The Pioneer defense held UW-La Crosse to 285 yards. Photo by Ryan Nicholson.

Posted October 13, 2009

Two UW-Platteville linebackers earned Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference football player of the week awards.

Tom Bruins, a senior from Waupun, earned the Defensive Player of the Week Award, and Dustin Bollant, a freshman from Montfort, was the Special Teams Player of the Week.

Bruins led UW-Platteville's 26-13 upset of No. 16-ranked UW-La Crosse by making 12 tackles (9 solos), including 2.5 for losses. He also forced two fumbles and recovered another. His recovery came at the Eagle 28, leading to a field goal and a 10-0 lead. One of his forced fumbles was returned by a teammate 55 yards to the Eagles' 20 to set up a touchdown and a 24-7 halftime lead.

Bollant blocked a punt and made two special teams tackles.  His blocked punt occurred four plays into the second half with the Eagles on their own 31.  The ball rolled all the way into the end zone, where it was covered for a safety, giving the Pioneers a 26-7 lead. The Iowa-Grant graduate also made a tackle of a kickoff and on a punt coverage.

UWP's defense held the Eagles to 285 yards and 13 points, far below UW-L's averages of 444 and 39.2.

The Pioneers play at UW-Eau Claire Saturday at 1 p.m.