PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (6-2, 3-2 WIAC) put together another strong effort on the ground and held off UW-Oshkosh (4-4, 2-3 WIAC) late in a 21-14 home win on Saturday afternoon inside Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

The Pioneers surpassed 200 yards on the ground for the third time this season and scored all three touchdowns on the ground in the win. Freshman Blake Bangston led the way with a career-high 121 yards on 23 carries, while sophomore Trevor Burnett turned 18 attempts into a season-high 82 yards and two touchdowns. Quarterback Nathan Uselding joined in with 29 yards and his fifth rushing score of the season.

The rushing success offset a quiet day from the passing game, as Uselding completed 11-of-26 passes for 170 yards. Uselding was still able to find his receivers for big gains, as senior Trevor Syse, junior Kristian Gavric, and sophomore Shane Crandall each recorded 20-plus yard receptions. Syse led the group with 56 yards on three receptions, followed by 42 yards from Crandall and 30 from Gavric.

Outside of the occasional big play, the Pioneers defense limited UW-Oshkosh for much of the contest. The Titans averaged just 2.7 yards per carry and turned 33 pass attempts into 220 yards, with 69 of those yards coming on a long touchdown in the second quarter.

Senior Riley Christensen paced UW-Platteville with seven tackles, and senior Logan Drone came away with a pair of tackles for loss. Drone and junior Elijah Krantz each recorded a sack, while junior Harrison Meyer produced the lone takeaway of the game with an interception in the third quarter.

After forcing UW-Oshkosh to punt on the opening possession, the Pioneers drove 70 yards on 12 plays but failed to come away with points after a missed field goal attempt from 28 yards. The Titans punted the ball away again, and UW-Platteville put together another strong drive, but this time turned the ball over on downs from the UW-Oshkosh six-yard line following an incomplete pass.

UW-Platteville would break through finally on its third possession, after a 25-yard pass to Crandall set up a first and goal from the one. Uselding powered the ball into the end zone for a one-yard score to put the Pioneers ahead.

The Titans answered on the ensuing possession after a double move on a third and three pass resulted in a 69-yard touchdown pass. The Pioneers regained the lead quickly, turning an eight-play, 65-yard drive into a one-yard touchdown run by Burnett.

Coming out of halftime, both teams punted on their first possessions. The Pioneers moved the ball into the red zone on their second drive of the half, but a second missed field goal kept the score the same. UW-Oshkosh turned the ball over three plays later after a deep pass attempt was taken away by Meyer for an interception.

The Pioneers went back to the ground game, running five straight times to sit at the Titans 31-yard line. Uselding ripped a 30-yard pass to Gavric down to the one, and Burnett plunged into the end zone to put UW-Platteville up 21-7.

UW-Oshkosh cut the deficit down to seven with a 10-play, 89-yard scoring drive that was capped off with a diving 2-yard touchdown catch. UW-Platteville punted to ball back to the Titans, who looked to tie the game, but a holding call and a fumble pushed them back to 3rd and 29. After an incomplete pass, UW-Oshkosh punted the ball away with just 1:45 remaining.

Burnett helped the Pioneers run the clock out, picking up 18 yards on four carries. Uselding kneeled on the final play as UW-Platteville hung on to win by seven.

UW-Platteville dominated time of possession, holding the ball for 35:39 compared to 24:21 for UW-Oshkosh. Neither team was great on third down, as the Titans went 5-of-14 and the Pioneers finished 4-of-12. Red zone success kept the game close, as UW-Oshkosh was 1-for-1, but UW-Platteville went just 3-of-6.

Junior Benjamin Younker punted four times, totaling 133 yards, including a long of 45 yards. He placed two of his tries inside the 20-yard line. Kicker Brady Mobley was a perfect 3-of-3 on extra point attempts, but he missed both of his field goal tries.

For UW-Oshkosh, quarterback Quentin Keene finished 12-of-19 passing for 142 yards with a touchdown and an interception. AJ Korth played most of the fourth quarter as quarterback, going 8-of-14 for 78 yards and a score. Korth was also the Titans leading rusher with 31 yards on eight carries. Hunter Gibson and Keyvon Holloway scored the team's two touchdowns.

The Pioneers will play their final regular season home game next Saturday against No. 23 UW-Stout. Game time is set for 2 p.m. from Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.
 
*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a free ice cream cone (with purchase) the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering a free churro (with purchase) the day after each Pioneer win.