DUBUQUE, Iowa – The No. 11 University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team (2-0) earned its second straight victory, defeating the University of Dubuque (0-2), 56-27 Saturday night at Chalmers Field in the Battle of the Bridge. 

The Pioneers red-hot offense totaled 574 yards of offense, largely attributed to its passing attack. Sophomore Nathan Uselding finished the day 33-of-43 passing with 428 yards and four touchdowns while also running in another and adding six yards on the ground off three carries. 

Among the receiving corps was junior Jaxson Garbisch who had a career-day three touchdowns with 143 yards on 11 receptions. Senior Garrett Stare totaled 92 yards on six catches and senior Trevor Syse finished with 80 yards on five receptions, including the fourth passing touchdown from Uselding.  Junior Carter Olson added 63 yards on six receptions in addition to totaling 85 yards during five returns on special teams. 

For his second straight game, junior Zackary Bothun ran in three touchdowns, netting 61 yards on 13 carries to lead the ground game. 

Freshman Brady Mobley was a perfect 8-of-8 on PATs and junior Benjamin Younker finished with 66 yards on two punts, including one inside the 20. 

On defense, UW-Platteville managed two interceptions returned for 37 yards, four tackles for a loss of 18 yards, two sacks, two forced fumbles and eight quarterback hurries. Sophomores Harrison Meyer and Rodney Gavins Jr. each totaled five tackles while both intercepted Dubuque's Joey Rhomberg. 

The Pioneers allowed 346 yards of total offense from the Spartans, with all but one yard coming through the air. 

For the second time this season, UW-Platteville wasted no time building up a comfortable lead. On the first drive of the night as the Pioneers went 52 yards on six plays, Uselding was a perfect 3-of-3 and Bothun added three carries including a final one-yard gain and touchdown at the 10:52 mark. 

The Pioneers forced a three-and-out and Uselding completed all five of his passes in the next drive, including a 14-yard touchdown pass to Garbisch.

Dubuque found their way to the endzone next with an 80-yard, seven play drive, but the Pioneers reinstated their two-touchdown lead on the next series when Bothun rushed for his second touchdown of the night, with 12:18 to go in the second quarter. 

Now trailing 21-7, the Spartan offense was only on the field for three plays before being forced to punt again. The Pioneers took off on a 61-yard, eight play drive which finished with Uselding running 11 yards for a touchdown, giving UW-Platteville a 28-7 lead with 7:45 to go in the first half. 

The Spartans scored their second touchdown of the night with 5:10 to go in the half, but four plays later, Uselding hit Garbisch 35-yards down field for the duo's second touchdown of the night.

A 38-yard completion down field put Dubuque in scoring range again and the Spartans made it a 35-21 game with 1:11 left in the half. The Pioneers had a chance to add three more points to the board right before the break, but the 26-yard attempt by Younker went wide and the Pioneers led 35-21 at intermission. 

When UW-Platteville returned from the half, the offense picked up right where they left off, marching 67 yards down field on 11 plays, and Uselding connected with Garbisch once again on the left edge of the endzone. 

Holding a 42-21 lead just five minutes into the half, a forced fumble and recovery by sophomore Carter Contreras on the kickoff return gave the ball right back to UW-Platteville at the Spartan 23-yard line. Two snaps later, Uselding found Syse down field for the touchdown and with 9:21 to go in the third quarter, Dubuque trailed 49-21. 

Myer picked off Rhomberg's very first pass of the next drive, but possession was quickly returned to Dubuque when Uselding was intercepted at the Dubuque seven-yard line. 

The Pioneers would score once more with 5:54 to go in the third quarter and this time, Bothun's 11-yard gain and touchdown gave UW-Platteville the 56-21 lead. 

Overall, UW-Platteville was 10-of-14 on third down conversions while the Spartans finished 3-of-14. The Pioneers scored on six of eight chances from in the red-zone. 

UW-Platteville will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 20 when they take on Springfield College in their home opener at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for noon with the seniors being recognized before the game for Senior Day.