Fast start propels Pioneers past Falcons

The University of Wisconsin–Platteville, ranked 13th in the D3football.com poll, beat host UW–River Falls 56-19, ending the Falcons' three-game winning streak and handing them their first conference loss of the year.

The Pioneers improved to 5-1 overall and 2-1 in the Wisconsin Intercollegiate Athletic Conference, while the Falcons dropped to 3-3, 2-1.

Kyle Whitman had four short touchdown runs, including one-yard and two-run scores in the first half that helped the Pioneers race to a 28-0 lead. Tom Kelly returned from the injured list and threw a 28-yard touchdown pass to Dan Arnold on the first series of the game, and after Whitman scored twice, Kelly ran in from 12 yards out. 

UWRF scored just before the half on a blocked punt return, but the Pioneers answered with three touchdowns in the first 5:16 of the third quarter. Arnold hauled in a 75-yard scoring pass from Kelly, and Whitman again had TDs of one and two yards for a 49-6 advantage. Jason Flagg scored the final Pioneer TD on a 14-yard fourth quarter interception return. Michael Pratl made all eight PAT attempts.

The Pioneers out-gained the Falcons 467-183 and held the hosts to just one offensive TD, a nine-yard pass from Ryan Kusilek to Evan Verhota in the final quarter. Kelly completed 20 of 29 for 314 yards and two scores. Quinn Buschbacher (11 receptions for 140 yards) and Arnold (4-141) combined for 281 receiving yards.

Andrew Belken had eight tackles to lead the defense, and he, Andrew Robinson and Jared Frey each recorded quarterback sacks.

For the second straight week, the Pioneers will face a team without a WIAC loss, as they play host to fifth-ranked UW-Oshkosh (5-1, 3-0) Saturday at 2 p.m.