UW-Platteville Football Continues to Earn Recognition

The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team defeated UW-Eau Claire, 49-19, last week. In the win, two Pioneers - Ryley Bailey, a junior wide receiver from Elburn, Illinois and Ryan McWethy, a senior safety from Oregon, Illinois - played a key role in the win. The efforts by Bailey and McWethy earned them WIAC Offensive and Defensive Player of the Week honors, respectively.

In the contest, Bailey caught 11 passes for 191 yards and two touchdowns in the win. Both the 11 receptions and 191 yards were a career best for Bailey and marked the second time in 2012 that he has caught two touchdown passes in a game.  The 11 receptions and 191 yards are the most by a Pioneer since a 16-catch, 195-yard effort by Darin Blaser on Sept. 11, 2010 against University of Dubuque (Iowa). Bailey also earned recognition from D3football.com as he was named to the Scoutware Team of the Week and his second touchdown reception was one of 10 plays recognized in the Plays of the Week.

With the offensive explosion, it was the strong play of the Pioneer defense that may have got overlooked. A key factor in the contest was the play of senior strong safety, Ryan McWethy. He made 18 tackles and had an interception in the 49-19 win by No. 16 UW-Platteville over UW-Eau Claire in a non-conference game.  The 18 tackles match the most by Pioneer since a similar effort by Ryan Glynn at UW-La Crosse on October 23, 2004. His interception of Austin Neu ended a drive by the Blugolds as the Pioneers held a brief 14-0 lead late in the first quarter. It was his second interception of the season.

Bailey and McWethy will lead a UW-Platteville football team on Saturday that has moved up to No. 13 in the latest D3football.com rankings and No. 12 by the American Football Coaches Association to face a team that is No. 4 by D3football.com and No. 5 by the AFCA, UW-Whitewater at 1 p.m. in the annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl game at Pioneer Stadium.