetz completed a 21-yard pass to senior Donald Allender on 3rd and 12 for a touchdown, but a holding call pulled the teams back and a repeat of the down. 

The Pioneers forced a turnover the next Franklin drive as junior Tyler Bacon sacked Dane Andrews and stripped the ball for a fumble and UW-Platteville recovery with just shy of two minutes to go in the first frame. 

The Grizzlies put together back-to-back possessions resulting in two touchdowns to take a 14-7 lead with 8:51 remaining in the half. 

Andrew Schweigert capped off the first half with a career-high and program record 50-yard field goal and narrowed the Grizzlies' lead to 14-10 going into halftime. 

Franklin wasted no time in the second half and moved 63 yards in four plays in the starting drive of the second half, but junior Samuel Tausz picked off Andrews in the Pioneers' end zone which resulted in a touchback. 

The Pioneers capitalized on the turnover and marched 80 yards in 11 plays down the field with Schuetz rushing in for a touchdown to reclaim the lead. A blocked extra point attempt left the ball available for the Grizzlies to scoop it up and run it back all the way for two points of their own to tie the game 16-16 at the 8:22 mark.

During UW-Platteville's next possession, Schuetz put together a 17-yard completion to junior Austin Guy and followed it immediately with a 27-yard pass to Wilson and a 20-yard pass to junior Brandt Stare to put the Pioneers on the Franklin three-yard line. Schuetz ran in for his second touchdown of the day and the 23-16 lead.

Franklin added what would be its last points of the game during its next drive with a 28-yard field goal at the 1:29 mark in the third quarter. 

Leading 23-19, the Pioneers forced yet another turnover to wrap up the third quarter as junior Justin Blazek intercepted Andrews and returned it for 10 yards to the Franklin 40-yard line. It only took three plays this time as Schuetz found sophomore Lucas Petersen for a 14-yard pass for a touchdown. 

Franklin trailed 30-19 at the start of the fourth frame and a turnover on downs placed the Pioneers on the 50-yard line. This time it was junior Tyler Lamer who only needed two plays to get the job done. Lamer followed a 20-yard rush with a 30-yard carry and another touchdown to extend the lead to 37-19.

The teams exchanged punts and the Pioneer defense intercepted the Grizzlies once again, but this time it was returned 50 yards by Bacon for a touchdown at the 6:23 mark. Franklin took over with a 44-19 deficit and would not be able to narrow the gap before time expired. 

Schuetz went 26-for-43 (60.6%) for 332 yards and two touchdown passes. Schuetz also rushed for 30 yards off 10 carries and two touchdowns. 

Wilson hauled in eight passes for 114 yards and one touchdown.

Lamer netted 76 yards off 11 carries. The Pioneer added 104 yards off two kickoff returns. 

Blazek led the Pioneer defense with a game-high 12 tackles including one sack, three tackles for loss of nine yards, one pass breakup and one interception. 

The Pioneers will take next weekend off to prepare for the start of WIAC play. UW-Platteville will host No. 9 UW-Oshkosh at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Oct. 2 at 2 p.m.

Photos in photo gallery courtesy of: Maddy Becker