Pioneers Fall to Wartburg in NCAA III Second Round

WAVERLY, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team fell 19-14 on the frigid turf at Walston-Hoover Stadium Saturday afternoon in the NCAA DIII Second Round, hosted at Wartburg College.  

The 2024 WIAC Champions close out their historic season at 9-2 while Wartburg improves to 10-1. The Pioneers were making their third ever appearance in the NCAA DIII Championships, and first since 2016. UW-Platteville is now 1-3 in playoff games. 

A slow start and turnovers hindered the Pioneers' momentum for much of the day. After the Knights found the endzone on their first possession of the game, an interception set them up for a field goa, putting Wartburg ahead 10-0 after the first quarter. 

Following another turnover at the start of the second quarter, the Pioneers forced a three-and-out situation. UW-Platteville took over seven minutes off the clock in their next possession. After three successful third downs and another first down on 4^th and three, senior Michael Priami ran in the Pioneers only score of the half, cutting Wartburg's lead to 10-7 at halftime. 

Senior Nicholas Alberico intercepted Wartburg on the opening drive of the third quarter, but the Pioneers were unable to cash in on the Knight turnover. Wartburg kicked a 33-yard field goal on their next possession and intercepted Priami on the following Pioneer drive.

The Pioneers blocked Wartburg's next field goal attempt, but the Knights used a 52-yard run on their following drive to extend their lead 19-7 with 4:45 left in the game.  

UW-Platteville got the ball back and went 17 yards on 16 plays in 3:35. The drive finished when Priami found senior Brandt Stare for a four-yard touchdown pass, cutting the Knights lead to 19-14. 

Priami completed 29-of-40 attempts for 199 yards and one touchdown, while running in a second touchdown. With the final touchdown of his career, Priami ties the school record for most passing touchdowns in a season with 37. 

On the ground, freshman Alex Marre led the way with 42 yards on seven carries while sophomore Zackary Bothun added 19 yards on six carries and registered seven receptions for 40 yards. Junior Carter Olson led the team with 42 receiving yards and Stare was not far behind with 38 yards on six receptions. Stare wraps up his illustrious career second all-time for most career touchdowns (46), having already set career records for receiving touchdowns, receiving yards and receptions. 

Overall, UW-Platteville put up 248 yards of total offense compared to 319 by the Knights. The Pioneers saw 199 yards through the air and 49 yards on the ground while Wartburg rushed for 221.  

On defense, Alberico closed out his career pacing the Pioneers with 12 tackles, a 15-yard return on the second half interception and two pass breakups. Also, in double-digits was junior Will Straka with 11 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for a loss of two yards. 

After capturing the WIAC outright title, the Pioneers finished the season with three wins over national ranked teams. UW-Platteville was also 6-0 at home in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium, the team's first undefeated season at home since 2013.