Pioneer football announces 2022 schedule
PLATTEVILLE, Wis.- When the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team travels to Michigan Tech on Thursday, Sept. 1, a new era will begin for Pioneer football. Ryan Munz was hired on Feb. 7. The first home contest will be Saturday, Sept. 10 when Bethel University visits Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
PLATTEVILLE, Wis.- When the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team travels to Michigan Tech on Thursday, Sept. 1, a new era will begin for Pioneer football. Ryan Munz was hired on Feb. 7 to replace retiring coach Mike Emendorfer. Emendorfer spent 23 years at UW-Platteville and leaves as the all-time winningest coach in program history.
The trip to Houghton, Michigan, will begin a challenging non-conference schedule before the always tough and rugged WIAC slate. Munz's first home contest will be Saturday, Sept. 10 when Bethel University visits Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The final non-conference contest will see the Pioneers battle Hardin-Simmons University on Saturday, Sept. 17. The Cowboys finished the 2021 season with a 9-1 record.
"We are excited to finalize our 2022 schedule," Munz said. "Even as an NCAA Division III institution, scheduling games can be a challenge, and this year was no different. We get some of the best competition in the nation in the WIAC and this year's non-conference schedule will match the conference we play in."
The Pioneers will take a week off following the non-conference slate before traveling to UW-Oshkosh on Saturday, Oct. 1 to open WIAC play. The Pioneers' first home conference contest will be the annual Homecoming game. Along with welcoming back alumni, UW-Platteville will welcome UW-River Falls to town on Saturday, Oct. 15. The Falcons finished the 2021 season as the inaugural winners of the Culvers Isthmus Bowl.
The annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl will be played in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 22 where the Pioneers will seek to reclaim the traveling Pick Axe trophy from UW-Whitewater.
The Pioneers will honor the senior class on Saturday, Nov. 5 when UW-Eau Claire visits Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The final regular season contest will take the Pioneers to UW-La Crosse on Saturday, Nov. 12.
Of the 10 opponents the Pioneers will face this season, five finished 2021 in the top 25. "When you come to watch the Pioneers this season, you will see good football teams from around the country. We are looking forward to the fall. Time to buckle up," said Munz.
The Pioneer football team will also be hosting a spring tailgate in tandem with an open practice on Saturday, April 23 from 1-3 p.m at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
To follow the Pioneers all season, visit www.Letsgopioneers.com for links for live stats, postgame recaps and links for the contests that are live streamed. Follow the official social media accounts of Pioneer Athletics on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.