By Daniel Schoettler
Sports Correspondent
The UW-Whitewater football team used a fourth quiarter come back to start conference play Saturday by beating the UW-Platteville Pioneers 30-24. As a result of the win, the Warhawks retained the Miner’s Pick, which both teams play for in honor of former Platteville coach, George Chryst.
After getting the ball at the 28-yard line after a punt went over the head of UW-Whitewater punter Michael Schwictenberg, Quarterback Tom Kelly completed a 25-yard touchdown pass to Patrick Sheehan to give the Pioneers the first score of the game. Later in the first quarter, the Warhawks got on the board on a 48 yard field goal by kicker Will Meyer to cut the game to 7-3.
Early in the second quarter, UW-Whitewater quarterback Cole Wilber and Manny Jones connected on a 68-yard touchdown pass to give the Warhawks their first lead at 10-7. With 6:15 remaining in the first half, the Warhawks got back on the board as Wilber hooked up with Marcus Hudson for a 25-yard touchdown pass to make it 17-7.
UW-Platteville quarterback Tom Kelly got the Pioneers back on the board with a four-yard touchdown run to cut the Warhawks lead to three at 17-14 at the half.
The Pioneers would tie things up at 17 with 6:10 remaining in the third quarter as Samuel Herkert hit a 22-yard field goal. Will Meyer would answer the Pioneers field goal for the Warhawks with a 26-yard attempt to give the Warhawks the lead back at 20-17 early in the fourth quarter.
With 10:41 remaining in the fourth quarter, the Pioneers regained the lead at 24-20 as Kelly connected with wide receiver Dan Arnold on a 14-yard touchdown pass. Late in the fourth quarter, Cole Wilber answered with his third touchdown of the game as he hit Canton Larson on a four-yard touchdown pass to give the Warhawks the 27-24 lead.
After a Benny Threloff fumble recovery, Meyer connected on his third field goal of the game from 42 yards out to make it 30-24. With the Pioneers backs to the wall, the Warhawks sealed a victory as Colin Buck came up with the dagger on his fourth interception of the season.
Cole Wilber was leading passer for the Warhawks going 14-for-23 for 246 yards with three touchdowns and one interception. Senior quarterback Chris Nelson was 6-for-9 for 62 yards.
Drew Patterson was the leading rusher for the Warhawks with 18 carries for 100 yards. Jarrod Ware ran the ball for 42 yards on 15 carries.
Sophomore wide receiver Manny Jones was the leading receiver with three receptions for 106 yards and a touchdown. Marcus Hudson had five receptions for 91 yards and a touchdown.
UW-Platteville quarterback Tom Kelly was 29-for-51 for 435 yards and two touchdowns and one interception. Kelly was also Platteville’s leading rusher with 13 carries for 27 yards.
Dan Arnold led the Pioneers in receiving with ten receptions for 184 yards and a touchdown. Patrick Sheehan also had over 100 yards receiving with eight catches for 112 yards.
The Warhawks improve to 4-0 on the season and go to 1-0 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference. The team will continue the conference with a top five matchup at home on Family Day on Saturday against rival UW-Oshkosh.
