DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque Spartan football opened their season at home on Chalmers Field on Saturday, but the fans in attendance didn't know they were going to witness an offensive record setting contest. When the dust settled the score looked more like what you watch at a basketball game, UD-70, Bethel University-53. Eight combined scores would happen in :54 seconds or less between the two gun slingers running the offense. If you stepped out to grab some popcorn or a slice of pizza, you probably missed a touchdown or two.
The Spartans scored first off an 18 yard pass from junior Conor Feckley to jump to a slim early lead 7-0. The Bethel University Royals responded in 1:31 to even the match 7-7 on a 24 yard scamper to the endzone with 3:48 left in the first quarter. Bethel grabbed the lead 14-7 with 1:15 left of the first on a 46 yard touchdown pass. Dylan Schultz snagged a five yard catch from Feckley to knot the match 14-14. It would take just 14 seconds for Jonathan Duarte to give the home Spartans the lead off a 60 yard catch with 7:54 left in the second quarter. Bethel matched it with a two yard run once again tying the game at 21 all. Toomer had the hot hand and would grab a 65 yard toss for another touchdown in just eight seconds to re-take the lead 28-21 with 3:35 left. Bethel matched the Spartans with 10 play 82 yard drive to knot the game at halftime 28-28.
If the fans thought they witnessed alot of offense in the first half, they weren't prepared for the second half. A combined 67 points would be scored in the final 30 minutes of action or an amazing .55 points every 30 seconds. UD would overcome their largest deficit of the day 35-46, on a pair of touchdown catches by Najee Toomer on a 63 yard and an 81 yard pass in 1:02. UD running back Maurece Herrion never had time to touch the ball with the aerial assault, but would bounce his way into the endzone early in the final quarter to give UD the 56-46 lead with his first touchdown of the afernoon. Herrion would cap off the opener with a 40 yard run to end the scoring for both teams with 3:13 left on the game.
The Spartans will enjoy a short break for Labor Day before preparing to fly out to Forest Grove, Oregon next weekend in another tough contest against the Pacific University Boxers on Saturday, Sept. 10 at 6:00 p.m PST. UD will open their conference season on Sept. 17 when they host the Simpson College Storm at 1:00 p.m. on Chalmers Field.
Records tied or broken in the opener:
UD School Record Passing yards in a Game: 634 yards (Old Record: 529 vs. Buena Vista in 1996)
UD School Record for Passing Touchdowns: 8 (Old Record: 7 vs. Anderson)
UD Total Yards in a Game by Player: Conor Feckley 652 yards (634 passing, 18 rushing) (Old Record: 513 yards by Bryan Bradshaw vs. Simpson in 2013)
UD Total Offense in a Game: 77-734 yards (Old Record: 670 yards vs. Buena Vista in 1996)
UD Receiving Touchdowns in a Game: Najee Toomer - 5 (18, 65, 11, 63, 81) ties mark by Tyler Rutenbeck set in 2013
2nd Best Receiving Game in Yardage: Najee Toomer - 297 yards in 10 catches
Opening Weekend IIAC Scores:
Buena Vista - 33, Mayville State - 42
Central - 50, Whitworth - 49
Coe - 35, UW-River Falls - 20
Dubuque - 70, Bethel Univ. - 53
Loras - 27, Elmhurst - 28
Luther - 14, UW-La Crosse - 45
Nebraska Wesleyan - 34, McPherson College - 29
Simpson - 30, UW-Stout - 45