PLATTEVILLE, Wis.­­­ — Voted to finish second in preseason predictions in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer football team will be returning 35 letter winners and 11 starters for the 2015 season. Last year, the team finished with an overall record of 7-3. 

Pioneers Head Coach Mike Emendorfer and the team will welcome two new staff members to the squad, including defensive assistant Jeff Hand, who previously coached at Westminster College in New Wilmington, Penn. and Benedictine University in Lisle, Ill., along with defensive coordinator and linebackers coach Mike Schmidt, who previously coached at the University of Dubuque in Dubuque, Iowa and Minnesota State University Mankato in Mankato, Minn. Schmidt was also an All-WIAC fullback at UW-La Crosse. “We are very excited to have Mike as the leader of our defense,” said Emendorfer. “He brings a tremendous amount of knowledge, energy and passion for the game.” 

After losing three All-WIAC offensive line selections in Brian Lurquin, Brian Johnson and Jason Eddy, the Pioneers will look to junior Brett Jerdee and senior Mike Baird to lead the offensive line. 

“We lost a tremendous group of seniors in our 2014 class, but we have some exciting returning players and are anxious to see some of our juniors and sophomores step up,” said Emendorfer. 

Seniors Russell Martin, Mitch Munda and junior Dan Arnold will fill the wide receiver slots, while junior Tom Kelly will fill the shoes of second team All-WIAC quarterback Bryce Corrigan. 

As for defense, the Pioneers return key defensive backs in seniors Devon Vance, Andre Cooper and Logan Emendorfer and two senior linebackers in Andrew Belken and Alex Johnson. Junior defensive lineman Austin Young will return to the line as well as senior first team All-WIAC defensive lineman Andrew Robinson. 

The Pioneers will host six home games this season, including non-conference meetings against Buena Vista and 11th ranked North Central College. The team will also head to the University of Dubuque for the annual Battle of the Bridge rivalry. 

After the bye week, UW-Platteville will travel to take on defending national champions UW-Whitewater to kick-off conference play. The schedule doesn't lighten up from there, as the Pioneers will take on UW-Stevens Point at home before heading to UW-River Falls to compete with the Falcons. 

“Our team has been working hard and is extremely excited to get back out onto the football field,” said Emendorfer. “Our schedule is very competitive this year, and we look forward to the challenges that it presents us with.” 

The Pioneers will start the 2015 season at home against Buena Vista on Saturday, Sept. 5 at 1 p.m.