Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team met a top-ranked opponent UW-La Crosse Eagles on Saturday night under the lights of Chalmers Field and lost 3-30. The heavy downpour began about the time of the kickoff and it was relentless in the first half hampering both of the team's offenses. UD led after the first quarter 3-0 after a 34 yard field goal by Liam Smith. The Eagles rallied to lead at halftime 20-3 over the Spartans in the Hall of Fame game. The Eagles defense held the Spartans out of the scoring in the second half to win the non-conference tilt 30-3.
The Spartans showcased the new high definition Daktronics videoboard to fans in attendance. After 14 years, the previous board out lived it's tenure and was replaced with a brighter, spectacular high definition board which is about three times the size of the previous version. The new version allows audio to be played with video for an added fan experience.
UD was 1-2 in red zone chances deep in the Eagles territory, the Eagles were 4-4 in red zone opportunities.The two teams finished with about the same yards. UD finished the night with 66 plays for 306 yards of offense and UW-L ended with 64 plays for a game high 380 yards.The Spartans carried the ball 24 times for 81 yards while UW-L gained 276 yards on the ground in 44 attempts. It was the opposite in passing with the Spartans holding a significant edge with 225 yards over the Eagles 104 total passing yards.
The time of possession was also balanced with the Eagles holding a slight advantage of 30:41 over the Spartans 29:19. UW-L converted on third down conversions in 7-12 attempts and UD was 4-15. The Spartans defense stopped both fourth down conversions by the Eagles.
K.C. Moore started under center for the Spartans and was 22-42 for 225 yards with his favorite receiver being Za'Cameron Brice who caught seven passes for 71 yards. Nine different receivers caught passes in the home opener. Lontrez Duckworth rushed 12 times for 65 yards with his longest scamper from 15 yards. Conner Halla under pressure most of the night in hazardous conditions punted four times for 124 yards. Torre Butts Jr. returned two kickoffs for 43 yards, Wade Sheets returned two for 31 yards, and Derek-Earl Saint-Hilaire returned one.
Dalton Wood led the defensive effort and grabbed four solo and six assisted tackles, had the team's only interception and a pass break-up. Brogen Stewart had five solos and four assisted tackles with two quarterback hurries.
The Spartans (0-2 overall) open American Rivers Conference play next weekend in Lincoln, Neb. against the Nebraska Wesleyan University Prairiewolves at 1:00 p.m. UD will return home on Sept. 24 to face the Wartburg College Knights at 1:00 p.m. on Chalmers Field.