DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – A beautiful Saturday afternoon set the scene for Loras' Homecoming on Saturday as Loras hosted Buena Vista. The Beavers, who entered on a two-game winning streak, powered their way past the Duhawks on the arm of Bobby Brown, who threw for 432 yards and five touchdowns. Loras rallied late, scoring two touchdowns in the final three minutes, but didn't have enough to complete the comeback, falling 48-29.
After electing to receive the opening kickoff, the Beavers marched down the field, capping a six-play 67 yard drive with a 17-yard touchdown reception by Gunner Gilland. Without missing a step, the Duhawks responded with a six-play drive of their own, going 79 yards for the score. After freshman
Robert Kelly connected with senior
Nate Even for a 29-yard grab. As he reached for the end zone, Nick Amundsen knocked the ball loose, but sophomore
Josh Schulte was there to secure the six points.
On the ensuing drive, Brown was picked off on a first-and-10 by senior
Mike Canevello, giving the Duhawks the ball at the Buena Vista 35. Facing a fourth-and-20, Kelly was intercepted by Austin Gibbs at the Buena Vista 11, bringing a quick end to Loras' drive.
The story of the first half was the precision passing by Brown, who totaled 432 yards on Saturday, finishing 30-for-48 with five touchdowns. His favorite target on the day was Gilland, who reeled in 10 receptions for 152 yards and three touchdowns.
Trailing by 15 entering the locker room, the Duhawks tried to put together a game plan for the second half that could slow down Brown and bring Loras to within striking distance. Unfortunately for the Loras faithful, Buena Vista ripped off 20 unanswered points, making it 48-16 with 5:07 left in the game.
Refusing to accept defeat, the Duhawks kept their noses to the grindstone and strung together a five-play 75-yard drive, capped by Even's second touchdown reception of the day. Kelly finished the day 19-of-44 for 272 yards and three touchdowns.
Looking to close out the game, Buena Vista sent Cody Mowery to the outside on a carry, only to have the ball stripped from his hands and recovered by sophomore
Damon Davies. The Flossmoor, Illinois native took it 70 yards to the house to make it 48-29 Buena Vista.
Game ChangerIn the first quarter, the Duhawks pulled off a "flea flicker" play and caught the Buena Vista secondary by surprise. However, after a conference by the officials, it was determined that Loras had completed two forward passes during the play and therefore the touchdown was waived off.
This nullified what could've been a game-tying sequence.
Key StatSenior
Nate Even added two more touchdown receptions to his total this season on catches of 28 and 23 yards.
Notables- Senior Mike Canevello totaled 16 tackles on Saturday and added an interception in the first quarter
- Sophomore Damon Davies was held without a sack on Saturday, marking the second consecutive game in which he was held without a sack
- Jeremy Peters averaged 39.3 yards per punt, including three that were downed inside the 20-yard line.
Up NextThe Duhawks travel to Pella, Iowa next Saturday, continuing their Iowa Conference schedule. The Dutch handed Luther their first loss of the season on Saturday, 47-7. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
