AURORA, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - Three interceptions and a fumble plagued the Loras football team (0-2) on Saturday, dropping a non-conference loss to Aurora (1-1), 14-9. Senior Zach Minch motored his way to 168 yards on the ground and added one catch for nine yards. Sophomore Walter Ollie led the defensive effort with 11 tackles while freshman Jabari-James Turner-Smith made the most of his only tackle of the day, a 14-yard sack in the second quarter.

MOMENTS THAT MATTERED

• Loras' opening drive looked to have promise with redshirt sophomore Bob Kelly Kelly connected on three of his first four pass attempts, but a holding penalty at midfield, slowed the momentum.
• Aurora took full advantage of its first possession, marched 75 yards on 16 plays, while using 8:13 of the first quarter to open the scoring. All but two plays of the entire drive went for eight yards or less.
• After an exchange of three-and-outs, the Duhawks' offense found its rhythm despite beginning at their own 10-yard line. Kelly and company moved the chains and worked their way into the red zone, only to cough up the football on a fumble at the Aurora 12-yard line.
• With less than a minute left in the first half, junior punter Jeremy Peters pinned the Spartans on their own 1-yard line with a 42-yard punt. On the ensuing play, Geron Rogers fumbled in the end zone, which put Loras on the board with a safety.
• The Duhawks began their next drive with 28 ticks on the clock on their own 44-yard line and used the ground game to post gains of 19 and 18 yards by Minch to move the ball to the Aurora 19-yard line. It was there that junior kicker Mason Quigley missed wide left from 36 yards, in what could've brought Loras to within two points heading to the locker room.

• On Aurora's first drive of the second half, redshirt junior Liam Kirwan came up with a fourth down tackle for loss denying Connor Olson a first down to put the ball in the offense's hands. Loras was unable to do anything with the opportunity, after starting in Spartan territory, going three-and-out.
• Trailing by five with 5:54 to play in the third quarter, Kelly once again moved his offense down the field, using the halfback tandem of Minch and junior Isaac Cloward. On a 3rd-and-7 from the Aurora 35-yard line, Kelly was intercepted by B. Fulton, halting the drive in its tracks.
• On a 1st-and-10 from the Loras 33, Aurora's pass attempt was incomplete, but a pass interference call on the play gave the Spartans a first down from the 18-yard line. The next play from scrimmage saw Rogers connect with Justin Gibbons for a touchdown and opened a 14–2 lead for Aurora.
• With 9:00 left to play, Loras started its drive from their own 11-yard line but was quick to move the chains as Kelly hooked up with junior Mikey Castoro for a 19-yard gain. Minch then took the ball on three of the next four plays and gained 20 yards to move Loras to midfield. On 1st-and-10 from the Aurora 39, Kelly was intercepted at the five-yard line, keeping the deficit at 12 for the Duhawks.
• A six-play drive from Aurora did little in terms of production, yielding 17 yards. Following a punt to the Loras 32, Kelly got right back to work and strung together six-of-seven passes to move the Duhawks all the way to the Aurora 1-yard line before he hit senior Danny Willis for the touchdown. After Quigley's extra-point, Loras trailed 14–9.
• Quigley's onside kick attempt was successful, which provided the means and opportunity for the Duhawks to salvage the win.
• After three completions to senior Jon Powers, Kelly was intercepted for the third time of the day and second time at the five-yard line, ending Loras' comeback bid.

• Aurora's offense was on the field for 37:29 on Saturday and used that time to run 74 plays. Despite being out-gained 452–292, the Spartans ability to limit the Duhawks attack proved to be all the advantage they needed.
• Saturday marked the second consecutive game that Loras' defense has held its opponents to less than 300 yards of offense.
• Unlike in the season opener against Elmhurst, the Duhawks did not platoon their quarterbacks, leaving the ball in the hands of Kelly throughout the game.
• Minch recorded his first 100-yard game of the season and sixth since transferring to Loras before the 2015 season.
• Loras and its' opponents have struggled on third downs, combining for a 46.5 conversion rate.