Seniors say goodbye, Kohawks say hello
Luke Pattarozzi, SID Assistant
November 6, 2007

The Loras College football team dropped their seventh game in a row in the season finale, 45-24, to Coe College last Saturday at the Rock Bowl.

"We knew it was going to be a battle. Coe's been well all year long and they do a great job of putting a lot of pressure on the quarterback," said Head Coach Steve Osterberger.

The Kohawks went into Saturday number two in the league in total defense and did not disappoint the Coe faithful on hand. Five turnovers were forced by the maroon and gold on their way to a convincing road win.

Loras got on the board first with a 27-yard field goal by Taylor Buymeyer that capped an impressive 16 play, 79-yard drive.

On the ensuing possession the Kohawks marched down the field with a 10 play drive of their own to tie it up. It would stay 3-3 through the end of the first quarter.

In the second quarter, Coe scored three times to just one score for Loras. Coe quarterback Andy TeKippe found Nick Ratchford and Sam Hammes for six yards and 19 yards, respectively, leading to two Kohawk touchdowns. TeKippe also ran for a touchdown - going 25 yards with less than a minute left in the first half - leading Coe to a 24-10 lead at halftime.

It was tough for the Duhawks to keep up, but Alex McGrew managed to have a standout performance. The game's leading rusher finished with 116 yards on 28 carries and two touchdowns. One of those which came on an eight yard run with 1:50 left in the second. 

The second half was much of the same. After a Matt McLaughlin fumble on the opening drive of the second half, Coe quickly strung together a five play, 39 yard drive culminating in a one yard  Hammes touchdown to go up 31-10.

Not long after Loras put together a quick drive of their own. It resulted from a terrific defensive stand and a 15 yard punt by Cody Lerch of Coe. McLaughlin and company took advantage and McGrew saw the purple turf for a second time following his 12 yard run into the end zone.

Coe would score twice more before the senior duo of McLaughlin and Tim Andrews connected for a two yard touchdown pass and catch with just over one minute remaining in the game. McLaughlin finished the day 19-39 with a touchdown and three interceptions.

On the defensive side for the Duhawks it was Reed Peterson coming up big. In the absence of All-American Brock Hall, Peterson delivered with 15 tackles, one fumble recovery, and a quarterback hurry. Tyler Carroll also turned in a good afternoon with nine tackles, six of them solo.

Things looked promising after two straight wins early in the season, but the inability to prevail in close games proved to be the biggest hurdle for the Duhawks in 2007.

"I think winning a close ball game early would have changed our confidence. Once we get over that hump and get that edge, it will get us rolling," Osterberger said.

This year's seniors have battled through adversity much of their careers, having gone through three head coaching changes, three quarterbacks, and a number of injuries - but have laid everything on the line and left everything on the field.

"Anytime you say good-bye to seniors it's extremely difficult. They've been through a lot in their four years," Osterberger said. "I appreciate what they've done for this program and the way they welcomed me into the Loras family."

For their committment to Loras athletics, a special thanks goes to Michael Hachey, Andy Zeal, Justin Carter, Mike Radakovitz, Nick Syska, Tim Andrews, Zach Wilker, Garrett Lechtenberg, Sean Kelly, Bob Roe, Tim Hernandez, Mitch Einck, Tyler Bruening, Justin Sparrgrove, Matt McLaughlin, Jon Gill, and Brock Hall.

Coach Osterberger says the number one thing he looks forward to is getting back on the field. They'll have spring ball for the first time in the modern era next year and he hopes that will improve the program.

"We'll have to go in with the right attitude and we're going to need to make improvements across the board," Osterberger stressed. "We're going to analyze everything as a staff and correct the problems that we had."