DUBUQUE, Iowa – The ninth-ranked University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team was propelled by 21-3 second-quarter to beat the University of Dubuque, 38-24, on Saturday night at Chalmers Field.
The Pioneers improve to 2-0 for the fourth straight season and the Spartans fell to 1-1.
After trailing 7-0 going into the second-quarter, UW-Platteville offense finally got into rhythm and scored on three consecutive drives. Senior John Kelly tied the game up with a two-yard rushing touchdown. An interception by sophomore Devon Vance put the Pioneers on UD's 45-yardline. Two plays later, Kelly connected with Trevor Whitehead on a 49-yard touchdown pass giving UW-Platteville a 14-7 lead. The Pioneer offense kept rolling and used a 11 play 81-yard drive to put UW-Platteville up by two scores, 21-7. The Spartans managed to tack on a field goal right before halftime cutting their deficit to 21-10. In the second-quarter the Pioneers were a perfect 3-for-3 on third down conversions and out gained UD 196 to 73 yards.
In the third-quarter, the Pioneer offense had the ball for 10:37 and racked up 12 first downs taking a 31-17 lead in the fourth-quarter. The Spartans couldn't get past the two-touchdown margin as the Pioneers went on to win 38-24.
Kelly completed 24-35 passes for 294 yards with three touchdowns and an interception. The three-headed monster of Whitehead and seniors Ryley Bailey and Paul Reit caught a combined 22 passes. Whitehead recorded a game-high nine receptions for 137 yards with two touchdowns. Bailey hauled in seven passes for 69 yards, while Reit caught six passes for 64 yards and a touchdown. Senior Lee Vlasak led all rushers with 15 carries for 100 yards and a touchdown.
The Pioneer defense was led by senior defensive back Kevin Ybarra, who recorded 11 total tackles and two pass break-ups, while sophomore defensive end Andrew Robinson registered six total tackles, two sacks and a hit on the quarterback.
The Pioneers will play their final non-conference game on Sept. 21 when they travel to Portland Ore. to face off with Lewis & Clark at 3:30 p.m. central time.
