Lee Vlasak's three touchdowns led the Pioneers past UW-River
Falls 38-17 on Saturday in Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
The Pioneers scored first by a blocked punt by Ryan McWethy and
returned by Hank McIvor for a 21-yard touchdown. Vlasak ended the
first-quarter with a 68-yard touchdown run. The Pioneers would go
into halftime with a 24-0 lead by a 25-yard field goal by Zach
Litchfield and a 57-yard touchdown run by Sean Martinez.
The Falcons cut the Pioneer lead to 24-10 with a 1-yard
touchdown run by Ryan Luessenheide and a 37-yard field goal by Chad
Blair. Nick Anderson would put the game away in fourth-quarter for
UW-Platteville with two touchdown passes to Vlasak.
The Pioneers rushed a season-best 220 yards, with 124 yards from
Vlasak and 61 yards from Martinez. Darin Blaser and Vlasak each
caught three passes for 51 yards and 81 yards respectably. Dave
Daino led the Pioneer defense with 11 tackles, followed by 9
tackles by Ross Mueller and 8 tackles apiece by Eric Leander and
Brian Snyder.
UW-River Falls' Taylor Edwards rushed for 103 yards, and 59
yards by John Schimenz. Ryan Luessenheide threw for 85 yards all in
the second half.
UW-Platteville improved to 5-3 overall and 3-2 in conference,
while UW-River Falls dropped to 0-8 overall and 0-5 in
conference.
The Pioneers play host to UW-Stout for Senior Day next Saturday
Nov. 6 at 2 p.m. and travel to UW-Stevens Point on Nov. 13.
