2's Wild, Loras left melancholy
Jon Denham, Sports Information Director

The Loras College football team was left shaking their heads on Saturday after an emotional loss in the Rock Bowl to Simpson College.

The game was a tale of two very different halves, two gritty Tim Andrews touchdowns, two Bill Nelson field goals, two impressive Trent Kain touchdowns, two very crazy overtimes, and two eye-rubbing missed extra points.

Loras outscored Simpson 17-3 in the first half only to see Simpson, to this point in 2007 not a second half team, outscore them by the same number in the second half. The Duhawks were led by Tim Andrews in the first half. He found the end zone twice and rushed for over 100 yards before the intermission as the primary running back. Alex McGrew carried more of the load in the second half and overtime and scored Loras' six points in the extra frame.

Simpson kicker/punter Bill Nelson converted on field goals of 32 (1st Q)and 49 yards (4th Q) to help carry the scoring load for the Storm. Trent Kain hauled in impressive catches in the second half of 24 and 27 yards for touchdowns.

Through four quarters the teams were knotted at 20 on the scoreboard. The Duhawks had the first possession of overtime and Alex McGrew crossed the goal line for the first score of the period, forcing the Dutch to reach the end zone if they were going to come away with a win. Unfortunately for Loras, Taylor Buymeyer's kick was no good, meaning a touchdown would all but guarantee victory for Simpson.

The Dutch wasted no time in answering with a 25 yard pass on their first snap of overtime from Travis Dietz to Brody Tubaugh. In one of the more bizarre plays in recent memory, Bill Nelson pulled what would have been the game winning extra point and the game continued tied at 26. Simpson struck first in the second overtime with a five play possession that resulted in a one yard Travis Dietz run for a touchdown. This time Nelson's kick was good.

Loras had their attempts to force another overtime come to an end after a fourth down try dropped to the ground and the game ended 33-26 in favor of the visitors.

Matt McLaughlin threw for over 200 yards, Jon Gill caught 70 yards worth of passes, and Mike Hachey added 65. Justin Sparrgrove and Brock Hall each tallied eight tackles on defense. Andy Zeal and Zach Wilker each added a sack.