Football Hold On for Senior Day Victory
Nov 8, 2014
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team finished their home season on Saturday during Senior Day at Chalmers Field. Despite the windy, chilly November afternoon, the Spartans provided a cardiac thriller of a game for the fans in attendance. The Spartans stretched their lead late in the game to 26-14 before the Kohawks rallied in the final fifteen minutes to score twice. Trailing 27-29 the visiting Kohawks attempted a two point conversion with 1:03 only to have the pass in the endzone deflected by UD's Blaine Snitker. An on-side kick by the Kohawks was recovered by UD and the Spartans ran the final minute out to secure the victory 29-27.
The Spartans trailed 7-0 after the Kohawks struck first on a 48 yard pass with 11:47 of the first quarter. UD's Zach Fry aired it out in the strong winds and found Tyler Dobratz for a 34 yard grab at 7:06 of the first Coe scored in the final minute of the opening quarter after a 22 yard catch to re-take the lead 14-7. The second quarter was a defensive display by both squads with UD's Curtis Prull earning the only points of the period on a 32 yard field goal to bring the Spartans to a slight deficit 10-14 at the half.
UD dominated the third quarter beginning with DaiVon Vance-Jenkins following his blockers and fighting his way to endzone from four yards out to give UD it's first lead of the afternoon 17-14. Dylan Ramsey blocked a punt and was unable to stop the football from bouncing to the edge of the left endzone for a safety to extend the lead 19-14. Vance-Jenkins with 4:12 remaining of the third period, broke through for a two yard touchdown to put the Spartans up 26-14. Coe scored quickly in the final quarter on a nine yard run to slice the Spartan lead 21-26 with 14:50 remaining. Prull battling a strong, swirling wind connected for a 33 yard field goal at 1:57 to push the Spartans to a 21-29 lead. Just 48 seconds later, Coe scored on a 43 yard pass with 1:03 left. They went for the tie, only to have the Spartans knock the ball away from an open tight end in the endzone for the final 29-27 victory at home in 2014.
The Spartans completed the day 185 yards on the ground and were led by Vance-Jenkins who finished with 153 and a pair of touchdowns. Fry completed 18-33 pass attempts for 158 yards with his longest being from 34 yards. Dobratz returned to the line-up after early season injuries and led the receivers with six catches for 69 yards and a touchdown.
The Spartans defense would pick off the Kohawks Josh Rekers three times. Oscar White led with two interceptions and returned them for 20 yards while Darren Myles captured one for 44 yards on the return. Trevor Stauner led UD with 15 tackles which also included a fumble recovery. Snitker finished with 13 tackles and a forced fumble.
UD (4-5 overall, 3-3 in IIAC) will travel to Pella, Iowa for next week's match-up with Central College (7-2 overall, 5-1 in IIAC) at 2:00 p.m. Central beat Buena Vista 32-25 on Saturday in Storm Lake.
