DUBUQUE, Iowa – The Loras College football team opened its 2026 season in the win column Saturday night, defeating St. Olaf College 31-16 inside the Rock Bowl.
The Duhawks produced 428 yards of total offense, including 383 through the air, while the Loras defense intercepted St. Olaf quarterback Luke Crosby four times to help secure the season-opening victory.
Loras wasted little time getting on the scoreboard. After forcing a St. Olaf punt on the opening possession, the Duhawks marched 62 yards on eight plays before quarterback
Joey Helminiak capped the drive with a two-yard rushing touchdown.
Aiden Konig converted the extra point to give Loras a 7-0 advantage with 10:02 remaining in the opening quarter.
St. Olaf responded early in the second quarter with a one-yard touchdown run from Bryon Sauvy to cut the Loras lead to 7-6.
The Duhawk defense helped set up the next score when Loras intercepted Crosby and took over at the St. Olaf 46-yard line. Seven plays later, Helminiak connected with
Preston Ellis for a 13-yard touchdown, extending the lead to 14-6 with 3:43 remaining in the half.
The Oles answered with a touchdown of their own with 31 seconds remaining, pulling within one at 14-13, but Loras needed just 23 seconds to respond. Helminiak moved the Duhawks from their own 27-yard line into St. Olaf territory before finding
Isaiah Washington for a 38-yard touchdown with eight seconds left in the half. The late score sent Loras into the locker room holding a 21-13 advantage.
Neither team found the endzone in the third quarter, but the Loras defense continued to make its presence felt. The Duhawks picked off Crosby twice during the period, keeping the Oles scoreless and preserving the eight-point advantage.
Loras added to its lead early in the fourth quarter when Konig connected on a 22-yard field goal to make it 24-13 with 12:57 remaining.
St. Olaf cut the deficit to eight following a 37-yard field goal with 3:09 left, but the Duhawks immediately delivered the finishing blow.
On the first play of the ensuing drive, Helminiak connected with Washington, who broke free for a 71-yard touchdown. The strike took just 12 seconds off the clock and pushed the Loras advantage to 31-16 with 2:49 remaining.
Helminiak finished the night 21-of-36 through the air for 383 yards and three touchdowns without an interception. Washington led the Duhawk receiving core with five catches for 168 yards and two touchdowns. Ellis added four receptions for 70 yards and a touchdown, while
Isaac Oster caught five passes for 48 yards.
Defensively, Loras forced four interceptions while holding St. Olaf to 16 points.
Ivis McNeal,
Charles Williams,
Braxten Johnson and
Brandon Glover Jr. each recorded an interception for the Duhawks.
Will Speltz led the defense with 11 total tackles, while
Henry Ivers added eight and Williams finished with seven.
The Duhawks finished with a 428-361 advantage in total offense and averaged 6.9 yards per play. Loras' passing attack accounted for three touchdowns and averaged more than 10 yards per completion, while the defense held St. Olaf to just 3-of-16 on third-down attempts.
Up Next: The Duhawks will travel to Lisle, Ill. to take on Benedictine University. Kickoff is scheduled for 6 p.m. from the Village of Lisle-Benedictine University Sports Complex.
