Pioneers top Spartans, go to 2-0

UW-Platteville beat the University of Dubuque 28-20 Saturday night, improving to 2-0 for the first time since the 2004 season.

Patrick O'Brien scored on two short touchdown runs, Brandon Hertrampf scored once, and Nick Anderson threw to Aunton Terry for another, pacing the Pioneers. Quincy Hudson had two interceptions, one in the end zone and one near midfield to snuff out the Spartans' last chance.

The Pioneers took a 14-0 halftime lead on a one-yard O'Brien plunge, his first collegiate touchdown, and on Anderson's first college scoring pass, 18 yards to a leaping Terry. The first score capped off a 50-yard first quarter drive, and the second a 72-yard, 13-play second-quarter march.

The Spartans opened the third-quarter by converting a Pioneer fumble into seven points. Michael Zwiefel, the all-American who transferred from UW-River Falls to play for his dad, Stan, the new UD coach, caught a six-yard scoring pass from Colton Hansen.

UWP responded with a methodical 95-yard drive that took 15 plays and 8:14. O'Brien's second one-yard run made it 21-7. On the Spartans' next play, Jon Ebert recovered a fumble, and Hertampf capped the 23-yard drive with a two-yard TD run for a 28-7 lead

The Spartans scored twice more, including a second Hansen to Zweifel connection, but the Pioneers ate up the clock with a 6:14 drive that ended on Dubuque's 14 with 43 seconds remaining. Hudson's second pick secured the win for Coach Mike Emendorfer's team.

The Pioneers out-gained the Spartans 353-243 and held the ball for more than 38 minutes.

Anderson rushed for 94 yards and completed 11 of 14 for 125 yards, while Hertrampf ran for 84 yards. For the second straight game, Tom Bruins was the top tackler, making five solo and four assisted stops.

Zweifel led the Spartans with 14 catches for 142 yards.

The 2-0 Pioneers play at Augustana next Saturday at 6 p.m.