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DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football remained unbeaten in American Rivers Conference play on Saturday in front of the largest crowd of the season for homecoming 2021 on Chalmers Field by a 41-28 margin. The Spartans improved to 5-1 overall and 4-0 in A-R-C play as Simpson dropped to 1-6 overall and 1-4 in A-R-C.
Strong westerly winds hampered the kicking game on Saturday as the two squads would both be held 0-0 in the opening quarter and entered halftime with 14 points in the opening half of play. UD scored on two long pass plays. Elliott Pipkin helped UD to it's first score on a 71 yard reception from quarterback Brandon Coppola at 10:37 of the second quarter. Coppola would find DaMon Street for UD's second score at 5:07 from 51 yards out. Simpson knotted the game with just 10 seconds left on the clock prior to halftime off a 19 yard touchdown pass.
UD scored twice in the final third and fourth quarters. Street scored in the third quarter on a 31 yard pass play. Sayvaun Roberts bulled his way into the endzone on a two yard run with 8:58 left of the third. Kallion Buckner scored off an eight yard run with 14:52 left of the game. UD's defense would get their chance and scored at 13:41 on a 31 yard interception return by Tyler Geiman.
UD's scoring opportunities were set-up by strong defensive play throughout the day. UD would force six interceptions for 84 return yards. UD finished with 229 yards passing and 166 yards rushing for 395 combined yards in the victory. Coppola was 11-17 for 231 yards and three touchdowns. He had three favorite targets: Elliott Pipkin who caught five passes for 84 yards, DaMon Street who grabbed two catches for 82 yards, and Karletty Faamatuainu who had three catches for 59 yards. The ground attack was powered by Kallion Buckner who rushed 12 times for 90 yards and Sayvaun Roberts wo rushed six times for 70 yards. The two would both finish with touchdown runs.
Tyler Geiman led the defensive with nine tackles and a pair of interceptions for 31 yards of return. Adam Steingraeber collected seven tackles, a forced fumble and an interception.
The Spartans schedule ahead will not be a friendly environment as UD will face Wartburg on the road next week at 1 p.m. UD returns home to host the Coe College Kohawks on October 30 at 1 p.m. On Nov. 6 the Spartans will match-up against the Central College Dutch, who are ranked #10 in the country in the latest AFCA and D3football.com polls. UD wraps up their regular season hosting the Loras College Duhawks on Nov. 13 at 1 p.m. in the battle of the Key City Clash on Chalmers Field.