Pioneers kick off season with shutout win over Lakeland

PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (1-0) started the 2024 season with a 65-0 win over Lakeland University (0-1) on Saturday night at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. 

It's the team's first shutout since a 56-0 victory over UW-Eau Claire on Nov. 2, 2016.  In Saturday's win, the Pioneers assembled 51 points in the first half alone. 

The defense held the Muskies to -27 net rushing yards, a new school record which breaks the previous -21 yards record set in 2021. 

Three quarterbacks combined for seven passing touchdowns, tying the school record. Accounting for five of the touchdown passes was senior Michael Priami. The career-high for Priami is tied for fourth with most touchdowns by an individual in a single game. In all, the senior finished the day completing all 6-of-6 attempts for 176 yards, with five passes for 117 yards and four touchdowns falling in the first quarter alone. 

Freshman Nathan Uselding made his college debut Saturday completing 8-of-10 attempts for 82 yards and a touchdown. Senior Nathan Shackelford completed 4-of-5 attempts for 45 yards and a touchdown. 

Six different receivers accounted for the seven passing touchdowns and senior Brandt Stare's 59-yard reception was the longest of the evening. Six of the seven touchdown passes were for 24 yards or more. 

Defensively, eight sacks for a loss of 80 yards is just one of the highlights from Saturday night's playmakers. Junior Riley Christensen, who finished with 2.5 sacks for a loss of 24 yards, got the fun started with a sack on the Muskies' very first snap of the game. Senior Elijah Krantz not only paced the Pioneers with four solo tackles and three assists, but also picked off the Muskies on the very first play of the second quarter and returned it 25 yards for a touchdown. 

Other highlights from the night include sophomore Carter Olson's 30-yard punt return, another interception by sophomore Andrew Bowles, and blocked punts by sophomore Dylan Warren and senior Kyle Antos.

Freshman Trevor Schulz was a perfect 7-of-7 on extra points and tallied 630 yards on 10 kickoffs, including six touchbacks. 

Even while working with mainly short fields all night following several blocked and erratic punts, the Pioneers totaled 473 yards of offense with 18 pass completions accounting for 303 yards. The Muskies were held to 147 yards of total offense and were never able to break into the redzone. 

Lakeland's Robby Michael completed 15-of-33 attempts for 161 yards and was picked off twice. Kolby Cohen led the team with five catches for 73 yards, including a 47-yard long.  

The Muskies defense was highlighted by Deamonte Arroyo's five tackles and Michael Dye's interception. 

The Pioneers will return to action and Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium next Saturday, September 14 when they host the University of Dubuque at 7 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.