Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team cruised in front of the largest crowd of the season during homecoming in a 64-7 romp of the Luther College Norse. The Spartans jumped out to a 41-0 halftime lead and never looked back. Freshman Joey Rhomberg tossed six first half touchdowns and completed 27-32 pass attempts for 316 yards.
UD has one of the most special game day ball deliveries in the country was witnessed by the Spartan fans, alums, and special guests. In pre-game festivities, the UD aviation department helicopters did a quick fly by before setting down a pair of the Spartans heli fleet right on he x on each 35 yard line of the football field. The pilot exited and handed off the game day football to president Dr. Travis Frampton before zooming off the field as the UD marching band began their march to midfield. A spectacular feat in strong winds from the south delighted those in attendance.
UD collected 33 first downs and held Luther to just seven on the afternoon. The Spartans rushed 45 times for 141 yards and passed 38 times for 418 yards to finish with 559 total yards in 91 plays. The Spartans converted on 12-15 third down attempts and held the Norse to 3-15 in third downs. UD scored in all seven red zone chances and just three penalties were called on each team.
Benjamin Rodriguez was 8-10 in passing for 78 yards and a touchdown. Evan Leggett passed for 24 yards in 3-4 attempts. The quarterback trio favorite targets were Za'Cameron Brice who grabbed 11 passes for 113 yards and two touchdowns, Hunter Preston who caught seven passes for 94 yards and three touchdowns. Jamari Jenkins caught a six yard touchdown pass and Nathan Beneke had a one yard touchdown catch in the fourth quarter. The Spartans found 12 different receivers and rushed 12 different backs who finished with 141 yards on the ground. Tyler Olejniczak ran the ball seven times for 37 yards, Noah Roling ran seven times for 35 yards, Isaiah Martinez rushed eight times for 31 yards, and DJ Jackson carried the ball seven times for 22 yards. Fabin Jackson ran once for an eight yard score.
Dalton Wood and CJ Dean led with six tackles each and 27 other defensive players would join the action against the Norse. Channing Williams intercepted the Norse quarterback and ran it back for a pick six in the third quarter for his second defensive TD of the season. In special teams, Benjamin Rodriguez punted once for 50 yards and placed the ball on the one yard line and Christian Morganpunted twice for 43 yards. Jerome Wilson returned a punt for 17 yards and Blake Heffron returned two punts for nine yards. Joseph Xiya was 8-9 in extra points and kicked off nine times for 522 yards and three touchbacks for an average of 58 yards. Mitchell Cavanagh kicked off once for 53 yards.
The Spartans will enjoy their bye week on Oct. 12 before returning to face the Loras College Duhawks in the Key City Clash at the Rock Bowl at 1:00 p.m.