Pioneers top Spartans, go to 2-0

DUBUQUE, Iowa – The University of Wisconsin-Platteville football team etched another win into the Battle of the Bridge trophy with a 35-19 victory over the University of Dubuque Saturday night at Chalmers Field. In the teams' first meeting since 2015, the Pioneers (2-0 overall) took the lead five minutes into the game and never trailed the Spartans (0-2 overall).

Justin Blazek made his presence known across the board, leaving his mark in numerous stat categories. In addition to running in not one, but two touchdowns, Blazek recorded one tackle for loss of four yards, grabbed an interception for an 11-yard return, charted one pass breakup, a quarterback hurry and recorded three solo tackles. 

Combined, the two offenses totaled 785 yards. UW-Platteville passed for 292 yards and netted another 135 rushing for 427 yards total offense. Dubuque totaled 358 yards with 334 in the air as the Pioneers held them to just 24 net rushing yards.

Michael Priami was 30-of-34 for 292 yards, passed for three touchdowns and threw one interception. Priami added another 55 yards off six carries, including a 43-yard long haul that was called down at the Dubuque 1-yardline. 

Priami connected with Garrett Stare 13 times for 107 yards. Ryan Doherty also hit triple digits with 106 receiving yards off nine catches. All three of Priami's passing touchdowns went to Brandt Stare who finished the day with 48 yards and five receptions. 

Dubuque's K.C. Moore led the Spartans for most of the game, completing 28 of 42 attempts for 309 yards, two touchdowns and one interception. Moor hit Za'Cameron Brice seven times for 97 yards. 

Andrew Schweigert was five-for-five on PATs and tallied five touchbacks. Schweigert averaged 45 yards off two punts including one touchback.

In addition to five tackles and a quarterback hurry, Tyler Bacon led the way with three sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss of 10 yards.

Colton Ingram and Aidan Tyk each recorded had a team-high nine tackles with Tyk tallying 1.5 tackles for loss of two yards, one pass breakup and one blocked extra point attempt.

In all, the Pioneer defense tallied 11 tackles for a loss of 28 yards, six pass breakups, and four sacks for a loss of 15 yards. 

Brock Carter led the Spartans defense with a game-high 11 tackles.

The Pioneers came out swinging as they moved 56 yards in eight plays for the opening drive to end with Priami's only interception of the night being picked off at the Dubque 2-yardline. The Pioneers defense pushed the Spartans back to their own 1-yardline  and after three big stops, the punting unit was out on the field.

Starting at the Dubuque 29-yardline, Priami connected with Brandt Stare for a 7-yard and then 21-yard pass that was spotted at the 1-yardline. Blazek ran it in the very next play to put the Pioneers on the board, 7-0 with 9:42 left in the first quarter. 

After exchanging punts, the Pioneers found themselves on their own 39-yardline at the start of the second quarter where they would go 51 yards in six plays. Priami tossed a 7-yard pass to Brandt Stare who doubled the Pioneers' lead to 14-0 with 12:37 left in the half. 

Dubuque answered back the following drive with a 26-yard touchdown pass from Moore to Lovell Armstead. 

The Pioneers answered back the following drive, marching 74 yards in 12 plays. Tag Habedank rushed eight yards to the Dubuque 2-yardline and Blazek punched it in the next play to extend the lead to 21-7 with 4:13 remaining in the quarter.

Dubuque's final attempt of the half was halted by Blazek when he intercepted Moore at the UW-Platteville 20-yardline for an 11 yard return. 

UW-Platteville kicked off to open the second half, but the Spartans' drive was short-lived as back-to-back sacks by Bacon and Aidan Sproule on third and fourth downs turned the ball over to the Pioneers. 

In the next seven-play, 64 yards dirve, Priami's 43-yard carry put the Pioneers on the Spartans 1-yardline. On the next play, Priami hit Brandt Stare again to extend the lead to 28-7 with 7:34 left in the third quarter. 

In the Spartans next drive, a seven-yard Spartan carry narrowed the score to 28-13 where it would stay as Aidan Tyk blocked the extra point attempt. 

In the next six-play, 69 yard drive, Priami completed a 33-yard pass to Ryan Doherty to put the Pioneers in the red zone at the start of the fourth quarter. Once again, it was Priami finding Brandt Stare for the 12-yard touchdown pass with 14:56 left in the game. 

With 6:38 left in the game, the Spartans added another seven with a seven-yard touchdown pass to bring the score to 35-19 where it would stay until time expired. 

Saturday's victory marked the second consecutive game the Pioneers have totaled over 400 yards of total offense. 

UW-Platteville will return to action next Saturday, Sept. 16 for the Pioneers' home opener at Ralph E. Davis Pioneer Stadium. NCAA Division II Michigan Tech rolls into town for a 1 p.m. kick off. Next Saturday will also be Youth Day where youth 17 years and younger get in free. Gates open at noon and tickets can be purchased in advance at: https://letsgopioneers.com/tickets/Information.

*As with every UW-Platteville win this year, the Platteville A&W will be offering a $3 Pioneer burger the day after the win and the Platteville Taco John's will be offering 10 tacos for $10 the day after each Pioneer win.