Interceptions and fumbles proved to be the UW-Platteville football team’s demise on Oct. 20 as the Pioneers fell to UW-Eau Claire 40-33.

Coming off their first WIAC win of the season, the Pioneers fumbled and threw away whatever chance they had for a second conference win at UW-EC as the Blugolds turned six UW-P turnovers into a victory, improving their record to 6-2 overall and 3-2 in the conference.

A solid defensive effort put forth by the Pioneers forced four Blugold turnovers and kept the game close for UW-P.

Three Pioneers intercepted passes and one recovered a fumble in an effort that held UW-EC to 254 yards of offense.

UW-P’s offensive line racked up 361 total yards but turned the ball over six times, four of which led to Blugold touchdowns.

UW-EC jumped out to an early lead as the Blugolds recovered two fumbles in the first quarter, both of which led to touchdowns.

David Akey blocked Blugold kicker Craig Kolb’s first extra point attempt, making the score 13-0.

The Pioneers put their first points of the game on the board at the 2:24 mark of the first quarter with a two-yard pass from quarterback John Akim to Elliott Wolf. Tony Smidl’s kick for the extra point went wide of the goal post.

Ben Lusted’s interception on the Blugold’s next drive gave the Pioneers the ball back and led to a touchdown as Mike Genslinger scored on a one-yard run three seconds into the second quarter.

Blugold Craig Polifka intercepted a pass from Akim at the 11:57 mark and returned the ball 43 yards for a touchdown, upping the score to 20-13.

The Pioneers got another opportunity to score off a fumble recovery by Chris Booze, but after three incomplete passes, UW-P was forced to punt.

Brandon Willger got the ball back for the Pioneers as he intercepted a pass from Blugold quarterback Mitch Schaeuble.

Smidl’s 32-yard field goal brought the Pioneers within four points of UW-EC, but the Blugolds answered back with a field goal and took a 27-16 lead into the locker room at halftime.

UW-EC came out strong in the third with a 31-yard interception return for a touchdown.

Closing in on the Blugold’s lead, Genslinger ran the ball into the end zone from two yards out, bringing the Pioneers within 11 points.

David Pietrowiak’s interception closed the gap a little more as Smidl made good on another field goal opportunity for the Pioneers. However, the Blugolds answered back with two fourth quarter field goals of their own.

The Pioneers scored one more time off a 17-yard touchdown pass from Akim to Dan Schwartz with 30 seconds left in the game, but it was not enough as the Blugolds ran out the clock, ending the game 40-33.

“The turnovers definitely cost us the game,” Nick Grosso said. “Statistically the team that has more turnovers loses the game, especially when they have six.”

Akim completed 18 of 37 passes for 221 yards. Schwartz caught five passes for 108 yards, and Genslinger rushed for 69 yards.

Justin Athey led the Pioneers on defense with 10 total tackles and a sack. Both Booze and Athey each had three tackles for a loss against the Blugolds.

“We took the loss hard, but we know that in our conference we can’t dwell on the loss,” Lusted said.

With three more chances left to end the season on a winning note, the Pioneers are looking to finish strong.

“The loss was very tough for the team,” Grosso said. “It is important for us to play the last three games with a sense of urgency and finish the season right.”

UW-P will take on the Falcons at 1 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 27, at UW-River Falls. Both teams are currently 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the conference.

“I think that at this point in the season everyone on the team, including the coaching staff, is a little frustrated because we know that we are better than what we have shown on the field,” Athey, senior outside linebacker, said. “But we have three big games left and we feel there is still a lot to play for.”