DUBUQUE, Iowa (Duhawks.com) - It's homecoming week for the Loras football team with Buena Vista coming to town. The Duhawks are in search of their first win this season and hope to bring it to their fans on Saturday. In last week's loss to No. 25 Central, Loras found their rhythm on offense and hope to carry that over into Saturday.

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS - OFFENSE
Buena Vista enters week five of the 2016 season in somewhat of a similar position to that of the Duhawks, in search of its first win. In each game this season, the Beavers have been bested in offensive production by their opponent. Trevor Trunck leads the offense from the quarterback position, completing 49.6 percent of his passes for a total of 716 yards. His favorite target is returning All-Conference selection Jalen Henningsen, who averages 7.5 receptions per game and has hauled in three touchdowns. Buena Vista operates with four primary wide receivers but will turn to Cody Mowerey an average of 22 times per game on the ground. Mowerey has yet to reach the end zone and enters averaging 85.5 yards per contest. Trunck is a mobile quarterback, having rushed 27 times and has scored two touchdowns on the ground. In total, seven receivers have caught passes from Trunck, which Loras fans should be familiar with given the Duhawks' depth at wide receiver. Against Simpson last week, the Beavers' offense struggled to score points when it mattered most and were forced to rely on the leg of Tyler Stolen to generate offense.

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS - DEFENSE
Two of the first four opponents for Buena Vista this season have been top-25 teams in Saint John's (No. 10) and Central (No. 24). Opposing offenses are averaging 33 points per game, 186.5 yards rushing and 285.5 yards passing for a grand total of 472 yards per game. Zach Mueggenberg leads the defense with 37 tackles and one forced fumble while Tyler Prescott totals 33 tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss and one fumble recovery. Defensive back Nick Amundson has been active in the secondary, collecting two interceptions while recording three pass break-ups. In last week's contest against Simpson, the Beavers held the Storm to 1-of-12 on third down and recorded three sacks.

SCOUTING THE BEAVERS - SPECIAL TEAMS
Ten-time Iowa Conference Performer of the Week Tyler Stolen anchors the special teams unit for Buena Vista, entering Saturday with a 75 percent conversion rate on field goals, including a long of 53 yards. Stolen is blemish-free on extra-point attempts and leads his team in points scored with 23. Stolen also handles the punting duties for the Beavers, averaging 40.1 yards per punt with eight of his 23 punts landing inside the opponents' 20-yard line. Buena Vista's primary kick and punt returners have combined to average 16.1 per return with a long of 27 yards. In the Beavers' season opener against Mayville State, they conceded a 95-yard kickoff return for a touchdown.

OFFENSE ON THE BRINK OF EXPLODING
Through the first three weeks of the 2016 season, Loras' offense struggled to find its rhythm. All that changed against Central when the Duhawks exploded for 34 points and 478 yards of total offense. During the 2015 season, Loras scored 34 points or more on five occasions, resulting in a 3–2 record. With the offense now back to similar form from a season ago, the ceiling is high for what the team can accomplish with the ball.

DAVIES THE DISRUPTER
In last week's game against Central, senior linebacker Damon Davies was all over the field on defense. He registered four solo and three assisted tackles. Davies' nose for the ball was also resourceful as recovered a fumble off of a big hit from fellow senior linebacker Mark Tilkes. The Duhawks kept pressure on the quarterback largely due to the four quarterback hits from Davies. Having a spark like Damon playing consistently will be huge for the Duhawks as opposing offenses will be forced to prepare for his pressure, which could open the door for other defensive players to make an impact.

BAUMHOVER FINDING HIS STRIDE
Sophomore Nolan Baumhover has now started the last two games under center for the Duhawks after earning the starting job following week two. Since taking over, Baumhover's stat line has shown significant progress, highlighted by last Saturday's 295-yard aerial performance, which included three passing touchdowns. The Peosta native also contributed to the ground game, rushing a total of 13 times for 54 yards and a quarterback sneak for a touchdown on the goal line.

WIDEOUTS GROWING WITH THE OFFENSE
Senior Jon Powers and sophomore Brad Boelkow showcased on Saturday why they are Baumhover's primary passing targets. As the Duhawk offense returned to form against Central last weekend, both Powers and Boelkow clipped the century mark, led by Boelkow's 10 catches for 109 yards and two touchdowns. Senior Danny Willis added seven catches for 47 yards while junior Mikey Castoro contributed 39 yards on three catches, including a long of 19 yards. In total, nine players have recorded receptions this season, totaling 115 catches for 1,197 yards and eight touchdowns.

MINCH STEADY AS A ROCK IN THE BACKFIELD
Senior tailback Zach Minch has quietly increased his value to the Loras offense in 2016. Through four games, Minch has carried the ball 99 times for a total of 423 yards, including two touchdowns. With an average of 105.75 yards per game, Minch's ability to gain yards, either on the ground or through the air, provides sophomore Nolan Baumhover with a consistent threat at his side.

AGGRESSIVE SECONDARY PAYING OFF FOR DEFENSE
Three of Loras' top-four tacklers in 2016 come from the secondary, led by senior safety Bryan Hermann. After an All-Conference campaign a season ago, Hermann is second on the team in tackles with 41, which includes 3.5 tackles for loss. Following behind senior linebacker Calvin Harridge's 52 tackles, sophomore Walter Ollie and freshman Riley Larson have combined for 58 tackles and eight pass break-ups.