DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - The Loras football team travels to Waverly this weekend in search of its first win of the season against Wartburg. A perennial Iowa Conference power, the Knights have won two of the last four regular season championships. The last time the Duhawks defeated Wartburg came in the 2004 season, when Loras handed the Knights a 31-14 loss on the road.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS - OFFENSE
Despite the 2–2 record entering week five, Wartburg's offense has had plenty to be happy about, averaging 491.8 yards per game. Led by Matt Sacia under center, the Knights put forth a balanced offensive attack, with Sacia totaling 1,069 yards and 10 touchdowns through the air, while Connor Schrader and Jake Haberman shoulder the load on the ground, combining for 454 yards and four touchdowns. While Wartburg as a team average 216.8 yards per game, there is not a single runner that is over the 100-yard per game mark. Riley Brockway has caught 29 passes for 380 yards and three touchdowns. As a team, the Knights operate at a 44 percent rate on third downs and 46 percent rate on fourth down. Compared to its opponents, Wartburg's offense has run an average of over 20 more plays per game. 

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS - DEFENSE
Overall, opponents have struggled to find a rhythm on offense against Wartburg, limited to an average of 14.75 first downs per game and 360.5 yards per game. On third downs, the Knights limit the opposition to a mere 25 percent completion rate. A balanced defensive unit sets the tone for Wartburg, with five players totaling 20 or more tackles. Tony Anstoetter leads the Knights with 28 tackles, including 15 solo, and has added three pass deflections and two breakups. Dalton Ciavarelli has 3.5 tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks to go along with his 22 tackles.

SCOUTING THE KNIGHTS - SPECIAL TEAMS
Jake Pisarik handles the punting duties for Wartburg this season, averaging 40.9 yards per punt. Six of his 19 punts have landed inside the opponents' 20-yard line line and two have totaled 50 yards. Brayton Brandt is 3-for-4 in field goals, with a season long of 32 yards. His lone miss was blocked by Nebraska Wesleyan in the first game of the conference season. The Knights are averaging 19.6 yards per kickoff return, led by Riley Brockway's 21.8 yard average and a long of 35 yards.

LAST MEETING AGAINST WARTBURG
When these two sides met a season ago, the Knights prevailed despite a furious comeback attempt from the Duhawks in the regular season finale. Wartburg jumped out to a 35–12 lead in the first half, highlighted by a interception return for touchdown in the second quarter. With Nolan Baumhover under center, Loras capitalized on three scoring drives in the second half with touchdown strikes to Nate Even and Zach Minch. With 31 seconds left, Nate Carrier scored on a 1-yard run, which capped a 16-play 74-yard drive. Loras converted on the two-point conversion, but were unable to secure the ensuing onside kick, securing the 49–34 win for the Knights.

HOLDING ONTO HALFTIME LEAD
The Duhawks have held a halftime lead in three out of the five games they have played this year, outscoring opponents 52–36 in the opening frame in those contests. Loras' defense has been susceptible to late comebacks, conceding 61 points in the fourth quarter alone. In contrast, the Duhawks have scored 47 points in the second half, compared to their opponents striking for 99 points.

BOELKOW'S BRILLIANCE
Despite a loss in last week's homecoming game, sophomore Brad Boelkow continued to put on display his strong season as one of sophomore Nolan Baumhover's primary receiving targets. Last week, Boelkow recorded a team-high 155 yards on 10 receptions and added two touchdown catches, bringing his season total to six, which leads all Duhawk receivers. In his first season as a starter, Boelkow is averaging 13.1 yards per reception, which included a 65-yard strike for Loras' first touchdown against Buena Vista. 

MOVING THE CHAINS
So far this season the Duhawk offense owns a slight advantage over its opponents, having completed 121 first downs. Loras has been successful moving the chains in the open field, but have had difficulty punching the ball into the end zone when it matters most. With 19 trips to the red zone, the Duhawks have been held to 11 successful trips, all of which have been touchdowns. Of their six missed chances, three are a result of turnovers, while the remaining three have been due to missed field goals. 

DEFENSE IN SEARCH OF EARLY SEASON SUCCESS
In Loras' opening two games, the defense held opponents to under 300 yards of total offense and an average of 21 points. Since the beginning of conference play, Iowa Conference opponents have totaled 121 points. Additionally, opponents are a perfect 19-for-19 in the red zone, which includes 15 touchdowns and four field goals. Led by seniors Calvin Harridge and Bryan Hermann who have a combined 113 tackles, including 5.5 for loss, the Duhawk defense needs to regain its confidence that led to success in the opening two weeks in the second half of the season.