The University of Wisconsin-Platteville spoiled Lakeland University's football opener in quick and decisive fashion, scoring early and often in defeating the Muskies 80-13 Thursday night at John Taylor Memorial Field.

The Pioneers scored touchdowns on their first six possessions on the way to 56 first half points. Lakeland scored a pair of third quarter touchdowns on runs by Robby Michael (So.-Sheboygan, Wis.) but generated little else offensively and defensively and fell in its season debut in front of a healthy crowd at home.

UW-Platteville needed just 15 plays in the first quarter to score five touchdowns and in all scored touchdowns on eight of its first nine possessions. The Muskies, meanwhile, gained first downs on just three of their first 10 drives in falling behind big.

Lakeland found an offensive spark at the start of the third quarter, first with Michael running for 22 yards, then when he completed a long pass down the right sideline to Xaviar Thomas (Sr.-Chicago, Ill.), whose catch and run went for 52 yards, the Muskies' long play of the game. Michael then ran it in from 14 yards out on the next play to get Lakeland on the board.   

The Muskies added another score later in the quarter. Michael rushed for 38 yards on the drive, including the final 13 yards up the middle on 4th-and-8, though the extra point attempt bounced off the upright.

Michael rushed 20 times for 87 yards and also completed 13 of 32 passes for 146 yards. Thomas caught a pair of long passes, his two receptions going for 87 yards. Kolby Cohen (Jr.-Missouri City, Texas) and Caleb Besaw (So.-Conroe, Texas) also caught three passes each for 29 and 27 yards, respectively.

Justin McMahon (Jr.-Kyle, Texas) led the defense with seven tackles (six solo, one assisted). Markese Collins (So.-Phenix City, Ala.) posted his first collegiate interception and Karlis Ozols (Sr.-Fond du Lac, Wis.) finished with a sack.

UW-Platteville's Michael Priami completed 11 of 14 passes for 195 yards and four touchdowns, all in the first quarter. The Pioneers outgained Lakeland 571-237, held the ball for 35 minutes, 46 seconds and scored in all 10 of their trips inside the red zone.

Lakeland goes on the road for its next game, traveling to take on Buena Vista (Iowa) University next Saturday, Sept. 8 at 1 p.m. in Storm Lake, Iowa.