Pioneers Defeat Pointers on Homecoming

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers earned a huge 51-10 win over UW-Stevens Point at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium in the 2023 Homecoming game. The Pioneers amassed 621 total yards on Saturday, the most yards in a single game since 2016 and fifth all-time in program history. 

The Pioneers (3-2, 1-1) wasted no time getting the homecoming crowd on its feet when Samuel Tausz intercepted Jake Leair on the second play of the game. UW-Platteville used the turnover to go 77 yards in 10 plays for a touchdown and 7-0 lead five minutes into the game. The Pioneers led 30-10 at the half and shutout the Pointers (1-4, 0-2) in the second half while scoring three more touchdowns of their own.

The Pioneers' 621 total yards is the most offense since 656 yards against Lakeland in 2016. UW-Platteville rushed for 224 yards with another 396 in the air. UW-Stevens point passed for 184 of the Pointers 219 total yards. 

Michael Priami threw for 325 yards and three touchdowns while running in another. Saturday marked the second consecutive 300-yard passing game for Priami. Two of Priami's touchdowns were to Brandt Stare who recorded his fourth 100-yard receiving game this season with a career-high 179 yards off six receptions. Zackary Bothun also had a career-high 120 yards off 18 carries, running in one touchdown.      

Priami was 18-of-31 with one interception and continues to lead the conference in completion percentage after the weekend. Carl Richardson completed his only pass of the afternoon for a 71-yard touchdown to Jaxson Garbisch with 4:354 left in the game. 

Leair finished the day 24-of-40 for 184 yards and a touchdown. Leair hit Jeremy Kobe nine times for 83 yards and the Pointers only touchdown. 

Aidan Tyk tallied a game-high 9 tackles, included one for a loss of eight yards. Colton Ingram finished with seven tackles, one sack for a loss of five. Nicholas Alberico had career-high four pass breakups and Tyler Bacon finish with three quarterback hurries, five tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss of five yards and was in on one sack. 

Tysen White led UW-Stevens Point with seven tackles. 

Andrew Schweigert was 6-for-6 on PATs, 3-for-3 on field goals, tallied four touchbacks on seven kickoffs and added a 54-yard punt. 

After Priami found Brandt Stare for an 11-yard reception to take the 7-0 lead and the Pointers punted on fourth and eight, Schweigert's 31-yard field goal extended the lead to 10-0.

UW-Stevens Point cut the lead by three going 70 yards in 18 plays and finishing with a 22-yard field goal by Aleks Sauer-Milli with 14:57 left in the half. 

The one possession game didn't last long as just two plays later, Priami threw a 46-yard bomb to Brandt Stare who made a one-handed catch for the duo's second touchdown of the game. 

Schweigert added a 27-yard field goal and UW-Stevens Point scored on a short three-yard pass midway through the quarter. 

Bothun's six-yard run and touchdown extended the Pioneers lead to 27-10 with 5:32 on the board. 

Schweigert added another field goal before the half expired, this time kicking a 19-yarder to give the Pioneers their 31-10 lead at the half. 

After the break, Priami threw his only interception on the first play of the second half. 

On the next UW-Platteville drive, the Pioneers found themselves on third and goal. Priami threw a 10-yard pass through traffic to the back of the endzone finding Garrett Stare to extend the lead to 37-10 with 7:52 left in the third quarter. 

The teams exchanged punts and Brandt Stare hauled in a 59-yard pass from Priami to the Pointers four-yard line. Two snaps later, Priami ran in to extend the lead to 44-10.

With 4:34 left in the game, Richardson connected with Garbisch for the 71-yard touchdown and the 51-10 lead.

The victory in the 93^rd UW-Platteville homecoming game marks the fifth consecutive homecoming victory for the Pioneers. 

The Pioneers will return to action and Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium next Saturday, Oct. 14 when they take on No. 14 UW-La Crosse at 1 p.m.

 *As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.