UW-River Falls Wins Second Straight Isthmus Bowl

**Release courtesy of University Of Wisconsin-Platteville Pioneers

SUN PRAIRIE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (7-4) defeated the Augustana College Vikings (8-3) 36-10 in the third annual Culver's Isthmus Bowl held at the Bank of Sun Prairie Stadium on Saturday afternoon. The Isthmus Bowl takes the top remaining team in both the WIAC and CCIW conferences that did not earn an NCAA Division III berth.  

The Pioneers came out of the gates swinging and scored 20 unanswered points in the first quarter alone while never allowing a Viking first down until the final minute of the opening quarter. It was not until midway through the third quarter that the Vikings got on the score board.

UW-Platteville's dominate defense forced a quick three and out on the opening drive of the game. The Pioneers then moved 62 yards in seven plays, but their opening series was spoiled with a fumble at the goal line which was recovered by the Vikings. Two plays later, Sam Smith forced a fumble at Augustana's 21-yard line and Nicholas Allen recovered it to return possession to UW-Platteville. On the following play, Carl Richardson hit Ryan Doherty for a touchdown with 9:26 left in the first quarter.  

The Pioneers defense forced another quick three and out and the Pioneers got to work starting at their own 13-yard line. On second and 10, Zackary Bothun bounced off a tackle and outran the rest of the defense for a 48-yard touchdown, giving the Pioneers a 14-0 lead with 3:31 left in the quarter.

The Vikings went three and out for the third time in the quarter and this time their punt attempt was blocked and recovered by the Pioneers at the Augustana 29-yard line. Richardson found Brandt Stare on the very next play for a 29-yard touchdown. A blocked point after gave the Pioneers their 20-0 lead with just a minute left in the first.

Augustana intercepted Richardson with 42 second remaining in the first half and it looked like the Vikings could gain momentum going into halftime. Samuel Tausz had different plans and intercepted Augustana's Bhardwaj on the following play and returned it 24 yards to the Vikings 16-yard line. Richardson hit Brandt Stare again and Stare stayed in bounds and hit the pylon to give the Pioneers a 27-0 lead going into the half.

The Vikings scored on a 12-yard pass in their opening drive of the second half, but it would be nearly eight minutes later until they would have another chance to cut the Pioneer's lead.

UW-Platteville used 7:27 minutes and 16 plays on its next possession to move 88 yards. The drive finished with Richardson finding Brandt Stare once again for a three-yard pass and touchdown.

Trailing 34-7, the Vikings got the ball back with less than two minutes remaining in the third quarter and they were forced to settle for three points when Rece Shelton sacked Bhardwaj for a loss of 10 yards on third and goal.  

The Pioneers punted on their next drive and Jered Scheberl's punt placed the Vikings at their own three-yard line. On second and eight, Smith sacked Bhardwaj for a loss of seven and Luke German followed Smith's lead and sacked the Viking the following snap for a safety, and the 36-10 lead with 6:28 left in the game.

UW-Platteville totaled 394 yards of offense, sending 240 yards through the air. The Vikings totaled 242 yards with 155 yards passed.

Richardson completed 21-of-30 attempts for 225 yards, four touchdowns and one interception. Richardson's favorite target was the game's Most Valuable Player, Brandt Stare who caught eight passes for 95 yards and three touchdowns.

Bothun rushed for a game-high 166 yards off 22 caries and scored one touchdown.

Cole Bhardwaj finished 18-of-25 and passed for one touchdown and one interception. Breyden Smith had a team-high six receptions while Ethan Vrabec led the Vikings with 32 receiving yards.

Mike DiGioia led the Vikings with 73 yards off 12 carries.

Smith led the Pioneers defense with 16 total tackles, including 10 solo. Smith forced two fumbles and added one sack and TFL for a loss of seven which was also nearly a safety.  Justin Blazek finished the day with 2.5 tackles for a loss of 14, one sack for a loss of nine, one pass breakup and six tackles.

Rukkus Hunkins led the Vikings defense with 12 tackles, one TFL, one forced fumble and recovery  and a pass breakup.

The Pioneers celebrated the victory after the game with the Culver's Isthmus Bowl trophy presentation. The victory marks the third consecutive victory by the WIAC's representing team.