After a disappointing 45-14 loss to Augustana last year, the Pioneers used a strong defensive performance along with a top-notch performance by receiver Joe Danielson en route to a 24-7 victory over the team from Illinois.

The Pioneers got things going early as senior quarterback Brent Nelson found Danielson in the end zone twice in the first quarter, both on 49 yard- passing receptions. The first touchdown came with 8:32 to play in the first quarter, while the second touchdown came with 3:10 left in the first quarter.

“Every time that we went to three receiver sets, they went to a cover-three, and me and receiver Brian Gallick would run skinny posts and they seemed to be open all day, and Nelson did a good job of finding me on the skinny posts,” Danielson said.

After a 43-yard touchdown run by Augustana in the second quarter, running back Mike Genslinger got the Pioneers back in the scoring column with a 1-yard touchdown run. After a scoreless third quarter, freshman kicker Tony Smidl provided the only scoring in the second half with a 28-yard field goal with 4:51 to play in the game to give the Pioneers a 24-7 victory over Augustana.

The Pioneer defense held the Augustana offense to just 251 total yards compared to that of 374 produced by the Pioneers. Leading the way defensively for the Pioneers was junior linebacker Matt Eastlick, who led the team in tackles with 10.

“The defensive line did an outstanding job in taking on blockers and freeing the linebackers to make a play,” Eastlick said.

Quarterback Brent Nelson led the Pioneers through the air with 242 yards while sophomore Tyson Droessler led the Pioneers on the ground with 97 yards on 20 carries.

Danielson led the Pioneers in receiving with 197 yards on seven receptions. Augustana as a team managed only 80 yards receiving.

“I didn’t really know at the end of the game how many yards I had,” Danielson said. “I thought I had about 120, but it feels good to have that many yards and to see our team come out on top.”

After two wins this season, compared to just one victory last season, the Pioneer’s have high hopes for conference play.

“This year we are playing every play till the play is over ,” Droessler said. “Our linemen are amazing this year. We are putting everything together.”

At halftime, the five newest members of the UW-P Hall of Fame were introduced, inlcuding Rob Jeter, ‘91, Doug Marnocha, ‘62, Make Rae, ‘89, David Shumway, ‘91, and Chris Zwettler, ‘79.

The Pioneers will open up conference play against UW-Stout with a 1 p.m. contest on Saturday, Sept. 30th at Ralph E. Davis Stadium.