DUBUQUE, Iowa - The Loras College football team lost its sixth game of the season against the Simpson College Storm, 28-27.
 
It was a late-game rally for Loras (2-6 overall, 2-4 A-R-C) that gave them a chance to top Simpson (5-3, 4-2).
 
The Loras offense looked to set the tone early on, opening the game with a nine-yard completion on second-and-12 to Ian Broshous. Carter Cahill then had his number called on the next two plays, rushing for five yards, moving the chains for the Duhawks. Jacob Richtman then found Broshous for 10 yards, followed by a completion to Brock Couch for 17. Despite the promising start, the Duhawks were forced to punt just a few plays later.
 
Looking to make a statement, the Storm offense started with an 11-yard rush by Demarico Young, followed by a three-yard run by Cole Staska on the end around. After a 28-yard rush by Young, Jayden Thoreson split three Duhawk defenders on a floater to the conference's scoring leader, Noah Cracraft, on what would be a 44-yard touchdown.
 
After the early touchdown, the two offenses struggled to move the ball into opposing territory, as the two combined for 11 punts and three turnovers on downs.
 
Leading 7-0 with 30 seconds remaining in the first half, the Storm wanted to add to their lead. Simpson's drive opened with a bang, a 55-yard rifle to Staska, getting down to the Loras 17. On second-and-13 from the 20, Carson Penyich found himself on the receiving end of a Thoreson pass in the back corner of the endzone.
 
Simpson found themselves up 14-0 at half and set to receive the ball after the break.
 
It was a defensive battle for the two sides, as the Duhawks forced a Storm punt. After a Cahill three-yard rush, Richtman and Couch connected for 19 yards. Just two plays later, Richtman rifled a ball to Broshous for 22 yards, getting the Duhawks to midfield. A holding penalty wiped away an 18-yard rush by Richtman but was followed by a Myles Schumacher four-yard gain. The Duhawks were on the verge of putting together a scoring drive, but Simpson cornerback Mekhi Holmes capitalized on miscommunication by the Duhawks, intercepting a Richtman pass in the end zone.
 
The Loras defense stood tall against the Simpson offense, partly thanks to an unsportsmanlike conduct call, forcing another punt, which brought the third quarter to a close.
 
Down 14 in the fourth quarter, the Duhawks needed to put together a scoring drive. On second-and-10, Richtman delivered a strike to Jimmy Peterson for 13 yards, moving the chains. Cahill gained five on a first-down run, then on the next play, Richtman and Isaac Oster connected for 11 yards. On first-and-10, Richtman rifled a ball to Sai McWilliams, but Holmes jumped the route perfectly, taking it to the house for a Storm pick six.
 
Now down 21-0, Richtman and the Loras offense desperately needed to put up points. On first-and-10, Broshous took a Richtman pass for nine yards. After a five-yard completion to Oster and a 14-yard rush by Cahill that was negated by a holding penalty, Richtman delivered a pass to Oster right in the breadbasket for a 38-yard catch and run touchdown. The ensuing PAT wound up being blocked, resulting in a 21-6 deficit.
 
Looking to respond to the Duhawk touchdown, Simpson called Lucas Knox's number on the first two plays of the drive, setting up third-and-six. Thorsen found Staska in the middle of the field for a 39-yard reception, down to the Loras 19. After two rushes totaling 13 yards, Thorsen once again found Cracraft for a Storm touchdown, this time from six yards out.
 
The Duhawks opened up the following drive with an 11-yard completion to Couch, followed by a six-yard pass to Broshous. Richtman then delivered a pass down the seam to Hunter Guyon, who held onto the ball through contact. After an incomplete pass, Richtman called his own number, taking it 14 yards for the touchdown. The Loras two-point conversion was successful, making it 28-14.
 
Niko Jemilo and the Duhawk defense made quick work of the next drive, forcing a three-and-out, getting the ball back in the hands of the red-hot offense.
 
With 5:29 remaining in the game and the ball at their own 49, the Duhawks needed a quick score. On first down, Richtman delivered a floater to Guyon for 33 yards, and inside the red zone. On the very next play, Oster hauled in his second touchdown of the contest, bringing the Duhawks back within seven.
 
Continuing where they left off, the Duhawk defense stayed strong as Brian Rodriguez and Max Terlap combined for a third-down sack, forcing the ninth punt by the Storm.
 
At their own 30 with just under three minutes remaining, the Duhawks looked to knot the game up at 28, or even a 29-28 victory. On first down, Oster and Richtman connected for eight yards. Just a few plays later, Richtman tucked the ball and took it 13 yards to the Simpson 31. On the very next play, Richtman threw the ball up in the back of the end zone, and despite being held on the play, Oster came down with the touchdown, his third of the day. To tie the game, Aiden Konig had his PAT blocked for the second time.
 
With the game on the line, the Duhawks were unable to recover the onside kick, and one first down allowed the Storm to escape the Rock Bowl with an ugly 28-27 victory.
 
Richtman completed 30-of-47 passes for 420 yards and four total touchdowns. Oster's 137 yards and three touchdowns led all Duhawk receivers. Jemilo led all Duhawk defenders with 14 total tackles (12 solo) and two sacks.
 
Up Next: The Duhawks hit the road for the final time this season on Saturday, Nov. 8 to take on the Kohawks of Coe College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. from Clark Field.