MARSHALL, Texas – Headed north to open the 2019 season in cooler weather, the East Texas Baptist University football team will face the University of Wisconsin-Platteville on Saturday. ETBU is facing UWP for only the second time in program history. Kickoff is at 1:00 p.m. with the temperature set at 71 degrees.

ETBU vs. Wisconsin Teams
Overall, ETBU is 1-2 against Wisconsin programs. ETBU last played in Wisconsin in 2010 against Wisconsin-La Crosse winning, 33-20. The first time ETBU faced La Crosse came in 2009 when they lost, 28-13. Last year, ETBU fell to Platteville, 59-44, in Marshall.

LAST MEETING
UWP 59, ETBU 44
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 Team
ETBU went 6-4 last year and tied for 3rd place in the ASC at 6-3. It was their 4th straight winning season which continues to be a record for the program. It was also Brian Mayper's first season as head coach as he was hired last February.
 
Returning Starters
Offense
Brian Baca - QB - All-ASC 1st team (senior) - 2,783 Passing Yards, 28 Passing TDS, 155.8 Passing Eff., 8 Rushing TDS, 428 Rushing Yards, 54 Points
Kaylon Bruno - OL (junior)
Jonathan Kalafatis – OL (junior)
Jeremiah Robertson  - RB (senior) - All-ASC 2nd team - 594 rushing yards, 9 TDs, 5.8 YPC
Drew MacKay - K (junior) - 51 Points, 36-44 XT PTS, 5-9 FGS
Justin Ward – RB (junior)
Defense
Drew Brewster - DL (junior) - 24 tackles Josiah Dykes - LB (junior) - 67 tackles, 1 INT
Sirbatian Charles - DB (senior) - 12 tackles, 5 PD, 5 BRK
Grant LaPointe-Teat - DB (senior) - 26 tackles, 1 INT, 8 PD, 7 BRK
Anton Clark - LB (senior) - 45 tackles, 5 PD, 5 BRK Aaron Buckley - DB (junior) - 14 tackles, 3 INT, 9 PD, 6 BRK
Malik Mason  - DB (senior) - 27 tackles, 2 INT, 2 PD
 
Season Openers
ETBU is 6-13 in season openers and are 5-6 on the road when opening the season. Taking on northern teams, ETBU is 1-4 when traveling up north for season openers.
 
2018 – UWP 59, ETBU 44
2017 – ETBU 59, SW Assemblies of God 17
2016 – ETBU 44, Texas Lutheran 20
2015 – McMurry 49, ETBU 22
2014 – Texas A&M-Commerce 98, ETBU 20
2013 – ETBU 52, Austin College 34
2012 - #3 Wesley 34, ETBU 14
2011 - #3 Wesley 34, ETBU 10
2010 – ETBU 33, UW-La Crosse 20
2009 – UW-La Crosse 28, ETBU 13
2008 - #5 St. Johns 29, ETBU 15
2007 – Trinity 23, ETBU 0
2006 – Trinity 41, ETBU 0
2005 – Southern Arkansas 51, ETBU 7
2004 - #24 Southern Arkansas 38, ETBU 21
2003 – SE Oklahoma State 35, ETBU 14
2002 – SE Oklahoma State 34, ETBU 20
2001 – ETBU 49, SW Assemblies of God 7
2000 – ETBU 42, SW Assemblies of God 6