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On Loras Boulevard, they're running again with a rejuvenated ground game. On University Avenue, they're trying to move on from the giant upset that wasn't and without their all-American playmaker. Tonight's Dubuque Bowl XXXV finds two city rivals meeting at a crossroads and both trying to shake off early-season struggles and drive north in the Iowa Conference standings.
The 6 p.m. Key City Clash will be the first night college football game at the Rock Bowl. "When you look at both teams, we're evenly matched," Duhawks coach Steve Osterberger said. "We want to keep the momentum going after last week's performance." Loras (2-3, 1-2), winner of 27 of the first 34 Dubuque Bowls, is looking to build on its come-from-behind 17-14 homecoming win over Buena Vista. The Duhawks engineered an improbable comeback from a 14-0 second-quarter deficit by snapping out of a seven-quarter scoreless streak with a solid 139-yard rushing game keyed by sophomore Ryan Baez's 95-yard effort on 18 carries and game-turning special teams play. Kyle Westphal's playmaking special teams units, including punter Joe Walker and its IIAC-leading kickoff coverage unit (averaging 41 yards per kick), were at the top of Spartan coach Stan Zweifel's pregame scouting report. "They have one of the best special teams units in the conference," Zweifel said. "We have to watch out to make sure their special teams don't make big plays that make a difference in the game." Dubuque (2-3, 1-2) is searching for the missing pieces that are holding it back from being a much better football team. The Spartans could be 4-1 if they had closed out close games against UW-Platteville (a 21-17 defeat) and last week's heart-shattering 24-22 near-fall of No. 6-ranked and Iowa Conference-leading Coe (where the Kohawks' Jacob Breitbach intercepted Wyatt Hanus with 2 minutes left to blow up UD's drive for a game-winning score). With all-American wide receiver Michael Zweifel lost for the season to shoulder and hip surgeries, Dubuque has lost a game-changing weapon. "I'd be lying to you if I told you that (the Coe loss) didn't hurt," Zweifel said. "(But) we have to come emotionally ready to play this game. This is a huge game for us." all games big now of days, homecoming is great, there is a rivarlry between us and dubuque, been a good one, have our guys take next step toward for getting better.
