Turnovers Costly in Spartan Football Opener
Sep 7, 2014
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team would like to wake up and start again after their 2014 season opener finished in favor of the UW-La Crosse Eagles 8-24 on Saturday night. The Spartans stumbled early and coughed up the football in their first three possessions in a combined 1:28 of possession. The six Spartans turnovers where more than they could overcome as the Pioneers were spotted the ball inside of the UD 35 yardline in four out of their first five possesions.
The third play of the first drive was an interception before UD would fumble on their first drive of their second possession. UD fumbled the kick-off on their third drive before the Spartans fourth drive ended in another fumble in the seventh play of the drive. Thankfully the visiting Eagles would only convert one of them into a touchdown. The Spartans defense stepped up and held the Eagles to two punts and a turnover on downs in three out of their first four opportunities.
The Spartans rushing offense was held to 87 yards as their passing offense finished with 196 yards. Zach Fry completed 24-40 passes and spread it around to six receivers with Tyler Rutenbeck grabbing seven for 51 yards and Lee Jones who caught five for 52 yards. Chris Bagley caught five for 40 yards. Charles Scott III led the Spartan ground game with 14 rushes for 62 yards and UD's only touchdown on the evening, a two-yard scamper.
Vincent Whipple led the defensive unit with eight solo tackles. Blaine Snitker and Trevor Stauner each collected six solo tackles and both finished with tackles for losses. UD had seven tackles for losses of 23 yards and seven quarterback hurries.
The Spartans will face #8-ranked UW-Platteville Pioneers next Saturday in Platteville, Wis. at 1:00 p.m. They beat Buena Vista University by a 63-3 score in Storm Lake before returning home to host the Spartans.
