Posted 11/10/07
UW-Platteville ended its 2007 season with a 21-7 loss at second-ranked UW-Whitewater Saturday in the 15th annual George Chryst Memorial Bowl game.
The Warhawks, winners of three straight Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference championships, will take a 9-1 overall record (7-0 WIAC) into the NCAA Division III playoffs. The Pioneers finished 2-8, 1-6.
Justin Beaver scored two touchdowns, a 23-yard run on the first possesion of the game, and a one-yard run with 8:25 remaining in the third quarter. Neil Mrkvicka caught a 24-yard scoring pass from Danny Jones with 20 seconds left in the first half, as UWW led 14-0 at the half.
The Pioneers, who turned the ball over five times on interceptions and once on a fumble, scored on junior Mike Genslinger's 14-yard run with 49 seconds remaining.
Freshman quarterback Joe Burkeland, who threw for 217 yards and ran for 62, was the Pioneer offensive player of the game, while senior linebacker Nolan Krajco, who had nine tackles, a sack and a fumble recovery, was the defensive winner.
The players of the game were honored at midfield after the contest and presented their awards by Patty Chryst, George's widow. George Chryst compiled a 79-60-2 record from 1979 until his sudden death in 1992 at age 55. Chryst guided the Pioneers to a 79-60-2 mark. He led the Pioneers to their last league title in 1980.
Beaver, who ran for 121 yards, and Tristan Borzick, who had two interceptions, earned the Warhawk honors.
The Pioneers bid good-bye to 23 seniors, but Coach Mike Emendorfer and his staff will bring back a talented group of veterans for the 2008 season, which begins Sept. 6 at Buena Vista, Iowa.
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