#21-ranked Football Hands #24 Central a 35-17 Loss
Oct 1, 2016
PELLA, Iowa - It was epic match-up of unbeatens on Saturday with the #21-ranked Spartans facing the #24-ranked Central College Dutch on their home field on homecoming. The Dutch would score first, then back-to-back scores by the Spartans would put them ahead and they would never trail in the game again. UD would win 35-17 after forcing the Dutch into committing six turnovers.
Quarterback Conor Feckley would end the afternoon with another five touchdown pass day after completing 28 of 50 pass attempts for 349 yards. His longest was an 80 yard touchdown to Emanuel Jenkins with 1:52 left in the first half. UD would use just 31 plays to score five times against the Dutch in under 15 minutes of possession. The Spartan defense adjusted at halftime and would keep the Dutch scoreless in the final half of play.
The Dutch held the edge in first downs 27-18, rushing yards 234-61, but UD dominated time of possession 34:56 to Central's 25:04. The Spartans would score 21 points off the Dutch turnovers. Dylan Schultz collected seven receptions for 103 yards and two touchdowns. Najee Toomer caught seven passes for 65 yards and a touchdown and Emanuel Jenkins ran for 101 yards after four catches and a a pair of touchdowns.
Maurece Herrion gained a tough 28 yards in 16 rushes, but the Dutch would finish with 234 yards on the ground. In special teams play, Dwayne Allen Jr. would return for 59 yards on two kick returns and Connor O'Malley punted seven times for 267 yards for an average of 38.1 yards. Brayden Neuendorf kicked off six times for 348 yards for an average of 58.0 yards a kick.
Defensively Derek Trotter and Le'Devin Smith led UD with 12 tackles each. Trotter would force a fumble and recover a fumble in the victory. Blaze Barista would collect two interceptions and returned them for 38 yards. Three sacks, one each for Jacob Owens, Bronson Watson, and Doug Gates.
UD will return home after two road games to face the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairiewolves on Chalmers Field Saturday, Oct. 8 at 1:00 p.m.
