Pioneers Fall 21-17 to No. 6 Eagles

PLATTEVILLE, WIS. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team kept fans on the edge of their seats through four lead changes at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Saturday afternoon. In the end, the No. 6 nationally ranked UW-La Crosse Eagles (5-1, 3-0) held on for a 21-17 win over the Pioneers (3-3, 1-2). 

After a scoreless first quarter, the Eagles finished a 92-yard, 16-play drive with a two-yard carry by quarterback Keyser Helterbrand to take a 7-0 lead after the first play of the second quarter. 

The Eagles held on to the one score lead until Michael Priami connected with Brandt Stare for a 12-yard pass in the final seconds of the half to tie the game 7-7. 

UW-La Crosse went three and out to start the second half and Brandt Stare tacked on a 25-yard punt return to set the Pioneers up on the Eagles 46-yard line. Five plays later, Priami found Stare again for an eight-yard completion and the duo's second touchdown of the game. 

The UW-Platteville lead was short-lived after the Eagles tied the game once again on their next drive with a six-yard pass from Helterbrand to Jack Janke with 10:59 remaining in the third quarter. 

At the end of the Pioneer's next possession, Andrew Schweigert's 23-yard field goal gave the Pioneers back the lead, 17-14 with 7:41 remaining in the third frame. 

After punt by the Eagles and a turnover on downs by the Pioneers, UW-La Crosse closed out the third quarter with a 16-yard pass from Zach Weir to Jack Studer to pull ahead 21-17. 

The Pioneers had two chances within scoring reach, but back-to-back interceptions shifted momentum to the Eagles with 8:24 left to play. UW-Platteville held UW-La Crosse out of scoring range, but were unable to convert on third and long and were forced to punt with three minutes left in the game.  

The Pioneers defense got the job done once again and the offense got the ball back at their 18-yardline with 1:24 to play. UW-Platteville was able to complete a couple of laterals on their final attempt of the game, but ran out of space at their own 32-yard line. 

Overall, both teams found a majority of its offense in the air with neither team netting over 36 rushing yards. The Pioneers totaled 330 yards offense with 294 in the air and 36 rushing. The Eagles totaled 288 with 265 yards passing and a stingy 23 yards on the ground after entering the game averaging 189.8 rushing yards per game. 

Both defenses had big stops and made it difficult converting on third down with the Pioneers converting on 4-of-12 and the Eagles converting on 6-of-15. 

Priami finished 33-of-50 for 294 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Ryan Doherty finished with 102 yards off nine receptions and Brandt Stare totaled 66 yards off eight receptions, including two touchdowns. Zackary Bothun netted 50 yards off 10 carries.  

Keyser Helterbrand and Zach Weir combined for 265 yards. Helterbrand was 15-of-25 for 209 yards and Weir finished 5-of-8 for 56 yards. Each Eagle passed for a touchdown while Helterbrand ran in another. 

Studer had a game-high 158 yards off seven catches while Gabe Lynch netted 30 yards off 14 carries. 

The Pioneer defense let loose on Saturday totaling 12 tackles for loss of 45 yards. Sam Smith led with 11 tackles, including two and a half for a loss of four yards, one pass breakup and one hurry. Colton Ingram finished with 10 tackles, two tackles for loss of seven yards, one sack for a loss of six and two hurries. Justin Blazek finished in double digits as well with 10 tackles, three tackles for loss of 15 yards, one sack for a loss of 12 and one hurry. 

Tanner Newlin led the Eagles with nine tackles and Marquis Cagle finished with two sacks for a loss of 19 yards. 

Next up, the Pioneers will kick off back-to-back road games at UW-Eau Claire on Saturday, Oct. 21. Game time is set for 1:10 p.m.