Spartans Football Rally from Deficit to Capture 44-13 Victory
Oct 24, 2015
STORM LAKE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team battled a fast start by the host Buena Vista University Beavers on Saturday before rallying from a 0-10 deficit to capture the Iowa Conference road victory 44-13 to remain unblemished in the IIAC with a 4-0 record. UD prepares next week for the Key City Clash vs. the Loras College Duhawks on Halloween on Chalmers Field at 1:00 p.m.
The Spartans won the opening coin toss and deferred until the second half. The Beavers used a 10 play drive to move the ball 63 yards and used up 4:50 to score on a eight yard pass. On the kick-off, BV onside kicked and recovered the ball on the Spartans 29 yard line. UD's defense held BV to eight yards and forced them into a field goal, which they connected on from 38 yards to jump into an early lead 10-0 over the Spartans.
UD would finish the day outscoring the Beavers 44-3 and ending the afternoon with 482 yards while holding the hosts to 235 total yards. Quarterback Rio Johnson was near perfect completing 21-29 attempts for 190 yards through the air and two touchdowns. Dylan Schultz grabbed seven catches for 55 yards and teammates Chris Bagley grabbed five passes for 63 yards and two tocuhdowns as tight end Trenton Grana-Curry had five catches for 49 yards. Johnson would add five rushes for 40 yards, but UD was led in rushing by Maurece Herrion who gained 110 yards in 22 attempts and scored twice. Dai-Von Vance-Jenkins gained 82 yards in 11 carries. The Spartans gained 292 yards on the ground in 45 attempts.
Once again the Spartans defense stepped up and this week held the Beavers to third and fourth conversions to a slim 4 of 14 opportunities. BV's drives in the second half would end early. Their first drive of the second half would be stopped on a safety, their next four drives ended in Spartan interceptions (Michael Joseph, Oscar White, Chad Sadowski, and Chad Sadowski). Zach Marotta led with six tackles and Blaine Snitker had five including 1.5 for losses.
The Spartans prepare for the Key City Clash next week when they play host to the Loras College Duhawks (4-3 overall, 3-1 in the IIAC).
