Posted November 11, 2008

Two UW-Platteville football players earned Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference Player of the Week honors for their performances in the Pioneers' 28-0 win over UW-Oshkosh Saturday, Nov. 8.

Tim Stephenson earned the defensive honors, while George Katze was the special teams honoree.

Stephenson, a senior defensive lineman from Lankark, Ill. (Eastland High School), recorded 3.5 sacks resulting in 41 yards of lost yardage, helping UW-Platteville record its second straight shutout. He finished the game with four total tackles and spearheaded a defense that yielded 140 total yards. The Titans penetrated the red zone just once, with a 65-yard punt return that brought the ball to the 6-yardline, but Stephenson's 11-yard sack on fourth down helped the Pioneers record back-to-back shutouts for the first time since 1972. UW-Platteville blanked league opponents in consecutive weeks for the first time since 1950.

Katze, a junior defensive back from Friesland (Cambria-Friesland), made three special teams tackles, including a touchdown-saving stop on a punt return, in UW-Platteville's win over UW-Oshkosh. He was also credited with the key block that sprung kick returner Terry Belville on a 38-yard return to open the second half. The return, to the Pioneer 48-yardline, set up UW-Platteville for a 52-yard touchdown drive and a 14-0 lead.

The 4-5 Pioneers close their season Saturday by playing host to 8-1 UW-Whitewater at 1 p.m.