History: Pioneers Clinch Share of First Title Since 1980

Using a big-play offense, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team secured at least a share of the 2024 WIAC football title, defeating UW-Eau Claire 56-14 at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. It is the 15^th title in program history and first since 1980.

The win moves No. 8 nationally ranked UW-Platteville to 8-1 on the season and 5-1 in the league. The Pioneers will control their own destiny next Saturday as a win would secure an outright title and automatic bid to the NCAA playoffs.

The Pioneers turned in season-highs in total offense (577 yards) and passing yards (388 yards) against the Blugolds (2-7, 1-5 WIAC) on Saturday. Senior Michael Priami completed 21-of-29 attempts and passed for over 300 yards for the second time this season, totaling 334 yards and a career-best six touchdowns. Priami hit 300 yards and five touchdowns by halftime which marks the second time this season the senior has passed for five touchdowns in the first half of a game.

Sophomore Harrison Meyer put a damper on the WIAC's leading passer, Harry Roubidoux, intercepting the Blugold twice and returning the first one 65 yards down the home sideline. The Pioneers turned both turnovers into two of their five touchdowns in the second quarter.  

Senior Ryan Doherty hauled in seven receptions for a career-high 129 yards and another career-high three touchdowns. Doherty's first touchdown of the day was a 28-yard pass from Priami to the corner of the endzone, but the second was a double pass from Priami to junior receiver and former high school quarterback Trevor Syse who found Doherty in the endzone for a 34-yard completion.  Priami hit Doherty for a 23-yard pass and Doherty dove into the endzone for his third touchdown with just a minute left in the half, putting UW-Platteville ahead 49-7 at the break.

Senior Brandt Stare had another banner day, hauling in 115 receiving yards on six catches for three touchdowns of his own. Stare broke two program career records during the game: Jason Leonard's (199-2003) 218 receptions and Matt Kent's (2000-03) 2,958 receiving yards records. The Pioneer also moved into first in the WIAC record book, passing UW-Whitewater's Jake Kumerow's career record of 36 receiving touchdowns set in 2014. With at least one game remaining in the season, Stare now holds program records for career touchdowns (37), career receptions (221) and career receiving yards (2,974). Stare's highlight reel of the day includes a second quarter screen where the Pioneer broke a tackle and then turned on the burners to outrun every defender down the visitor sideline for a 60-yard touchdown.

Sophomore Zackary Bothun's nine-yard carry scored the first touchdown of the day and Bothun paced the Pioneers run game with 74 yards on nine carries. Senior Tag Habedank finished with a game-high 11 carries, adding another 55 yards.

On defense, the Pioneers held the Blugolds scoreless in both the first and fourth quarters while also keeping the Blugolds to 3-10 on third down and 0-2 on fourth down tries. In addition to Harrison's two interceptions, sophomore Elijah Krantz, junior Andrew Haas and freshman Rob Francis each forced a fumble in the game and the Pioneers took possession after one of the three following a fumble recovery by senior Andrey Denson.

Junior Logan Drone finished with a game-high seven tackles, including one sack for a loss of eight and two tackles for a loss of nine. Junior Will Straka tallied six tackles, including four solos.

The Pioneers will return to action on Saturday, November 16 when they travel to UW-Stout where the Blue Devils will be in the hunt for clinching a piece of the WIAC title for themselves. Kickoff is schedule for 1 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.