ELMHURST, Ill. (Duhawks.com) - Now entering the second season of the Steve Helminiak era, Loras sought to open the season on a high note. For three quarters the Duhawks played solid football, matching the Elmhurst College Blue Jays point for point. Unfortunately for Loras (0-1), a series of turnovers in the fourth quarter ended their hopes.

Loras looked as anticipated in the first half of action, featuring a fast-paced offense rivaled by few at the Division III level. In just 11:35 of possession the Duhawks ran 37 plays for 201 total yards of offense. The offense was led by junior Zach Minch who ran for 109 yards on 14 carries in the first half. Minch added nine yards through the air to accumulate 118 total yards at halftime. In his first collegiate action, freshman Nolan Baumhover showed poise in the pocket towards the end of the half, finding senior Nate Even for a 21-yard strike in what turned out to be the lone offensive touchdown of the first half.

Defensively, the Duhawks held Blue Jays (1-0) Pre-Season All-American Josh Williams to 52 yards rushing through two quarters. Loras' first-half was ultimately done in by a fumble from sophomore Bob Kelly which was returned for a touchdown. If not for the fumble the Duhawks could have been looking at a lead heading into the break.

Loras' defense got right back to work out of the break, forcing the Blue Jays to punt from inside their own territory. Neither team was able to get much going in the third quarter of play, with both teams holding each other scoreless up until the final minute of the quarter when Williams broke free for a 47-yard Blue Jay touchdown. Entering the fourth quarter, Minch wasted no time getting back into a groove by capping of a 71-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown to even the score at 17.

Following Minch's touchdown things took a turn for the worse. After a series of punts from both teams, the Duhawks had a punt blocked on their own 10 yard-line. Williams and the Blue Jays capitalized on the first play off the turnover, resulting in a 24-17 deficit for the Duhawks. Following a fumble from Baumhover, Williams scampered for another 47-yard touchdown to increase Elmhurst's lead to two scores. Despite another solid series defensively from the Duhawks a Baumhover interception killed what Duhawk momentum was left.