DUBUQUE, Iowa – Despite a late effort to snag momentum, Loras College fell 35-23 to the University of Dubuque Spartans on Saturday afternoon at Chalmers Field. The loss pushes Loras to 2-2 on the year, including 1-1 in American Rivers Conference play, while Dubuque moves to 1-2 overall.

Quarterback Evan England was 36 of 52 passing for 372 yards, marks that all are season highs. He passed for two touchdowns, both of which were caught by junior wide receiver Mani Brown. Brown finished the game with a career-high 12 receptions, a mark that stands as the sixth-most in a single game in program history, and gives the Fort Meyers, Fla., native more than 100 career receptions.

Senior wideout Jaheem Haynes had himself a day catching the ball, hauling in eight receptions for a career-high 161 yards – the first 100 yard-plus game of his career. Meanwhile, Ian Broshous racked up four receptions for 57 yards, followed by Michael Crawford with four catches for 41 yards.

On the ground, Jamel Britt led the backfield with 43 yards and a score, followed by Johnnie Cason II with 40 yards. Britt also caught five passes, tying a career high.

Defensively, Mike Barber III led the team in tackles with nine (seven solo), followed by Michael Mixan with six, all solo. Josh Rydberg recorded four solo tackles, two tackles for loss, and a pass breakup. Zacchaeus Knighton and Brandon Phelps also recorded tackles for loss, giving Phelps back-to-back weeks recording the stat.

Scott Talmadge was two-for-two on point after tries, putting him at 17-of-18 for the year. The Ankeny native also converted on a season-long 23-yard field goal attempt, putting him at two-for-two on the year.

Dubuque scored their first possession of the game to go up 7-0 early. The Duhawk offense struggled to find rhythm but was able to get some points before the half after Loras' defense forced a stop on fourth down on the Loras 21-yard line with 5:11 remaining in the half. The Duhawks utilized a methodical 16-play, 73-yard drive to set up Talmadge with his 23-yard field goal and make it 7-3 with 24 seconds remaining before the break.

The Spartans scored on their first two possessions of the second half to make it 21-3, but Loras answered with a score of their own when Britt reached the end zone at 4:39 left to play in the third quarter. Dubuque extended its lead on the following possession to go back up three scores.

With 8:12 remaining in the game, England found Brown for the first of two touchdowns, this one from five yards out to trim the Spartan lead to 11. However, a 36-yard touchdown run from Dubuque with 5:43 to play pushed the lead up to 18. The Duhawks responded on their next drive with a 10-play, 64-yard drive that was capped off by England and Brown's second touchdown connection of the day to make it 35-23 before a failed onside kick attempt sealed the game for UD.

Up Next:
Next week will serve as Loras' bye week. The Duhawks are slated to return to action on Oct. 7 when the program hosts Central College on homecoming weekend. Kickoff is slated for 1 p.m. inside of the Rock Bowl.