The UW-Platteville football team fell to UW-Whitewater in their WIAC opener by a score of 35-3.

According to the WIAC Web site, UW-W entered the season ranked number two in the nation, with seven first place votes. The Warhawks are looking for their fifth consecutive WIAC championship.

The Pioneers traveled to UW-W on Oct. 3 for their first conference game of the season looking to upset the Warhawks.

According to the UW-P Sports Information Web site, the annual game was played in memory of former Pioneer Coach George Chryst, who passed away suddenly in 1992.

The Warhawks scored three touchdowns in the first half of the game. The Pioneers started a scoring drive with 10:26 to go in the second quarter.

According to the UW-P Sports Information Web site, senior Tony Smidl gave the Pioneers their only score on the day with a 27-yard field goal with 4:49 left in the second quarter. Freshman quarterback Nick Anderson and junior running back Brandon Hertrampf combined for a 29-yard passing play to set up Smidl’s kick.

At halftime, the Warhawks led 21-3 over the Pioneers.

The situation on field did not improve for the Pioneers in the second half. The Warhawks scored on a 36-yard touchdown pass and converted the extra point in their opening drive of the second half. UW-W turned the ball over on downs. The Pioneers defense held the Warhawks for the rest of the third quarter keeping it a 28-3 game.

UW-W scored on a 10-yard touchdown run with the extra point attempt good to make it a 35-3 game.  UW-P’s offense continued to struggle with Anderson throwing an interception with 10:23 left in the fourth quarter.

The Pioneers had only 52 yards in rushing and 184 yards in passing for a total of 236 yards for the day.

Freshman Hank McIvor led UW-P in rushing with 48 yards. Anderson completed 26 passes out of 41 attempts for 175 yards and threw two interceptions. Hertrampf caught seven passes for 59 yards to lead the Pioneers. Junior Brian Snyder led the UW-P defense with ten tackles.

UW-W improves to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the WIAC. The Pioneers fall to 2-2 overall and 0-1 in conference play.

UW-P will look to bounce back at home against UW-La Crosse for Homecoming on Saturday, Oct. 10, with kick-off at 2 p.m. at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.