DECORAH, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football would keep the Luther Norse offense out of the scoring column on Saturday, but the Luther defense would collect a safety for their only points on the afternoon in a 28-2 Spartan victory in their American Rivers Conference opener.

UD's Colton Pedersen would pick off the Luther quarterback in the first quarter at the Spartan one yard line. UD's possession was third down at the 11 yard line with 11 yards to go, Luther's defense would sack Spartans quarterback Jacob Keller on the endzone for a safety. UD's defense would not give up another point the final three quarters. UD would score once in the second quarter on a Kallion Buckner 12 yard run to complete a nine play, 69 yard scoring drive.

Buckner early early in the second half scored at 14:45 of the third quarter on a 64 yard run capping off a one play drive for the Spartans. Elliott Pipkin caught a two yard pass with 3:55 left in the third quarter to finish a 13 play, 83 yard drive to give the Spartans a 21-2 lead. Keller would cap off a five play 56 yard drive with an eight yard touchdown run with 10:01 left in the game for the final score 28-2.

UD finished the day with 23 first downs, 312 yards rushing, and 111 yards passing. Keller completed 13-18 pass attempts for 111 yards. Buckner led the offense with 17 rushes for 205 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Pipkin caught six passes for 53 yards.

Six Spartans finished with six tackles each: Colton Pedersen, Joxua Baughman, Dalton Wood, Brogen Stewart, and Gino Romano. UD compiled eight tackles for losses in the win. Pedersen and Tyler Geiman each had an interception with Geiman returning his for 44 yards. Conner Halla punted three times for 122 yards. Tyler Sheffield had five kickoffs for 294 yards (58.8 average) and Jacob Wolf was perfect in extra points 4-4.

The Spartans will be off next week for their bye week in the A-R-C. UD returns home to host the Buena Vista University Beavers on Oct. 2 at 1 p.m. on Chalmers Field.