Box Score Creating more turnovers was one of the top items on the University of Minnesota Duluth defense's "needs improvement"  list coming into 2013 and so far the Bulldogs have done a pretty decent job in addressing that issue.

Saturday night, for example, No. 7 UMD intercepted a pair of passes and returned them both for momentum-changing touchdowns on its way to besting Upper Iowa University 39-17 in Fayette, Iowa. The win was the Bulldogs' fifth in five lifetime meetings with the Peacocks and moved UMD to 2-0 on the year.

For the second straight week, UMD hit pay dirt on the opening series of the game and never trailed the rest of the way. Redshirt freshman quarterback Drew Bauer bolted 52 yards for a touchdown on the third play from scrimmage to put UMD up 7-0 just 86 seconds in and the Bulldogs extended that lead midway through the first quarter when sophomore outside linebacker Nathan Zibolski returned his first collegiate 48 yards and into the end zone.  Junior running back Austin Sikorski, who rushed for two touchdowns in the Bulldogs' 32-7 season-opening triumph over the University of Sioux Falls one week ago, added a 15-yard scoring run later in the first quarter before Bauer hooked up with senior tight end Jeremy Reierson from eight yards out for a another six points. Bauer wound up completing 15 of 23 passes for 128 yards in his second collegiate start. Upper Iowa cut the deficit to 28-13 on two Lucas Hefty touchdown receptions -- a  nine-yarder 15 seconds before halftime and a 56-yarder on the first series of the second half, but junior nose tackle Buma Foncham all but iced the UMD win with 11:03 to go in the third by tipping a pass, hauling it in, and then going 60 yards for a touchdown. That marked just the second time since 1988 the Bulldogs registered two pick sixes in the same game.

UMD, which also recovered a fumble (by Zibolski) in the victory, now has forced six turnovers this season.

Upper Iowa (1-1) did hold a 453-407 advantage in total yards and a 24-18 edge in first downs on the night, but managed just 93 yards on the ground compared to 263 for the Bulldogs (including 86 yards on 11 carrries by Sikorski). Senior cornerback Kenny Chowa was credited with a game-high and personal best 13 total tackles, including 11 solos, while senior strong safety Travis Nordhus was in on nine stops.

The Bulldogs will return to James S. Malosky Stadium next Saturday to host defending NSIC champion and No. 2 ranked Minnesota State University-Mankato in their annual Hall of Fame Game. Opening kickoff for that showdown is set for 6:05 p.m.

NOTES: Curt Wiese became the first of six full-time head coaches UMD has employed in its 81-year football history to start out his career at 2-0 ... The Bulldogs have now picked off at least one pass in eight straight games going back to last year ... Sophomore Andrew Brees, a 2012 All-NSIC North Division first team placekicker, received his first punting activity as a Bulldog Saturday night. He punted three times for a 35.0 yard average and ran for 42 yards and third-quarter first down out of punt formation ... Foncham now has two interceptions to his collegiate credit with the other pick coming last year. Not bad for a nose tackle ... Junior wide outs Zach Zweifel and Aaron Roth both finished with a team-best six catches Saturday.