DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - A feverish comeback by Elmhurst in the fourth quarter spoiled a fast start by the Duhawks, who couldn't hold onto a double-digit lead third quarter lead, falling 28–27 on Saturday afternoon in the Rock Bowl. Making his first career start, sophomore
Brad Boelkow hauled in seven catches for 90 yards and a touchdown while sophomores
Bob Kelly and
Nolan Baumhover split time, combining to go 28-for-43 for 306 yards, four interceptions and three touchdowns.
MOMENTS THAT MATTERED
- With much anticipation surrounding the 2016 season and third under the direction of head coach Steve Helminiak, the Duhawks found themselves trailing early after Kelly was intercepted on the second play from scrimmage, which Elmhurst took to the house for a touchdown. The Bluejays missed the ensuing PAT, one of three that they would miss on the day.
- On the ensuing drive, Loras marched down the field using 11 plays and four different receivers, going 72 yards for the score to jump in front, 7–6.
- After a pair of three-and-outs from both sides, Elmhurst needed 10 plays to go 77 yards and regain the lead thanks to a 25-yard field goal at 9–6.
- Less than a minute into the fourth quarter, Kelly found sophomore Brad Boelkow in the back of the endzone for a touchdown strike to give the Duhawks the lead once more. After a missed two-point conversion, Loras lead 13–9.
- A 28-yard touchdown pass from Baumhover to Castoro down the right side increased the lead to 11 with 8:10 to play in the half.
- Out of he halftime break, Elmhurst went 3-and-out before punting to the Loras 40 yard line. On the ensuing drive, Kelly went 3-for-3 from the pocket, capped by a six-yard touchdown to senior Danny Willis to increase the lead to 27–9.
- The Bluejays hopes of a comeback were dimming after a three-and-out immediately following combined with another sustainable drive by the Duhawks. On 2nd-and-10, Kelly looked to have his third touchdown locked up, but a mistime throw ended up in the hands of Elmhurst's Tyler Schwartz at the four-yard line.
- Using the momentum from Loras' second interception of the game, the Bluejays mounted a 14-play, 96 yard drive that spanned 8:01, capped by a five-yard touchdown pass from Orlando Hernandez.
- After a three-and-out by the Duhawks, Hernandez was intercepted on the first play of the drive by senior Damon Davies, but Loras turned the ball over right back to Elmhurst on the following drive, an interception by Baumhover that was returned by Sean Wetherall 80 yards for the score, bringing Loras' lead to six with 13:01 to play in the fourth quarter.
- The Duhawks next series was abruptly halted with a fumble by Baumhover and turned into points for the visitors with another long drive, this time featuring 11 plays from scrimmage and covering 48 yards while using 6:43 of clock, giving the Bluejays their first lead since the opening quarter.
- Head coach Steve Helminiak turned to Kelly with 3:02 left to orchestrate the comeback bid, but an interception at the Elmhurst 40-yard line ended the Duhawks' chances of victory.
KEY STATS
- Of the Bluejays 28 points on Saturday, 25 of them came following a Loras turnover, including two interceptions returned for scores.
- Loras totaled 407 yards of offense to Elmhurst's 285, but four interceptions and one lost fumble plagued the offense with four of the five turnovers coming in the second half.
FRIEDMAN GROUP PLAYER OF THE GAME
Brad Boelkow | Making his first career start, the Spring Grove, Ill. native caught seven passes for 90 yards and a touchdown.
UP NEXT
Loras returns to the gridiron next week on the road against Aurora. Saturday will mark the first-ever meeting between the two schools. With the addition of Nebraska Wesleyan to the Iowa Conference, this will be the second and final non-conference game of the season for the Duhawks before opening IIAC play on Sept. 17 against Coe.
