The UW-Platteville Pioneers celebrate in reclaiming the Miner’s Axe Saturday in their 17-10 defeat of UW-Whitewater at Ralph E. Davis Stadium in Platteville in 2024.
Courtesy of UW-Plattevile sports information department
George Chryst, wearing hat, played and coached at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before leading the UW-Platteville Pioneers for 14 seasons. UW-Whitewater and UW-Platteville play in the George Chryst Memorial Bowl at Whitewater Saturday. The teams also play for the Miner’s Axe.The Pioneers won 17-10 in 2024.
Courtesy of UW-Platteville sports information department
The UW-Platteville Pioneers celebrate in reclaiming the Miner’s Axe Saturday in their 17-10 defeat of UW-Whitewater at Ralph E. Davis Stadium in Platteville in 2024.
Courtesy of UW-Plattevile sports information department
WHiTEWATER — A top 10 clash between No. 8 UW-Platteville and No. 9 UW-Whitewater will ensue at Perkins Stadium Saturday, Oct. 25, at 1 p.m. It will be the 32nd George Chryst Memorial Bowl.
Both the Warhawks and Miners have 5-1 overall records and 2-1 records in the WIAC. Conference positioning and the coveted Miner’s Axe will be at stake Saturday, but head coach Jace Rindahl is focused on getting a win, not the hype.
“It’s another game in the league and Platteville happens to be one of the best teams in the league. So it’s going to take another really good effort for four quarters to come out on top,†Rindahl said.
George Chryst, wearing hat, played and coached at the University of Wisconsin-Madison before leading the UW-Platteville Pioneers for 14 seasons. UW-Whitewater and UW-Platteville play in the George Chryst Memorial Bowl at Whitewater Saturday. The teams also play for the Miner’s Axe.The Pioneers won 17-10 in 2024.
Courtesy of UW-Platteville sports information department
Last season, Platteville claimed a 17-10 victory. The all-time series favors the Warhawks, who have 85 wins to 27 losses; the game results in a tie four times.
WIAC Games
After surrendering a 17-0 halftime lead to UW-La Crosse at Perkins Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 4, the Warhawks bounced back with a 45-14 road win at UW-Stevens Point and more recently secured a 34-2 home win over then No. 20 UW-Stout.
The Pioneers’ lone loss came against No. 10 UW-River Falls, 31-21. They’ve secured wins against the Eagles, 38-21, and Stevens Point, 52-0.
Team Stats
Platteville is averaging 39.3 points per game, which is second in the league. Whitewater sits in third with 34.5 ppg. As a defense, the Warhawks give up an average of 9.8 ppg; the Pioneers allow 15.2 ppg.
“Our defense has been pretty good,†Rindahl said. “There’s a lot of room to keep growing. I think this week will tell us a lot because we’re being presented with a huge challenge by their offense. They can run the ball as well as throw it, so we’re looking forward to that challenge.â€
The Pioneers’ offense averages 289.2 passing yards per game (second) with a completion percentage of 73 (first). The Warhawks’ defense allows the least passing yards per game with 154. 7 and is tied for first in interceptions with 11.
On the ground, the Warhawks average 230 yards per game (second) and give up 63.2 ypg (first). The Pioneers average 170.5 ypg (third) and allow 97 ypg (third).
George Chryst, from the sidelines, as UW-Platteville head football coach.
Courtesy of UW-Platteville sports information department
Rindahl’s keys to the game
“We have to make sure we protect the football and we have to execute,†Rindahl said. “The last few games we’ve had some really poor decisions and just made some critical mistakes.â€
