Huskies get past Pioneers in Season Opener, 23-13

Photo curtesy of Michigan Tech Media Relations

HOUGHTON, Mich. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team kicked off the 2022 season Thursday night in a battle against NCAA Division II opponent Michigan Tech University on Sherman Field. In a game that remained scoreless until seconds before the half, the Pioneers found themselves working out of a 16-0 deficit midway through the third quarter. First year head coach Ryan Munz's squad didn't shy away from the situation and stayed composed using it as momentum while they chipped away to close the gap 23-13 before the final whistle blew. 

It was the first time the two teams had met and the programs both played their season openers in an unseasonably warm 87-degree day in the Michigan upper peninsula. 

The Pioneers came out swinging and senior Tyler Bacon sacked Michigan Tech's Will Ark on their opening drive to make it third and long. The Pioneers held the Huskies to nine yards total offense in the first quarter while sophomore Michael Priami completed six of seven attempts for 36 yards to start his first game leading the Pioneers. 

At the beginning of the second quarter, Michigan Tech made it fourth and long at the Huskies' 34-yardline following a Priami sack. In an attempt to take a 3-0 lead, senior Andrew Schweigert set up for a 51-yard field goal attempt which would have improved his school record by one yard. The kick had the distance but bounced off the right upright and the contest stayed locked at double zeros.  

The Pioneers defense had its first lengthy test in the second quarter keeping Michigan Tech out of the endzone for over 10 minutes of possession. It wasn't until a 26-yard pass deep left put the Huskies on the Pioneer's five-yardline. On their third attempt, Michigan Tech put seven on the board heading into halftime when quarterback Steele Fortress stretched one out for a touchdown.

The Huskies started the second half and added two more to the board quickly off a safety. Keeping that momentum going, Michigan Tech put together a 61-yard drive off six plays to extend their lead to 16-0 with 9:47 to go in the third.

Later, the Pioneers took over at their own 30-yardline with Priami completing a 3-yard pass to junior Austin Guy. At the end of the play, a hit resulted in a targeting and roughing the passer penalty. The series of events led to junior quarterback Nathan Shackelford taking to the field. The Pioneers adjusted on the fly and hit the ground running, literally. Sophomore Bryan Smith stacked a 14-yard gain followed by a 16-yard carry into the redzone. Shackelford then completed his first attempt of the night to Guy. Shackelford found junior Lucas Petersen the very next snap for a 9 nine-yard touchdown to put UW-Platteville on the board with 6:43 remaining in the third quarter. 

At the end of the quarter, a fumble on third and six set the Huskies up to move 27 yards in six plays to regain the 16-point lead with three minutes left in the quarter. 

In the fourth quarter, the Pioneers bested the Huskies 133-17 yards total offense with 80 yards coming off a 14-play scoring drive. Shackelford connected with junior Brandt Stare for an eight-yard touchdown to make it 23-13 with 1:40 remaining in the game. 

UW-Platteville totaled 198 yards with 183 through the air while the Huskies netted 213 including 147 passing.

Priami finished the day with 11 completions off 16 attempts for 57 yards. Shackelford completed 18 of 23 attempts for 126 yards and  two touchdowns. Schackelford also led the Pioneers with 33 yards off nine carries. 

Neither defense was able to intercept the night's passers as Steele Fortness completed eight of 12 attempts for 131 yards and one touchdown. 

Guy totaled 68 receiving yards off 12 catches with a 42-yard long while Petersen tallied 50 yards off six receptions.

Michigan Tech was led by Arius Willis who recorded 59 yards and two touchdowns off three receptions and William Maranaowho who netted 48 yards off 17 carries for the Huskies. 

Senior Sam Smith tallied eight stops to pace the Pioneers including a sack and loss of seven. Bacon registered four tackles for a loss of 17 yards. Marc Sippel led the Huskies and collected eight tackles including 4.5 for a loss of 23 yards.  

In all, Michigan Tech. sacked the Pioneers four times for a loss of 38 yards while the UW-Platteville defense registered two sacks for a loss of 15.  

After the game, Coach Munz said, "We are not happy with the outcome of today's game. Sometimes you don't always get what you want. I am extremely proud of the way our guys competed. You can see there is a lot of heart in this group. Good things are on the horizon. We just have to keep Swinging the Axe to get there."

The Pioneers will return to action at home on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 1 p.m. when Bethel College visits Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. UW-Platteville will be celebrating 50 years in the "Ralph" this season. Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium opened on Sept. 9, 1972.

Tickets for the game can be purchased anytime online at: https://secure.ticketsage.net/websales.aspx?u=uwplatteville. Tickets can also be purchased on gameday at the ticket booth one hour before kickoff.