DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) – Trailing by one with 1:35 on the clock in the fourth quarter, Loras put the ball in the hands of their freshman quarterback, Nolan Baumhover, for the game-winning drive. As a team, Loras finished with 638 yards of total offense including eight touchdowns through the air via Baumhover as they defeated Central (3-3, 1-2) for the first time since 2008.

Key mistakes hurt the Duhawks in the first half, despite just a 27-20 deficit heading into the locker room at halftime. Two interceptions by Baumhover and a fumbled snap on a punt resulted in three touchdowns for the Dutch who started in Duhawk territory on each drive.

Loras (3-3, 2-1) wasted no time getting onto the scoreboard, taking their initial drive 77 yards on eight plays. The drive was capped-off with a 26-yard touchdown pass to senior Nate Even, his first of two first-half touchdown receptions.

Outside of the turnovers the Duhawk passing attack saw first half success, completing 21 passes for 242 yards. Four separate Loras receivers hauled in five catches a piece to help Baumhover lead the offense. Freshman Nate Bergfeld led the charge with 73 yards receiving at half.

Defensively the Duhawks struggled to hold Central's passing game in check, resulting 10 completions for 120 yards and a touchdown. On the ground the Duhawks held the Dutch in check however, allowing just 3.9 yards per carry. In his first career start, freshman Mike Sheriff led the Duhawk defense with eight first half tackles.

Heading into the second half, Loras knew they were still very much in the game despite trailing. A big stop on Central's opening second half drive set the tone for the Duhawks. Following that opening drive, Loras kickstarted their offense as Baumhover set up Even for his third touchdown of the game from 26 yards out. Loras didn't stop there though, scoring five touchdowns in the second half.

The Duhawk defense turned the tides in the second half, forcing Central into two turnovers. On their first drive of the fourth quarter, Central's Riley Gray was picked off on a 2nd-and-2 pass by junior Damon Davies who returned it to the Central 35 yard line.

On the very next play, Baumhover hit sophomore Nolan Davis over the middle for a nine-yard touchdown strike to give Loras their second lead of the day.

Central refused to go quietly, responding with a 10-play 65 yard drive of their own to tie the game at 41. The Gray brothers for Central led the charge, combining for all 65 yards on the drive.

The seesaw battle continued on the very next drive as Loras constructed an extended drive of their own, marching down the field with an 11-play 75 yard drive to retake the lead, 47-41.

Just as it looked as though the Duhawks were in the clear, the Dutch came marching right back thanks to a 69-yard touchdown pass from Riley Gray to Sam Markham. Following the extra point, Central reclaimed the lead, 48-47.

Baumhover orchestrated a six-play 69-yard drive in 48 seconds, capped by a 47-yard touchdown strike to junior Zach Minch to put the Duhawks in front for good. The two-point conversion was good as Baumhover hit Even in the end zone to take the 55-48 lead.

With 43 seconds left in the game, Central pulled out all the stops in an attempt to regain the lead. On 2nd-and-3, Riley Gray was intercepted by sophomore Maurice Young at the Loras 24-yard line, sealing the win for the Duhawks.

Sophomore Bob Brophy had a break-out game on defense, collecting 10 total tackles, a sack, and a key pass break-up late in the game.

After throwing two interceptions in the first half, Baumhover responded by throwing for 434 yards and eight touchdowns. His eight touchdown passes broke the Loras school record for most passing touchdowns in a game and narrowly missed the NCAA Division III record of nine.

On the ground junior transfer Zach Minch has added a new dynamic to the Loras offense, rushing for 161 yards on 23 carries. Minch also saw success in the passing game, hauling in three receptions for 60 yard, including the game-winning 47-yard touchdown reception with 47 seconds to play. Bergfeld was served as a reliable target for Baumhover, hauling in 11 receptions for 122 yards and a touchdown.

With the win Loras moves to 2-1 in the Iowa Conference, giving them their first winning record in the IIAC dating back to their conference opener in 2012. With four conference games remaining Loras looks to record their first above-.500 conference record since 2010.