RIVER FALLS, Wis. – In a battle between two top ranked teams, the No. 6 University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (4-1, 1-1) suffered its first defeat of the season to No. 14 UW-River Falls (4-1, 1-1) with a 31-21 loss at Smith Stadium at Ramer Field on Saturday.

With nearly 1,000 total yards of offense between both teams, the Pioneers were able to hold the Falcons to 31 points on 631 yards of offense. The Pioneers scored 14 of their points off turnovers and stayed tall in the red zone as the Falcons were a stingy 2-of-6 from red-zone chances.  In all, UW-Platteville intercepted UW-River Falls once, forced four fumbles for three recoveries, and blocked one punt in the end zone for a touchdown.

UW-Platteville totaled 323 yards of total offense with 285 yards coming through the air. The Falcons finished with 476 passing yards and another 155 yards on the ground.

Sophomore Nathan Uselding started the game and was 10-of-19 passing for 140 yards and one touchdown against two interceptions. Sophomore Caden Casimino took over late in the third quarter and finished 14-of-22 passing for 145 yards, with one touchdown and one interception. Casimino added 26 rushing yards on five carries.

Senior Trevor Syse and junior Kristian Gavric each hauled in nine passes while Syse added a touchdown and a career-best 141 yards. Junior William Doetch added 36 yards on two catches, including the first score of the game for the Pioneers. On the ground, junior Zackary Bothun matched Casimino's 26 yards on 10 carries.

It was an uphill battle for UW-Platteville from the very start as UW-River Falls scored on an 84-yard pass on their very first play of the game.

After a quick three-and-out, the Falcons found themselves right back at the Pioneers five-yard line, but a fumble recovery by senior Riley Christensen gave the Pioneers their first takeaway of the game with 10:40 left in the first quarter.

UW-River Falls would find the end zone once again before the end of the quarter, but another fumble recovery, this time by junior Rodney Gavins Jr. gave the Pioneers the ball back at the start of the second quarter. This time, the Pioneers capitalized and a 32-yard pass from Uselding to Doetch narrowed the game 14-7 with 12:54 to go until halftime.

The defense came in clutch once again, this time with an interception by junior Andrew Bowles, but two plays later, a fumble recovered by UW-River Falls gave the ball right back to the Falcons. UW-Platteville had a big stop on third and goal and UW-River falls settled for a field goal with 6:40 left on the clock. Another interception gave the ball back to the Falcons with 1:09 left in the half and this time they went 87 yards in seven plays to extend their lead to 24-7 at halftime.

The Pioneers cut into that lead midway into the third quarter when Bowles blocked a punt which was recovered in the end zone by sophomore Drew Gallagher for a touchdown.

The Falcons were quick to reinstate their 17-point lead as Jalen Reed rushed for a 64-yard touchdown two plays later.

Trailing 31-14 going into the final quarter, Bowles forced another fumble at the 7:08 mark and a recovery by junior Elija Krantz returned possession back to the Pioneers. Working under pressure, Cassimino guided the Pioneers 80 yards in eight plays with a 19-yard pass to Syse to narrow the score 31-21 with 2:48 on the clock. The Falcons were able to run out the clock from there.

Bowles finished the day with five tackles including one for a loss of three yards, one interception, one forced fumble and one blocked punt. Junior Harrison Meyer paced the defense with 10 tackles, including nine solos. UW-Platteville finished with four pass breakups and five tackles for a loss of nine.

It was also a busy day for the officiating crew as 17 penalties equated to 204 yards between the two teams.

The gauntlet that is the WIAC continues next week as the Pioneers return home to Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium for a 1 p.m. game against an undefeated No. 4 UW-La Crosse.