DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – Missed opportunities doomed the Duhawks on Saturday as they were unable to capitalize on short possessions by the Dubuque offense before falling 34-7 in the Rock Bowl.

After punts by both the Spartans and the Duhawks to open the game, the Spartan offense hit their stride using senior wide out Tyler Rutenbeck. On their second drive, quarterback Zach Fry was able to find Chris Bagley in the end zone for an eight yard touchdown strike to put the Spartans ahead 7-0.

Late in the first quarter however the tides turned in favor of the Duhawks as a Jeremy Peters punt was muffed by the Spartans and recovered by sophomore Bryan Hermann at the Spartan 31 yard line. The Duhawks were looking for a quick score after a 15 yard reception by senior Nate Even, but freshman quarterback Robert Kelly's pass was intercepted by Blaine Snitker of Dubuque at the one yard line, ending the drive prematurely.

Snitker's interception pushed the momentum in favor of the Spartans as they would use three first down conversions from Tyler Rutenbeck, and a multitude of penalties to drive 99 yards. This drive was capped by a 25 yard touchdown reception by Devin Best on the first play to start the second quarter.

After Dubuque's kickoff sailed out of bounds, the Duhawks were set to take over at the 35 yard line. Using three pass plays to Nate Even of seven, 25, and 22 yards, senior Calvin Smith was able to smash through the wall of defenders at the goal line for a one yard touchdown strike making it 14-7.

The Loras defense was able to hold the Dubuque offense to two punts and a turnover on downs to end the half, while the Spartans' defense forced two punts by Peters and an interception by Kelly. With the defenses standing tall, the Duhawks trailed 14-7 at halftime.

In the second half, Loras started off strong as Kelly found freshman Kevin Drwal for a 23 yard reception on the opening play from scrimmage. With momentum shifting in favor of the Duhawks following the long pass, Kelly handed the ball off to Smith. As Smith ran the ball up the middle, a Spartan defender was able to knock the ball free to force the fumble. The Spartans were able to beat a flock of Duhawks to the ball, resulting in a turnover for Loras.

Despite the turnover, the Loras defense stood tall stopping Dubuque at the 5 yard line, keeping the Spartans out of the endzone. After Curtis Prull notched his first of two field goals on the day, a 22 yarder, the Duhawks trailed by ten, 17-7.

Loras would then go on another strong drive led by a nifty run by junior Nate Carrier. As Kelly handed the ball to Carrier, it seemed as though he was all but stopped before a slick spin around a defender allowed him to break free for a nine yard run. Once again, the Duhawks drive would end prematurely. Looking to cut the deficit to single digits, Kelly's pass down field was picked off by the Spartans.

With the interception returned to the Loras two yard line, Spartan running back Alec Arvanitakis punched the ball across the goal line for the score. After a successful point after, Dubuque held a 24-7 advantage.

The Duhawks would gain some late game momentum in the third quarter as a series of holding penalties set the Spartans back to first and 30 on their own 45 yard line. The last of the penalties negated a 55 yard touchdown by Arvanitakis and set the Duhawks defense up for a big play. With the Spartans facing first and thirty, the Dubuque quarterback forced a deep pass. Fortunately for the Duhawks senior Dave Pirkle read the pass early, giving him enough time to slip under on the route and pick off the pass.

Unfortunately, the Duhawks were unable to capitalize on the Spartan turnover as they then went four and out. On the change of possession, Fry connected with Bagley on a 28 yard reception to set up DaiVon Vance-Jenkins for a two yard touchdown run to open the fourth quarter.

Loras continued to fight, attempting to stage a late comeback in the final quarter. Kelly found Even for three straight receptions for seven, 20, and 41 yards before the Duhawks failed to convert on third and long.

In the closing minutes, a 64 yard run by Vance-Jenkins opened up the Spartans ensuing drive. From there the Duhawks held their ground, holding Dubuque to a late field goal as the game ended 34-7.

Game Changer
On the opening drive of the second half, Calvin Smith fumbled the ball which led to a field goal from Spartans kicker, Curtis Prull.

Key Stat
Senior Nate Even hauled in 11 receptions for 232 yards in this game, his second highest receiving total of the season. He is now just 44 yards away from Kendall Griffin's all-time single season record which was set in 1992.

Notables

• Senior Nate Even accounted for 73.6% of the teams receiving yards for the game with 232 yards out of the possible 315.
• Freshman Maurice Young led the Duhawks in total tackles with 13 on the day, the most tackles he's had in a game all season.
• Freshman Keshaun Smith led the Duhawks in tackles for a loss with two, his first two of the season.
• In the second quarter, Duhawk punter Jeremy Peters pinned the Spartans on their own 1 yard line for one of this 2 punts down inside of the 20 on the day.

Up Next
Loras will finish the home portion of their schedule next Saturday when they welcome the Luther College Norse to the Rock Bowl. The Norse fell, 35-14 to Coe College on Saturday to fall to 1-4 in the Iowa Conference and 4-4 on the season.