Pioneers Run Away with 41-24 Win Over Blue Devils on Senior Day

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. - The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Football Team (6-4, 4-3 WIAC) defeated UW-Stout (4-6, 2-5 WIAC) 41-24 on Senior Day at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. 

Big plays by both the offense and defense paired with a pile of six turnovers forced by the veteran defense summed up an all-around strong finish by the Pioneers in their regular season finale. The Pioneers rushed for two touchdowns of 72 plus yards each and intercepted the Blue Devils a season-high five times.

The Pioneers totaled 519 yards total offense, sending 233 through the air and stacking up 286 yards on 36 carries. The Blue Devils finished with 424 yards of total offense including 356 yards passing and 68 yards on 23 rushing attempts. 

Michael Priami completed 23-of-33 attempts for a total of 233 yards. Priami passed for both two touchdowns and interceptions. UW-Stout's Mith Waechter finished 32-of-56 for a career-high 356 yards while passing for three touchdowns and the five interceptions. 

Ryan Doherty led the team with nine catches, including a touchdown. Brandt Stare had a team-high 84 receiving yards, including the first touchdown of the game which now places Stare tied for first place in program history with 16 total touchdowns on the season. 

Zackary Bothun had a day, posting a career high 186 yards on 26 carries and two touchdowns, including the race down the field for an 81-yard touchdown and a new program record. Tag Habedank finished with 76 yards off three carries and also had a 72-yard race down the field to the endzone.

Arthur Cox led UW-Stout and hauled in 11 receptions for 103 yards while Carter Fonger netted 59 yards on eight rushes. 

On defense, the Pioneers crew had Ralph E. Davis on its feet multiple times with huge stops and turnovers. Justin Blazek finished the day with two sacks for a loss of 16 yards, three tackles for loss of 19 yards a forced fumble and six tackles. Sam Smith (8 yards), Nicholas Allen, Aidan Tyk (2 yards), Samuel Tausz and Ollie Hughes accounted for the five interceptions. Nicholas Alberico paced the Pioneers with 21 tackles while Tausz also tallied the fumble recovery on the Blue Devils opening drive.

Cannon Griner had a game-high 11 tackles for the Blue Devils. 

Prior to the game, the Pioneers celebrated the senior class of 24 student-athletes and one student coach. The senior class included:

Blake Heinberg
Andrew Schweigert
Alex Blizzard
Jared Scheberl
Joseph Mlachnik
Aidan Sproule
Justin Blazek
Jack Dietzen
Colton Ingram
Samuel Tausz
Luke Kreilkamp
Sam Smith
Travis Brent
Gerrit Schomaker
Rece Shelton
Logan Turigliatti
Connor Brown
Tyler Bacon
Nicholas Allen
Austin Gitter
Daniel Sadkowski
Sean McMillan
Aidan Tyk
Lucas Petersen
Peyton Lind

The Pioneers finish their 2023 season 6-4 overall and 4-3 in the WIAC, the teams best finish since 2019. An opportunity for one final game this season still remains as the Culver's Isthmus Bowl Game participants will be announced following the NCAA Playoffs Selection Show on Sunday.