MARSHALL, Texas – A second half comeback by the #16 University of Wisconsin-Platteville spoiled the East Texas Baptist University football team's season opener at Ornelas Stadium, 59-44, to the Pioneers. ETBU scored 37 points in the first half but the momentum didn't carry over into the second half. UWP's third quarter was the difference as they recorded 35 unanswered points to take the lead for good.
Brian Baca led ETBU completing 15-of-33 passes for 329 yards and three touchdowns. Two of the touchdowns were to
Richard Johnson (six catches, 92 yards) while the third went to
Tarek Beaugard (two receptions, 69 yards).
Jauque Kuykendall caught three passes for a team-leading 132 yards.
Jeremiah Robertson led the running game carrying the ball 20 times for 88 yards and one touchdown. Defensively, Zack Biles led the team with 13 tackles (eight solo, five assisted) and an interception while
Josiah Dykes also recorded his first career interception.
For UWP, Colin Schuetz threw 304 yards while completing 27-of-51 passes and one touchdown. Donald Allender caught eight passes for 140 yards while Tyler Knigge. Sean Studet was the top rusher with 125 yards on 16 carries and a touchdown while Bo Babich (17 carries, 106 yards) rushed for four touchdowns. Defensively, both Clayton Becker and Cleveland Redd recorded 13 tackles.
The game started off well for ETBU as Baca led a four-play drive that culminated with a 23-yard strike to Beaugard and a 7-0 lead. UWP fumbled the ensuing kickoff and ETBU recovered to keep the momentum. After stalling on that drive and giving the ball back to UWP, the Pioneers drove down field and settled for a field goal, trailing 7-3. Baca then threw a huge 72-yard pass to Kuykendall on the next drive before running in from six yards out for ETBU's second score. After an interception made by Dykes, Baca connected with Johnson for a 20-yard reception and a 20-3 lead in the first quarter. UWP then took the ball down the field for a touchdown to trail 20-13. ETBU would end the first quarter with a 13-point lead, 23-10, as Drew McKay kicked a 38-yard field goal.
After forcing a punt to start the second quarter, ETBU drove down the field again setting up a six-yard run by Robertson to lead 30-10. The next few drives ended with a punt and interceptions before the Pioneers cut the lead to 30-17 on a one-yard rush. But on following kickoff,
Dominic Haggerty returned the ball 95 yards for the score to put ETBU ahead 37-17 going into halftime. His 95-yard kickoff return tied the single game record for longest return that was set by T.J. Davis in 2006 vs. Mississippi College.
However, in the first seven minutes of the third quarter, the game changed as the Pioneers scored three touchdowns to take the lead, 38-37. ETBU would answer as Baca found Johnson for 23 yards to put ETBU back on top, 44-38. UWP would get the lead back for good as they tallied two more touchdowns in the third quarter to lead 52-44. UWP added one more score in the fourth quarter to make it 59-44.
ETBU will have a bye week this next week before returning back home on Sept. 15 hosting Southwestern at 6:00 PM.
