RIVER FALLS - The No. 5-ranked UW-River Falls football team opened WIAC play with a 27-16 win over UW-Platteville during UWRF Homecoming Saturday afternoon.
In front of nearly 4,000 fans at Smith Stadium, UWRF improved to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in the WIAC.
While both teams were held to under 100 yards rushing, the Falcons and Pioneers both passed for over 350 yards. UWRF led in total offense, 489-385. The Falcon defense held UWP to just 25 rushing yards.
UWRF quarterback Kaleb Blaha rushed a season-high 32 times for 88 yards while tying a career-high with four touchdown passes, two each to Jake Hilton and Mason Van Zeeland.
After a scoreless first quarter, the Pioneers opened the second early in the second frame with a 44-yard field goal.
On the ensuing drive, UWRF answered with a 14-yard touchdown pass from Blaha to Van Zeeland. The Falcons scored again on their next offensive drive, a 10-yard pass from Blaha to Hilton, giving UWRF a 14-3 halftime lead.
UWRF extended its lead to 21-3 with a 44-yard connection from Blaha to Van Zeeland to open the second-half scoring before the Pioneers began their comeback attempt.
UWP outscored the Falcons 13-7 in the second quarter to trim the UWRF lead to 21-16 heading into the final 15 minutes.
Another Blaha to Hilton connection gave UWRF a 27-16 lead in the fourth quarter, followed by a clutch interception by defensive back Michael Brown on the next Pioneer drive took away any comeback hopes for the visitors, as the Falcons held UWP scoreless for the remainder of the game.
Blaha finished with 465 yards of total offense, completing 26 of 39 passes. Ron Beauchamp led the receiving core with a career-high 122 receiving yards off five catches.  
Defensively, Cade Schmidt led the Falcons with a career-high nine tackles.
The Falcons (4-0, 1-0 WIAC) head to UW-Eau Claire next Saturday, Oct. 7.