Defensive Dominance Propels Pioneers past Titans

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team defeated the UW-Oshkosh Titans 22-7 Saturday in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. The victory marks the first win for the Pioneers (5-4, 3-3 WIAC) over the Titans (5-4, 3-3 WIAC) since 2013. 

Defensive prowess and big playmakers on both sides of the ball highlighted the day as the Pioneers held the Titans scoreless in three quarters after they entered the game sitting second in the conference, averaging 40.9 points per game. 

UW-Platteville intercepted the conference's passing leader three times in the game and returned the picks 52 yards, including a 49-yard return for a touchdown by Nicholas Allen. Kobe Berghammer entered the day having passed for 37 touchdowns this season and stayed at 37 after the Pioneers kept him from throwing a single touchdown, the first team to accomplish the task this season. 

The Pioneers totaled 366 yards total offense putting 221 yards through the air and netting 145 yards on 44 carries. The Titans were held to 263 yards total offense, 202 yards passing and 61 yards rushing.  

Michael Priami finished the day 16-of-31 for 221 yards, passed for one touchdown, was not intercepted, and was never sacked. Berghammer completed 19-of-40 attempts for 202 yards. 

Priami's favorite target was Brandt Stare with six receptions for 97 yards. Tag Habedank rushed for 100 yards on 27 carries. 

Jon Mathieu paced the Titans with seven receptions for 66 yards and Berghammer led UW-Oshkosh with 39 yards and 14 carries.  

As a unit and in addition to the three interceptions, the Pioneers defense totaled 11 tackles for a loss of 35 yards, five sacks for a loss of 24 yards, six pass breakups, seven hurries and a forced fumble and recovery. 

Sam Smith finished with a game-high 13 tackles which included 2.5 sacks for a loss of 20 yards. Justin Blazek finished the day with eight tackles featuring 1.5 sacks for a loss of four yards, three tackles for a loss of seven, a forced fumble and recovery, one pass break up and two hurries. 

Kyle Dietzen led the Titans defense with 10 tackles including a tackle for a loss of one and one hurry. 

Prior to the game, Head Coach Ryan Munz said the key was going to be slow down UW-Oshkosh's offense early and get them out of rhythem, the Pioneers achieved just that. UW-Platteville kicked off to start the game and forced a quick three and out. The next Titan drive was haulted three snaps in when Aidan Tyk intercepted Berghammer and returned it three yards to the UWO 44-yard line. 

The Pioneers punted and UW-Oshkosh's next drive ended with the Pioneers stopping the Titans on fourth-and-one at the Titans 38-yard line. Michael Priami and the offense took to the field and Priami's first snap was a 38-yard pass and touchdown to Garrett Stare. A failed point after gave the Pioneers the 6-0 lead with 6:48 remaining in the first quarter. 

Two plays later Allen intercepted Berghammer for the second time in the first nine minutes of the game and returned it 49 yards all the way for another touchdown. Jared Scheberl's extra point extended the lead to 13-0 with 6:32 to go in the first quarter. 

UW-Oshkosh went for three on a 25-yard field goal attempt, but the kick went left and kept the Titans scoreless. 

The Titans next drive at the start of the second quarter ended on back-to-back quarterback hurries by Aidan Sproule and Samuel Tausz with Tyk also tallying a pass breakup on fourth down and three at the Pioneers 34-yard line. 

Multiple punts were exchanged until the Pioneers took over with 2:05 left in the half and knowing a score would keep momentum on their side going into the break. Seven plays later, Priami found Brandt Stare way down field and Stare showcased another incredible catch for a 41-yard reception which placed UW-Platteville three yards out of the Titans endzone. Scheberl finished the drive with a 20-yard field goal which boosted the Pioneers lead to 16-0 going into halftime.  

UW-Platteville received to open the second half and moved 72 yards in 10 plays with Brandt Stare rushing eight yards for a touchdown and the 22-0 lead with 9:55 remaining in the third quarter. 

A 29-yard kick return followed by a 33-yard carry by Berghammer opened the next drive which ended with a four-yard run and touchdown by the Titan quarterback. 

The Pioneers next series ended with a turnover on downs, but the following UW-Oshkosh drive hardly got started before Nicholas Alberico intercepted Berghammer for the third time at the Titan 38-yard line on second down and seven.

UW-Platteville's drive ended with a failed 29-yard field goal attempt, but the 12-play, 26-yard drive  did eat away 4:15 and put the Titans on their own 20-yard line with just seconds left before the fourth quarter.  

UW-Oshkosh's chances looked promising on the next drive with the Titans set up on first and goal at the two-yard line, but a huge forced fumble and fumble recovery by Blazek handed the ball back to the Pioneers on their own four-yard line.  

The Pioneers went three and out and the Titans got the ball back near midfield with 9:13 left in the game. Logan Drone sacked Berghammer before the Titans moved the chains. On the Titans next second and 11, Blazek and Smith sacked Berghammer for a loss of two yards. On the following snap, it was Smith again with the sack for a loss of six. A final pass breakup by Tyk on fourth down and 19 removed almost all the Titans hope at a comeback. 

UW-Oshkosh had one more opportunity to lessen their deficit, but Bergammer was sacked by Smith again on third and ten for a loss of 13 to the Titans two-yard line.

With 2:48 remaining, the Pioneers took over at the UW-Oshkosh 49-yard line. Habedank moved the ball 25 yards on five carries and Priami hit Brandt Stare for an 18-yard reception before two kneels ran out the clock.

The Pioneers will return to action next Saturday, November 11 for the season finale. UW-Platteville will host UW-Stout in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium on Senior Day with kick off set for 2 p.m. Next Saturday's game will also be Veterans Day where all veterans and active military receive free entry. 

*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.