STORM LAKE, Iowa - The Loras College football team beat Buena Vista University for its second win of the season, 28-14.
 
It was an ugly one early on, but Loras (2-5 overall, 2-3 A-R-C) was able to use an explosive second half to give the Duhawks a much-needed victory over Buena Vista (2-5, 1-4).
 
The Duhawks' defense set the tone early in the game, forcing a three-and-out on the opening drive.
 
The first offensive drive for Loras looked promising, as Carter Cahill took the handoff nine yards on third-and-six, but a loss of two yards and two incomplete passes from Jacob Richtman led to a Daniel Giusto punt.
 
Loras' defense headed back out for the second time, looking to get another stop. Beavers running back Meven Obregon gained three yards on first down, but an incomplete pass, followed by a five-yard sack, brought the Beavers' punting unit back out. A flock of Duhawks got in to block the punt, recovering it in the end zone for a Duhawk touchdown.
 
After the special teams touchdown, the Loras defense returned to the field. On first down, Zy Gravitt found Gavin Honkomp for 23 yards, getting the Beavers across midfield, but just three plays later, a Gravitt pass found the hands of Loras defensive back Cormaic Flynn.
 
The Loras offense was unable to capitalize on the takeaway, which led to a Duhawk punt.
 
After the squandered opportunity, the Loras defense held Buena Vista to five yards on first down, but just two plays later, Braxten Johnson hauled in his fifth interception of the season.
 
Will Speltz and the Loras defense flew all over the field in the first half, and it stayed the same on the next drive. Adriel Fussell had his number called on the first three plays of the drive, gaining 18 yards on three carries, but the drive came to a halt as Micah Hendricks took another Gavitt pass the other way.
 
Loras' offense started the drive at the Buena Vista 37, looking to build its first sustainable drive of the afternoon. Cahill gained four on a first-and-10 carry, giving the Duhawks a second-and-six. On the ensuing play, the Duhawks finally had an explosive play with Richtman finding Sai McWilliams for a 31-yard reception. Myles Schumacher capped off the Loras drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown, putting the Duhawks ahead by two scores.
 
Neither offense was able to get anything going the rest of the half, as the Duhawks led 14-0 at the break.
 
Richtman connected with Brock Couch for a 64-yard reception, down to the Beavers' 19 on the first play of the second half. Just two plays later, Richtman delivered a strike to Hunter Guyon for another Duhawks touchdown.
 
Loras' defense showed a little bending on the Beavers' first drive of the second half, but thanks to a few penalties, forced a turnover on downs.
 
With the ball at their own 46, Richtman and the Loras offense aimed to maintain the momentum they had built. On second-and-12, Richtman and Couch were unable to connect, but a defensive holding penalty gave the Duhawks a fresh set of downs at the Buena Vista 46. An incomplete pass led to second down, where Ian Broshous took a handoff 19 yards to end up just short of the red zone. Two plays later, Richtman once again found Guyon for a 16-yard reception, inside the Buena Vista five. Isaac Oster was on the receiving end of the next play, a four-yard touchdown.
 
The Duhawk defense hit its first road bump after a Beavers drive went 68 yards on seven plays, capped off by a Wyatt Fahey 23-yard touchdown reception from Brett Garcia.
 
Much like the first half, there was a point in the fourth quarter where the two offenses were unable to punch the ball into the end zone.
 
Loras' offense got the ball back at its own three with 1:32 left, hoping to run the clock and walk out with a 28-7 win, and on first down Richtman found Broshous for 15 yards to the Loras 18. The next three plays wouldn't go well for the Duhawks, as they'd see a one-yard gain, an incomplete pass, and a rush that went for a loss of two yards, leading to another Giusto punt.
 
Starting at their own 13, Buena Vista capitalized on the first play, an 87-yard passing touchdown to Johnny Messerly, cutting the Duhawk lead to 14.
 
After recovering the onside kick, the Duhawks were able to kneel it out and walk away with a road victory, 28-14.
 
The Loras defense stole the show in the Duhawks' victory over the Beavers, forcing nine punts and three turnovers.
 
Richtman completed 24-of-43 passes for 276 yards and two touchdowns, and also led the Duhawks on the ground with 19 yards. Couch's 102 yards led all Loras receivers by a wide margin. Speltz led all defenders with eight tackles, while Flynn, Johnson, and Hendricks each had an interception.
 
Up Next: The Duhawks return home to the Rock Bowl to take on the Storm of Simpson College on Saturday, Nov. 1. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.