Box Score
WAVERLY, Iowa—The Wartburg football team (5-2 overall, 3-1 IIAC) defeated Iowa Conference opponent Dubuque (2-5, 1-3) Saturday in the annual Homecoming game. Once again, a strong second half as the Knights outscored the Spartans 20-7.
Dubuque threatened to tie the score in the last second of regulation, but their 37-yard field goal attempt was wide right to seal the win for the Orange and Black.
Senior Reese Thompson (Van Horne) helped Wartburg take the early lead as he punched one in from one-yard out on their first drive of the game.
The Spartans answered on their first drive of the second frame and took the 14-7 lead on their following drive.
The Knights answered on their next drive as sophomore Logan Ruffridge (Cedar Rapids) made a 33-yard run for the score.
Dubuque once again regained the lead with a six-yard touchdown run by Dakota Runde to take the 21-14 lead with 3:53 left in the first half.
The Spartans would increase its margin to ten on a 37-yard field goal as time expired in the half to take the 24-14 lead at the break.
The Orange and Black sliced the lead to three points as sophomore Eric Loutsch (LeMars) caught a three-yard pass from freshman Logan Schrader (Kildeer, Ill.) to make the score 24-21 with 6:19 to play in the third quarter.
Wartburg took the 27-24 lead with 13:41 to play as this year’s homecoming king, senior Curt Hruska (New Hampton) hauled in a 25-yard pass from Schrader.
Dubuque answered back on its following drive to take the 31-27 lead with 5:36 to go.
The Knights were unable to capitalize on their ensuing drive as the Spartans gained possession on its own 14-yard line with 1:58 remaining.
The Orange and Black’s defense did not allow Dubuque past its own 15-yard line and with a quarterback sack and penalty, it was forced to punt from its own four-yard line.
Sophomore Capitani (Northwood) returned the punt to the Spartans’ 22-yard line with 1:25 remaining.
One play was all Wartburg needed as Schrader tossed a 22-yard pass that was brought in by Ruffridge to take the 34-31 lead.
Dubuque had one last possession with 1:16 remaining and marched up to Wartburg’s 20-yard line.
The Spartans faced first and ten with three seconds remaining and decided to attempt a 37-yard field goal. The kick was wide right to give the Knights the win.
Schrader recorded a career-best 338 yards through the air and three touchdowns.
Senior DJ Looft (Armstrong) also had a career day with his 140 yards on six receptions. This also marked his first 100-yard game of his career.
Junior Ryan Billings (Sterling, Ill.) led the defense with his nine total tackles (five solo, eight assists) and had one sack for a loss of eight yards.
The Orange and Black return to the field next Saturday on the road against Coe at 1 p.m.
Waterloo Courier Recap
