Pioneers defeat Blue Devils in thrilling season finale

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team defeated the University of Wisconsin-Stout 35-28 in a thrilling senior day game in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. Two late interceptions by the Pioneers, a huge defensive stop just shy of a tying touchdown at the end of the first half and a 25-yard pass for a touchdown on 4^th and 4 were among the game-changing plays which kept fans on the edge of their seats during a chilling November football game in southwest Wisconsin.

The Pioneers wrap up the season 4-6 overall and 3-4 in the WIAC while the Blue Devils finish 5-5 and 2-5 in the WIAC.

"I asked the team before the game to prove how great they are and they did that today," head coach Mike Emendorfer said right after the game. "I'm so happy for this team after all the adversity they faced this year and last. From all of the players to the assistant coaches, they earned this one."

After Stout took a 28-21 lead with 9:38 left in the game, the Pioneers found themselves on 4^th down and 4 at the Blue Devils' 25-yardline. Senior Colin Schuetz found junior Ben Wilson down middle for the game-tying touchdown with 7:11 left in regulation.

The Blue Devils took back over on their own 7-yardline and drove to their 38-yardline where junior Samuel Tausz intercepted Stout's Sean Borgerding and returned it 16 yards for the Pioneers to take back over with 3:34 on the clock. Four plays later, including a 12-yard rush by Schuetz, junior Evan Gates scored from the 1-yardline to break the tie and give UW-Platteville a 35-28 lead with 1:48 remaining in the game.

Stout's hopes of at least tying the game were crushed a minute later when Borgerding, who had only thrown nine interceptions all year, was intercepted once again, this time by sophomore Danny Kast who returned it 15 yards. Two kneels later, the Pioneers concluded their 2021 season with a 35-28 win.

In the first half, the Blue Devils were first on the scoreboard when a 12-yard run by Matt Pomietlo concluded a 5-play, 71-yard opening drive. The Pioneers answered back the very next drive and Schuetz hit junior Austin Guy for a 20-yard pass and touchdown with 7:13 to go in the first quarter.

It was Schuetz and Guy once again who concluded UW-Platteville's next possession, this time with a 19-yard pass for the pair's second touchdown in five minutes and a 14-7 lead.

UW-Stout evened the score on a 20-yard pass and touchdown with 11:44 remaining in the half. The tie was short-lived and Schuetz threw for his third touchdown of the half finding junior Brandt Stare who slipped into the end zone on a screen pass to take a 21-14 lead with 3:24 left in the half.

The Blue Devils were 2^nd and inches away from a tying touchdown with seconds on the clock, but the Pioneers paired two big stops and forced Stout to call timeout. The visitors lined up for a field goal, but it was Tausz who recognized the fake and stopped Luke Cool's rush right outside the endzone as time ran out in the half.

The Pioneers totaled 350 yards of total offense while the Blue Devils put up 491 total yards.

Schuetz completed 29 of 43 attempts for 323 yards and four touchdowns, marking the eighth game this season surpassing 300 yards for the Pioneer. Schuetz also led the Pioneers on the ground with four carries for 18 yards.

Stare led UW-Platteville with 109 yards off 12 receptions for one touchdown. Wilson was not far behind with five catches for 93 yards and a touchdown. Guy coupled two touchdowns with six receptions for 74 yards.

The Pioneers held Stout to 5-of-11 on third down and 1-of-3 on fourth down.  Junior Sam Smith had a game-high 13 tackles while Tausz added eight tackles and an interception. Sophomore Nicholas Alberico had two pass breakups and seven tackles.

Junior Andrew Schweigert was 5-of-5 for extra points.

Pomietlo had a career making day for the Blue Devils, registering 154 yards off 26 carries while Levy Hamer totaled 140 receiving yards.

Schuetz completed the season with 3,315 passing yards which sits second all-time in the record books behind John Kelly's 3,626 season. The quarterback concluded his collegiate career with 8,158 passing yards, second all-time in the record book behind Hall of Famer Tom Stetzer (9,555). Schuetz's tally places him 8^th all-time in season passing yards and 11^th all-time in career passing yards in the WIAC archives.

Prior to the game, UW-Platteville recognized 18 seniors wearing their orange and blue jerseys for the final time of their collegiate careers.

2021 Seniors

Donald Allender (WR)

Kenny Ballmer (DL)

Carter Brehm ( C )

Brett Burant (OL)

Nick Capriotti (LB)

Ryan Cole (LB)

Hunter Grams (P)

Eric Heisner (OL)

Drew Hoff (DB)

Trent Jennings (OL)

Logan Ketelhut (DL)

Chance Nelson (WR)

Daniel Redington (OL)

Rhett Reinicke (OL)

Jacob Remsza (WR)

Colin Schuetz (QB)

David Urke (WR)

Nate Yencer (LB)