PLATTEVILLE, Wis. – The No. 12 University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (7-2, 4-2 WIAC) hung on to win 24-23 after a UW-Stout (5-4, 3-3 WIAC) last second field goal try missed wide left on a rainy Saturday afternoon inside Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium.

The Blue Devils nearly pulled off a two-score comeback in the fourth quarter, but the game-winning field goal attempt as time ran out missed. UW-Stout had orchestrated a pair of scoring drives earlier in the quarter to erase a 24-10 deficit on a pair of touchdown runs by quarterback Adam Moen but still trailed by one after failing to convert a two-point try. After recovering the ensuing onside kick, the Blue Devils got into field goal range following a 17-yard completion, but the missed field goal gave UW-Platteville the one-point win.

The Pioneers found success offensively via the ground game again, with junior Zackary Bothun returning to the lineup after a three-game absence. Bothun led the team with 84 yards on 14 carries and added a second quarter touchdown run while freshman Blake Bangston toted the ball nine times for 41 yards. Sophomore Trevor Burnett punched in a short rushing touchdown for UW-Platteville's second rushing score of the contest.

Through the air, quarterback Nathan Uselding completed 16-of-25 passes for 141 yards and a touchdown while throwing one interception. Most of those yards went to senior Trevor Syse, who made several impressive catches to produce 97 yards on seven receptions. Junior Kristian Gavric was second on the team with 20 yards, while junior tight end Brady Tosterud hauled in the Pioneers lone passing touchdown from three yards out.

Defensively, junior linebacker Elijah Krantz finished with a team-high 11 tackles. Junior Ethan Bode added eight tackles, while sophomore Rob Francis and senior Logan Drone each tallied seven stops. Drone and junior Cormac Sammons split UW-Platteville's only sack in the game and the secondary broke up six passes with two each from Francis and junior Harrison Meyer. Sophomore Carter Contreras forced the Pioneers lone takeaway of the contest with an interception in the second quarter.

UW-Platteville scored on the opening drive of the game via a 27-yard field goal by freshman Brady Mobley. Bangston and Uselding moved the ball down the field on the ground with the big play of the possession coming on a 30-yard strike to Syse.

The Blue Devils answered with a field goal on their first drive after going 70 yards on 15 plays. UW-Platteville's defense held strong after UW-Stout got inside the 10-yard line and forced an incomplete pass and two short gains to force the 22-yard field goal.

The Pioneers marched down the field to regain the lead early in the second quarter on Bothun's 18-yard touchdown run, his 10th rushing score of the season. Uselding found Syse again for a 24-yard pass on the play preceding the touchdown before Bothun bounced off a couple tacklers and raced up the middle for his score.

Both teams punted on their next possessions until a Moen pass was picked off by Contreras midway through the second quarter. The Pioneers took advantage of the opportunity and increased the lead on a one-yard touchdown run by Burnett. Bangston set up the score with a 16-yard run where he bounced the carry outside and raced to the pylon but finished just shy of the end zone.

The score would remain 17-3 in favor of the Pioneers entering the third quarter. UW-Stout drove inside UW-Platteville's 30-yard line on the opening possession of the half but turned the ball over on downs after back-to-back incomplete passes. The Blue Devils forced a quick three-and-out and cut the deficit to one score after scoring on a 16-play, 74-yard scoring drive.

The Pioneers answered with a touchdown drive of their own which resulted in a three-yard touchdown pass to Tosterud. A 20-yard pass to Syse and 22-yard rush by Bothun highlighted the big plays on the drive.

UW-Platteville forced a quick punt, but Uselding was intercepted on the following drive to set up the Blue Devils with good field position. UW-Stout took advantage with a touchdown drive to cut the deficit to seven on a six-yard run by Moen. The Pioneers punted the ball back after a three-and-out and the Blue Devils scored again in the final minute to make it 24-23. Moen's two-point passing try was ruled incomplete with Bode providing tight coverage on the play.

Trailing by one, UW-Stout tried an onside kick and came away with the football in the wet conditions. With 41 seconds remaining, the Blue Devils picked up several short gains until Moen completed a 17-yard pass to set up the field goal try. But the attempt went wide to the right to seal the Pioneers victory.

The Blue Devils outgained UW-Platteville 378-289 in the game while totaling 25 first downs compared to 15 for the Pioneers. For UW-Stout, quarterback Adam Moen finished 22-of-42 for 235 yards and an interception. He rushed for 82 yards and three touchdowns on the ground. Wide receiver Davonte Evans paced the team in receiving with 107 yards on nine receptions.

The Pioneers conclude the regular season at UW-Eau Claire next Saturday. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m.

*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.