Senior Day was a day for the record books with the University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers 62-20 rout of the visiting University of Wisconsin-Stout Blue Devils.
The win brought the team’s record to 7-2 overall, 4-2 in the WIAC.
Sophomore quarterback Bryce Corrigan’s seven touchdown passes and sophomore wide receiver Trevor Whitehead’s four touchdown receptions both set new university records in a game that proved to be an offensive spectacle. Corrigan earned WIAC Offensive Player of the Week honors.
The 62 points is the most scored by a Pioneer team since 1971, and the most under head coach Mike Emendorfer.
The Pioneers honored 12 seniors before the game, and the team felt obligated to perform well for the occasion.
“We had a solid week of practice, and we wanted to go out and get this one for the seniors. I think we accomplished that today,” Corrigan said. “It really is a whole offense accomplishment not any one individual, but it was pretty sweet.”
The Pioneers offense put up one big play after another. Three of the four touchdown passes from Corrigan to Whitehead were over 40 yards.
Senior running back Travis Nelson capped off the day’s scoring with a 77-yard rush in the fourth quarter.
The defense did their part, holding the Blue Devils to 20 points and had two interceptions on the day. Senior safety Ryan McWethy and senior defensive back Tommy Magna led the way with McWethy accumulating 11 tackles and Magna with eight tackles and an interception.
“It was a good day for the seniors,” Magna said. “When you score this many points, it really allows for all of (the seniors) to play, and that’s what I will take away from this day.”
The team’s staggering offensive output was not lost on their head coach.
“It was an impressive performance by our team and especially by our seniors,” Emendorfer said. “When this senior class came in I don’t think anyone would have expected for their final game at home to be a 62-20 victory.”
In the final game of the regular season, the Pioneers will go to University of Wisconsin-Stevens Point to take on the Pointers. With a bid for the playoffs still within reach, the game could be one of the most important of the year.
“The key thing is the dream is still alive,” Emendorfer said. “We have an opportunity to go to Stevens Point, and if we win the football game, we have an opportunity still to go to the playoffs.”
The Pointers (2-7, 1-5 WIAC) have struggled this season, but they stunned University of Wisconsin-Whitewater 17-14 Oct. 27, and the Pioneers know they are the target of the Pointers next upset bid.
“Stevens Point beat Whitewater,” Whitehead said. “So, we can’t overlook them. We need to have a good week of practice and do everything we can to win next week.”
