UD Spartans Collect 68-7 Victory Over the Luther College Norse on Homecoming

DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team enjoyed one of the warmest October Homecoming games in recent memory and dominated the Luther College Norse in a 68-7 victory on Chalmers Field.

UD showcased their inaugural season of the matching band to the delight of over 800 alumni who were on hand to watch the Spartans compile over 673 yards of offense in the win. The Spartans used a balanced attack of 345 yards rushing and 328 yards through the air. UD ran 74 plays and gained an average of 9.1 yards a play. A slow start had the halftime score 21-7 in favor of the hometown Spartans. UD would find their mojo at halftime and score 47 unanswered point in the second half.

The Spartans would collect scoring from seven different individuals. Kallion Buckner rushed 11 times for 152 yards and collected the hat trick with a trio of scores. He scored on a three yard rush, a 65 yard scamper down the sidelines, and a 33 yard run. Tyler Olejniczak carried the ball 10 times for 111 yards and a pair of touchdown runs from two yards and 62 yards. John Allen rushed once, but made the most of his time by scoring from 29 yards out.

Ben Gultig passed for three touchdowns from 11, 12 , and 16 yards. He ended homecoming with 273 yards passing and completed 18-28 attempts. K.C. Moore completed 3-4 passes for 43 yards, Brandon Coppola was 1-1 for 12 yards, and Evan Leggett also made an appearance at quarterback. Wade Sheets led UD receiving corps seven catches for 111 yards and a touchdown and his longest catch being from 21 yards. Todd Simmons grabbed four catches for 45 yards. Torre Butts Jr. caught three for 68 yards. Butts Jr. also had two punt returns for 31 yards and a kick off return for 23 yards.

Defense was highlighted by a pick six, when Garrett Hertzfeldt tipped a Luther pass to himself and ran it for a 13 yard touchdown pick six. He would finish the day with six tackles. Brock Carter led the tackles with nine. The Spartans racked up five tackles for losses of 15 yards.

The American Rivers Conference Special Teams Player of the Week, Liam Smith was 8-10 in extra points and kicked off 11 times for 636 yards and four touchbacks.

The Spartans will enjoy a week off and use their bye week to rest and rehab as the season winds down. UD will battle the Loras College Duhawks in the Key City Clash in two weeks at the Rock Bowl on Nov. 5 with a 1:00 p.m. kick off. The Spartans return home on November 12 to face the Central College Dutch at 1:00 p.m. on Chalmers Field in the final regular season game for UD.