Pioneers Roll Past Blugolds, 47-14

Photo by: Chico La Barbera

EAU CLAIRE, Wis. – After a slow start, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (4-3, 2-2 WIAC) scored 47 unanswered points to defeat the UW-Eau Claire Blugolds (2-5, 1-3 WIAC) 47-14 Saturday afternoon at Carson Park. The Pioneers defense scored the final two touchdowns off a fumble recovery and an interception.

The Blugolds opened the game with an onsides kickoff which gave the home team possession at their own 47-yard line. The kick paid off five plays later as Harry Roubidoux found Isaac Garside  for a 27-yard catch and touchdown. 

The momentum stayed with the Blugolds as starting quarterback Michael Priami left the game in the Pioneers first drive after being sacked for a loss of 18 yards on third and seven. UW-Eau Claire got the ball back and moved 65 yards in six plays to take a 14-0 lead with 8:08 left in the opening quarter. 

The teams exchanged punts and the Pioneers got on the board in the last play of  the first quarter with a 31-yard carry by Brandt Stare. Andrew Schweigert's first PAT was good, but an illegal formation penalty on the kick followed by a low kick left the Blugolds with a 14-6 lead. 

UW-Eau Claire went three and out in the second quarter opening drive and the Pioneers took possession at the Blugold 38-yard line. Schweigert kicked a 33-yard field goal and the Pioneers cut the Blugolds' lead to 14-9 with 10:51 left in the half.

The Pioneers defense forced its second consecutive three and out, this time with Justin Blazek and Aidan Sproule sacking Roubidoux for a loss of six on third and 14. The Pioneer offense came back on the field and Carl Richardson found Brandt Stare for a gain of 12. On the subsequent play, the Pioneers broke out a trick play of their own, this time with a pass from Brandt Stare to Lucas Petersen for a 45-yard touchdown pass. 

With 8:43 to go in the half, and the Pioneers leading 16-14, UW-Eau Claire went three and out for the third time of the quarter. Zackary Bothun opened the next UW-Platteville drive with a 36-yard run up the middle and Richardson hit Garrett Stare 13 yards down field for the Pioneers third touchdown of the game. 

The teams went into halftime with the Pioneers leading 23-14 and then exchanged punts to open the second half. A penalty against the Blugolds on their punt gave the Pioneers excellent field placement at the UW-Eau Claire 15-yard line with 9:11 left in the quarter. Four plays later, Richardson hit Garrett Stare for a two-yard pass and touchdown. 

A 37-yard field goal by Schweigert later gave the Pioneers a 33-14 lead with 1:16 left in the third quarter. The Pioneers kept the moment rolling as Justin Blazek sacked Roubidoux on third and ten forcing a fumble at UW-Eau Claire's 25-yard line which was picked up and ran back by Tyler Bacon for a touchdown. 

Before the game was over, Brendan Lane intercepted Roubidoux at the UW-Platteville 32-yard line and then Will Straka picked off Quinn Faust on the following Blugold drive and ran it in 29 yards for another touchdown to take a 47-14 lead with 1:19 remaining in the game. 

The Pioneers totaled 396 yards with 266 in the air and 130 net rushing. The Blugolds finished with 164 yards total offense with all but nine yards coming in the air. The Pioneers defense forced negative rushing yards in three of the four quarters. 

Richardson finished 21-of-31 for 220 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. 

Bothun finished with 110 rushing yards and Petersen paced the Pioneers with 66 yards off four receptions. 

Roubidoux finished 14-of-25 for 133 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. 

Ivan Ruble led the Blugolds with 39 yards off 13 carries and Isaac Garside finished with 85 yards off seven receptions. 

Bacon finished the day with one sack for a loss of nine, three tackles for a loss of 15, one pass break up, three tackles and the fumble recovery for a touchdown. Colton Ingram had a team-high five tackles including two tackles for loss of eight and one sack for a loss of seven. Blazek concluded the day with four tackles including two for a loss of nine, 1.5 sacks for a loss of eight, two pass breakups and the forced fumble which was recovered for a touchdown. 

Gyanni Kanellakis led the Blugolds defense with 10 tackles and Brady Hoffner finished with eight including two sacks and tackles for loss of 26 yards.  

Schweigert finished the day 5-of-6 on PATs, 2-of-3 on field goals, averaged 61 yards with six kickoffs including four touchbacks, and averaged 54.3 per punt placing three of four inside the 20.

The Pioneers will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 28 when they travel to UW-Whitewater. The teams will battle for the Miners Axe in the George Chryst Memorial Bowl which kicks off at 1 p.m. in Perkins Stadium.

*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.