In an American Rivers Conference battle between two teams looking for their first league victory, the Loras College Duhawks defeated the Norse 48-13 this afternoon in the valley. The Norse offensive unit produced its highest total offense of the season (310), but a couple of lost fumbles that led to Duhawk touchdowns turned the tide in this game. At the conclusion of the third quarter, the stadium was cleared for 30 minutes, due to official lightning strike protocol, of a registered strike that was five miles away. When the teams returned, there was a five minute warm-up period before the fourth quarter began.

The first miscue led to the Duhawks second score of the game late in the first quarter. The second was a an unfortunate play, when the ball popped out of the running back arms, straight into Duhawk linebacker Henry Ivers hands, who returned it 79-yards for a touchdown late in the second.

Aiden Damiani had his best game of the year, rushing for 80 yards on 17 carries. Damiani capped of an impressive nine-play, 92-yard drive by the Norse with a two-yard plunge with 7:47 left in the second frame. Damiani was also credited with four catches for 87 yards and finished the afternoon with a game high 160 all-purpose yards.

Quarterback Grady Rose, who took over for Brett Liljedahl during this scoring drive, threw for 149 yards and one touchdown. Rose and Nick Gonzalez connected on a 19-yard strike early in the fourth quarter. Gonzalez finished the game with nine catches for 87 yards. Liljedahl had to leave the game due an injury sustained during a 27-yard pass to Gonzalez that ended on the Duhawk two-yard line, that set up the Damiani touchdown. At the time, Liljedahl was 6-of-9 for 67 yards.

Defensively, Tyler Ragan was credited with a game high 15 tackles. Ash Wiley was next with eight, while Karl Fuhrman, Ronnie Lemon Jr., and William Whalen all had six.

Box Score

One week from today, Luther will travel to Central College. Start time in Pella, Iowa will be 1:00 p.m.