DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras football team gave the fans quite the show on Saturday afternoon, nearly pulling off a come-from-behind victory over Coe. In the end, the Duhawk effort fell just short, with Loras dropping their Iowa Conference opener 30-27.

Coming off of the bye week, Loras (1-3, 0-1 IIAC) appeared out of sync for a majority of the first half, totaling 3:23 of possession and four first downs. Loras did get on the scoresheet in the second quarter thanks to an 80-yard passing touchdown from senior Nik Schulte to junior Danny Willis. The touchdown brought Loras to within 16 of Coe just before the halftime break.

Coe (2-2, 1-0 IIAC) benefited from the right foot of Brandon Abbas, who was a perfect 3-for-3 in the first half on field goals with a long of 35 yards. At a time where the Kohawk offense was struggling to break through and into the endzone, Abbas' clutch kicking gave them crucial points that they would eventually need down the stretch.

Much like their last two games, Loras came out of the halftime break looking for a rhythm that they didn't have on offense in the first half. Coe's defense, however, was up to the task, forcing Loras punt on two of their first three possessions.

Trailing by 23 entering the fourth quarter, Loras made a change at quarterback, bringing freshman Nolan Baumhover into the game. While it took a series to get control of the game, Baumhover's entrance brought the Duhawks a new sense of life.

On their first possession of the fourth quarter, Baumhover orchestrated an 11-play 75 yard drive, capped by a 1-yard rush by junior Zach Minch to bring Loras to within 16 points of Coe.

The Loras defense then took its turn in the spotlight, forcing Coe to a three-and-out, highlighted by junior Austin Epple's hurry on Gavin Glenn, followed by a holding call on the Kohawks.

Ten plays later, Minch was crossing the goal line for his second touchdown of the day, this time through the air as he took the Duhawks in from 23 yards out. The two-point attempt by Baumhover to senior Nate Even was deflected away, leaving the Duhawks with a 10-point deficit at 30-20.

Four plays and a loss of seven yards later, Coe was forced to punt from their own endzone, giving Loras the ball at the Coe 34-yard line. Baumhover connected on all three of his passing attempts, finishing with an 18-yard strike to sophomore Mikey Castoro to bring Loras to within three points of the Kohawks.

After seeing their lead cut to three, Josh Rekers returned at quarterback and hit Sam Lahr for a 39-yard gain to bring Coe inside Loras' territory. Staring at a 4th-and-6 from the Loras 32, Rekers pass to Trevor Heitland came up short, turning the ball over to Loras on downs.

The Duhawks took over with 1:59 on the clock and looked to Baumhover to execute a two-minute drill. Different defensive looks from Coe forced Loras into a 4th-and-13 after a Robbie Peters' sack of Baumhover. Baumhover's fourth-down attempt was incomplete to Josh Schulte, turning the ball over to Coe to run out the clock.