DUBUQUE, Iowa – A new era of Loras College football is set to begin at 7 p.m. in the Rock Bowl on Saturday, Sept. 5, when the Duhawks welcome in the Oles of St. Olaf College.

With a new coaching staff at the helm and nearly 60 newcomers joining the program, the 2026 season represents the beginning of a new chapter for the Duhawks.

"This is year one of a new staff and a new standard," said head coach Brandon Novak. "Our expectation is not a slogan — it's that we compete every Saturday. We will play fast, physical, and relentless on defense and poised, precise, and powerful on offense."

That mentality will be tested throughout an American Rivers Conference (A-R-C) schedule that annually features some of the top programs in NCAA Division III, something that will be no different this year. The conference features two top 25 teams in the American Football Coaches Association (AFCA) Preseason Poll in No. 9 Wartburg College, and No. 22 Coe College, while Central College sits just outside the top 25, receiving votes.

Rather than shy away from that challenge, the Duhawks see the strength of the conference as an opportunity to measure their progress.

"The A-R-C is one of the toughest leagues in Division III," Novak said. "We know that. We're not hiding from it. We are excited to try and raise our team up to compete at the level that has been set in the conference."

Experience Returns to Duhawk Defense

While a new staff brings change, new defensive coordinator Hayden Sanders will have plenty of experience to lean on defensively, highlighted by a strong linebacker core.

Senior Henry Ivers returns after establishing himself as one of the Duhawks' most productive defender's last season. The Oak Lawn, Ill. native totaled 66 tackles, 14.5 tackles for loss and three and a half sacks on his way to earning Honorable Mention All-Conference and Academic All-District recognition.

"He's a producer," Novak said. "He's smart, physical, and sets a standard in the meeting room."

Joining Ivers is fellow senior Will Speltz, who returns as Loras' leading tackler from a season ago. The Winnebago, Ill. native finished the year with 78 tackles, nine of them being for a loss, and five sacks, giving the Duhawks another proven presence in the middle of the defense.

Seniors Drew Diers and Oakley Harbaugh round out an experienced linebacker group. Diers, a Wayland, Iowa native, brings another veteran presence with experience competing in the A-R-C, while Harbaugh, a Guttenberg, Iowa native, gives the Duhawks experience on the edge.

That veteran leadership also extends into the secondary.

Junior Brandon Glover Jr. returns after gaining valuable starting experience, while junior Braxten Johnson provides a proven playmaker on the back end. Johnson recorded five interceptions and six pass breakups last season and will look to once again create problems for opposing offenses.

Veteran Pieces Lead New-Look Offense

Longtime Duhawk and newly appointed offensive coordinator Jon Powers will look to lead an offense that features some key returners as well.

Like all offenses, the Duhawk offense will start up front with seniors Beau Baker and Tanner Brooks. Baker, an Asbury, Iowa native and Hempstead High School product, gives the Duhawks a veteran in the trenches, while Brooks brings another experienced presence to the offensive line.

"Those two know this community, they know this program, and they give us a foundation up front," Novak said.

At receiver, senior Brock Couch returns after serving as one of the featured pieces of the Loras offense a season ago. The East Lake, Fla. native will be counted on not only for his playmaking ability, but also to provide leadership to a receiving core that could feature several new contributors.

Senior quarterback and week one starter Joey Helminiak gives the Duhawks another familiar face on offense. A Dubuque native and Hempstead product, Helminiak will look to build on a 2025 season that saw him play in just four games due to injury.

Newcomers Ready to Make Their Mark

The large incoming group was an intentional part of the staff's vision for year one, adding depth and creating competition throughout the roster.

"We needed bodies, we needed competition, and we needed guys who want to be part of building something here," Novak noted.

Several of those newcomers could make their presence felt immediately.

On defense, Ivis McNeal and Charles Williams add depth and athleticism to the secondary.

McNeal, a first-year defensive back from Loganville, Ga., arrives at Loras with ties to the Dubuque community through his family. His size and physical style could give the Duhawks another option on the back end.

Williams joins the program as a junior out of Chaminade-Madonna in Fort Lauderdale, Fla. His combination of length and previous collegiate experience provides another veteran option within the secondary despite being new to the program.

Youth will also be on display offensively.

Freshman offensive lineman Ethen Frederick arrives from Zephyrhills in Dade City, Fla., and has already put himself in position to compete for playing time. Frederick's size and experience within a strong high school program could allow him to contribute early in his collegiate career.

"Ethen comes from a good high school program, he's got the frame, and he's earned the right to compete immediately," Novak said about his freshman offensive lineman.

At receiver, freshmen Cayden Ban and Zach Aleman are two names Novak is excited about. Ban comes to Dubuque from Anoka, Minn., while Aleman joins the Duhawks from Vista Murrieta in California. Both have impressed during camp and could see snaps early in the season.

"They're different body types, but both have been productive in camp and they're not afraid of the moment," said Novak.

The Loras backfield will feature some of the most intriguing competition on the roster.

Quinn Breitbach returns home to Dubuque after spending time at Iowa Western. The former Hempstead standout and 2025 NJCAA National Champion gives the Duhawks another local product looking to make an impact inside the Rock Bowl.

Freshmen Terren Green and Jeremy Pittman will also compete for carries. Green comes to Loras from Snowflake, Ariz., while Pittman joins the program from John Carroll in Melbourne, Fla.

All three will take part in a "running back by committee" role early in the season.

Building Something That Lasts

With a new staff, new systems and a significantly different roster, the Duhawks understand that establishing their identity will not happen overnight.

Instead of placing all of the emphasis on where the program stands at the beginning of the season, Loras wants to see what it can become by the end.

"Internally, the bar is simple: get better every week," the coaching staff said. "Don't be the player you were at the start of the season, but choose the path that takes you to who you want to be by the end of the season."

That growth will come from the details. Taking care of the football. Blocking. Tackling. Lining up correctly. Holding one another accountable. And away from the field, continuing to put academics first.

As those habits develop, Loras hopes its identity becomes apparent every Saturday.

"We want the Rock Bowl to feel like a place teams don't enjoy coming," Novak said. "If we do the daily work — academics first, toughness, accountability — the results will follow."

For a program entering the first season of a new chapter, there will be plenty of ways to evaluate progress throughout the fall. Wins and losses will always matter, but the Duhawks believe the foundation established during year one could have an impact well beyond the 2026 season.

"We're not measuring this season only by the final record," said Novak. "We're measuring it by whether we laid a foundation we can build on for a long time."

And for Loras football, building that foundation begins Sept. 5.