INDIANOLA, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – True freshman Robert Kelly found his stride on Saturday, completing 30 of his 49 passes for 304 yards, as Loras edged Simpson 27-24. Senior Nate Even turned in another stellar performance with 11 receptions for 169 yards. It was the defense, however, who turned in the greatest performance, picking off Braedon Tovey four times, including a pick-6 by freshman Maurice Young, that proved to be the difference in the game.

The Duhawks got on the board on their second drive of the day thanks to a 20-yard field goal by freshman Mason Quigley. On the drive, Loras went 55 yards in 12 plays before electing for three points.

After holding Simpson to a field goal on their next possession, the Duhawks mounted a 16-play 74 yard drive, taking 5:54 off the clock, but were unable to regain the lead as Quigley missed the uprights from 34 yards.

With the Storm threatening late in the first half, senior Dave Pirkle went up and snagged the Tovey pass and returned it 51 yards to the Simpson 21-yard line. Unfortunately for the Duhawks, they could not capitalize on the good field position and settled for Quigley's second field goal of the day, this time from 38 yards. As Loras would come to find out later, those three points would prove to be crucial and the difference in the ballgame.

Trailing by 10 and only 32 seconds remaining on the clock, Simpson was quick and efficient, taking 22 seconds to go 65 yards. Tovey ran it in from 11 yards out to cut the Loras lead to just three heading into the halftime break.

After receiving the kick to start the second half, Kelly orchestrated a six play, 75-yard drive capped by a 20-yard strike to Even in the end zone for six, extending the Loras lead to 10. The 10-point lead matched their gap from earlier in the game, but the Storm once again came charging back.

On their very next drive, the Storm went the distance, totaling 87 yards on seven plays with Jordan Beem running it in from eight yards out, cutting Loras' lead to three early in the fourth quarter.

After a three and out from Loras, Simpson found themselves in position to take the lead. On third and four, Tovey was picked off for the third time, but this time Young took it 53 yards into the end zone, reestablishing the Duhawks' 10-point lead at 27-17.

Staring down a 10-point deficit with 9:20 remaining in the fourth quarter, Simpson mounted what they hoped would be their comeback drive. Tovey's aerial attack was the key as the junior completed four of his six attempts to move the Storm all the way down to the Loras 24 yard line. On fourth-and-two, Tovey's pass attempt to Corbin Clark went incomplete, giving Loras the ball on downs.

Loras' next drive brought them all the way down inside the Simpson 10-yard line. On fourth-and-seven, Quigley missed his field goal attempt wide right, giving Simpson the ball at the 20 yard line with 4:49 left on the clock. The ensuing drive by the Storm would be short-lived, as Tovey was picked off for the fourth time. This time it was senior Mike Canevello snagging the pick, his second of the year.

Simpson tacked on a touchdown with 1:37 left to make it 27-24, but the ensuing onside kick was recovered by the Duhawks who utilized the victory formation to run out the clock and earn the victory.

The win moves the Duhawks to 2-5 overall and 1-3 in the Iowa Conference.