The University of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneer football team went into triple overtime, battling the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh Titans through the first accumulating snowfall of the winter season, Saturday. The game resulted in a tough 30-27 Pioneer defeat.

“It was an exciting game for Pioneer Football,” Mike Emendorfer, Pioneer football head coach, said. “I was very proud of our players and the way they battled throughout a long afternoon, into the night, in a very cold but pretty atmosphere with the snow flying down and us playing in it.”

The first quarter was off to a slow start for the Pioneers until senior defensive back, Rob Austin, blocked a Titan field goal attempt, shutting out the Titans first opportunity to score.

After a scoreless first quarter, Pioneer fans were on their feet as a second Titan field goal kick bounced off the goal post.

The Titans came back later in the second quarter with a successful field goal, changing the scoreboards for the first time of the game, giving the Titans a 3-0 lead.

Senior quarterback Bryce Corrigan promptly responded, finding junior wide receiver, Russell Martin, for a 10-yard touchdown pass. The Pioneers headed into half time with a 7-3 lead over the Titans.

Snow continued to fall well into the second half as the Titans came back in the third quarter surging through the Pioneer defense. The Titans broke away with a commanding 65-yard touchdown run, closing out the third quarter with a 10-7 lead.

Next, Corrigan made a nine-play, 92-yard drive down the field. The Pioneers tied the score 10-10 after freshman kicker, Pat Frio, completed a 23-yard field goal.

The fourth quarter concluded as a tie and sent the teams into their first overtime.

As the Pioneers started with the ball on the 25 yard line, they were able to capitalize quickly.

Corrigan completed a 14-yard pass to sophomore wide receiver Dan Arnold, making the score 17-10.

The Titans responded with a touchdown of their own, tying it up again, 17-17, and sending the teams into their second overtime.

The Titans found the end zone once again but the Pioneers pushed forward with Corrigan completing a 15-yard pass to senior wide receiver, Trevor Whitehead. The pair of touchdowns from each team brought them a third overtime with the score tied at 24.

The third and final frigid overtime was marked by bated breath as the Pioneers crept ahead of the Titans with a field goal for a score of 27-24.

The Titans had one last opportunity to pull ahead for the victory, and after a plethora of missed tackles by the Pioneer defense, the game ended abruptly in favor of the Titans, 30-27.

According to senior running back, Andy Puccini, the snow did not affect the performance of either team.

“I did what I could to help, I just wanted to win,” Puccini said. “I thought we might have a chance at the playoffs.”

The Pioneers lost a possible bid in the D-III playoffs with their defeat Saturday.

“We came out as a team, and finished as a team, we just fell a little short,” Martin said.

Saturday’s game was also a farewell to 18 senior players.

“I’m going to miss the guys that are graduating,” Martin said. “I’m going to miss playing with them, especially the ones that I’ve been playing with since I’ve been here.”

Emendorfer expressed a similar bittersweet sentiment.

“Before the game, I get all the senior parents together and talk to them about their sons,” Emendorfer said. “The senior day – announcing each senior, shaking their hand, giving them a hug – that’s my favorite moment.”

The Pioneers ended their 2014 season with a record of 7 wins and 3 losses.

The seniors concluded their careers with a 4-year cumulative record of 32-10, which marks one of the best senior class records in Pioneer history.

“For coaches and the returning players, we can say next year that they’re definitely going to remember their last game,” Emendorfer said. “With that type of environment and the snow and the three overtimes, I think that it was a great game to be a part of, and it capped off the season against a very good team at Oshkosh.”

As of now there are 18 returning players that will be seniors on next year’s team.