STORM LAKE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – For the first time since the 2010 season, the Loras football team defeated Buena Vista on Saturday, Oct. 10, 48-41. Contrary to previous weeks, the Duhawks (2-3, 1-1) got off to a quick start, resulting in a 21-10 lead at half. Freshman Nolan Baumhover led the way on offense to the tune of 378 total yards and six touchdowns. His six touchdown passes tie senior Nik Schulte's school record set against Augustana in week three.

Following two consecutive turnovers to start the game, Baumhover and the Duhawk offense got back on track. Working their way down the field, Loras rattled off three first half touchdowns to take a 21-10 lead at the break. Sophomore Mikey Castoro used his speed on several occasions, running through and around the Beavers (1-4, 0-2) defense en route to two touchdowns in the second quarter. Baumhover kicked his play into high gear in the second quarter, using a multitude of short pass plays to grind out long drives and put the Beaver defense on its heels. The true freshman finished the first half with three passing touchdowns and 231 total yards.

Defensively, the Duhawks held strong after allowing Buena Vista to score 10 unanswered points to start the game. Loras rallied to hold the Beavers to six first downs throughout the first half and two third down conversions. Following a 93-yard drive from the Beavers to start the game, Loras allowed just 83 yards on the ensuing seven Buena Vista drives. A turning point for the Duhawk defense occurred in the first quarter when sophomore Bob Brophy forced a fumble deep inside the red zone, preventing a potential point-scoring drive for the Beavers.

Coming out of halftime ahead on the scoreboard for the first time this season, the Duhawks knew they'd have to get out to a quick start and build on their lead. Loras did just that and took complete control of the game. Facing a fourth-and-two just inside of Beaver territory, junior Zach Minch broke loose for a 44-yard touchdown to make it 28-13 Loras.

Following Minch's touchdown, Loras took advantage of two more long drives deep into Buena Vista territory. Junior Josh Schulte found himself on the receiving end of two short touchdown strikes to put the Duhawks ahead 42-13.

After Schulte's second touchdown reception, the Beavers began to mount their comeback. Less than two minutes after Loras went ahead by 29, Buena Vista ripped off three touchdowns in a span of two minutes and five seconds to cut the Loras lead to eight. The Beavers' top wide receiver, Jalen Henningsen, proved to be the Duhawks toughest task, hauling in 15 receptions for 308 yards and four touchdowns on the day.

In the end, Loras held tough when it mattered the most.

On their final offensive possession, Minch carried the ball seven times for 51 yards to set up Loras with a third-and-six from the Beaver 14-yard line. Baumhover dropped back to pass and found Castoro who scampered into the end zone for his third touchdown of the day.