The record books took a beating Saturday as the Central College football team couldn't keep pace with Loras College's video game-style offense in a 55-48 defeat Saturday.
Loras (3-3 overall, 2-1 Iowa Conference) put up a 28-point fourth quarter for the win.
Almost unnoticed in the flurry of numbers was a school-record 13 pass receptions for 206 yards and three touchdowns for Central sophomore wide receiver Sam Markham (Atlantic). Markham gave the Dutch one final glimmer of hope on the first play of what appeared would be Central's final drive late in the fourth quarter, grabbing a 69-yard TD pass from Riley Gray (junior, West Des Moines, Waukee HS) with a sprint down the sideline for a 48-47 lead.
But 1:41 remained, more than enough time for Loras quarterback Nolan Baumhover. He needed just five plays and 48 seconds to move 69 yards, throwing a Loras record eighth touchdown pass—one less than the NCAA Division III mark-- then completing a two-point conversion toss for a 55-48 margin. Central then scrambled to the Loras 44-yard line but Gray was picked off at the 24 with 20 seconds left to close the deal. The Duhawks put up a 28-point fourth quarter.
It was the first Loras win over Central (3-3 overall, 1-2 conference) since 2008 and the first one in Dubuque since 2003.
Baumhover completed 39 of 56 passes for 434 yards with two interceptions. His eight TD passes are the most ever yielded by the Dutch as are his 39 completions. The Duhawks' 638 yards total offense are six yards shy of the most Central has allowed (644 at Wis.-Oshkosh, Sept. 1, 2012) and their 97 plays are three less than the most allowed.
"Give Loras a lot of credit," coach Jeff McMartin said. "They executed really well and they made a lot of plays. They ran the ball well, they threw the ball well, they stayed on the field and they ran a lot of plays."
Meanwhile Gray completed 23 of 39 passes for 330 yards with two interceptions and three touchdowns. Central threw for 380 yards overall. Tight end Mitchell Boerm (junior, Traer, North Tama HS) had a career-high six receptions for 76 yards. Central rushed for 124 yards, including 71 and a touchdown by freshman Pat Gray (West Des Moines, Waukee HS). Running back Adam Lindell (senior, Denver, Colo., Arapahoe HS) had two touchdowns.
The Dutch rolled up a season-best 504 yards of total offense, the most ever posted in a Central defeat.
McMartin said it was difficult to slow the game's frantic pace.
"You try to, but at the same time, Loras kind of dares you to throw the football," he said. "They put so many people up front so that if you throw the ball well, good things will happen. We want to be a balanced offense. We want to run and throw the ball well."
Markham broke the single-game receptions record of 12 set by recent Dutch Athletics Hall of Honor inductee Randy Busscher against Ferris State (Mich.) in 1974. Markham's 206 yards are the third-most in school history.
But that's all backstory for the stat that matters, on the scoreboard. After Loras scored on its opening possession, Central rallied for a 14-6 lead after one quarter and was still up 27-20 at halftime, taking advantage of two Baumhover interceptions and a botched punt attempt. Central cornerback Cael Halfman (senior, Manly, St. Ansgar HS) picked off his third of the season and linebacker Mitch Schroeder (senior, Lowden) secured his second. Both set up Central touchdowns and the failed punt attempt resulted in a fumble in the end zone recovered by Drew Doehrmann (sophomore, Williamsburg) for a score.
The Dutch had opportunities to take control in the second half, but after holding a 34-27 advantage through three periods, Central was outscored 28-14 in the fourth quarter, which is when the Dutch threw their two interceptions. One set up a go-ahead Loras score and the other ended Central's final drive.
Despite Central's huge numbers, McMartin said there was more the offense could have done to produce a win.
"We left a lot of points out there," he said. "We didn't play well enough to win the football game. You get in a game like that, you've got to match the other team or exceed them. We made too many mistakes."
Central's Schroeder had a season-high 14 tackles while linebacker Drew Carlson (junior, Ankeny) had 12. Strong safety Tate Jensen (sophomore, De Soto, ADM HS) and linebacker Jessie Peterson (junior, Coralville, Iowa City West HS) each had nine. Linebacker TJ Huizenga (junior, Fulton, Ill.) had three tackles for loss, including two sacks, among his eight tackles and free safety Zach Matter (junior, Ankeny) had four pass breakups to go with his eight tackles.
Central is home next Saturday, taking on Coe College in a 1 p.m. game at Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium. The Kohawks (2-4 overall, 1-1 conference) fell short at home against Simpson College Saturday, 18-15. That capped a wild day for the league as across town from Central's game, No. 6-rated Wartburg College was stunned at the University of Dubuque, 45-13.
But McMartin's focus is already on next Saturday.
"We have to look at this game and learn from it," said. "We've got to get better and we will. This is a close-knit team. We'll get through this and be ready to go next Saturday."