Opening Night Victory for Returning IIAC Champions
DUBUQUE, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team scored in every quarter of their 2012 opener in front of a nearly sellout crowd. The Spartans improved to 1-0 after a 39-21 victory over Augustana College Vikings on Saturday night under the lights.
UD struck first on a five yard run by Kyle Acker. UD allowed the visitors to break open some long plays when Auggie scored back to back touchdowns to capture the lead (14-7) on runs of 59 yards and 14 yards. The Spartans responded and scored three times in the second quarter. UD 's Dakota Runde scored on a nine yard scamper to the end zone before Kyle Acker added his second TD of the night on a two yard run. As time expired in the first half quarter back Wyatt Hanus found a big target in the end zone in Miles Hookstead from 32 yards out to lead at the break 27-14.
The Spartans lone score in the third quarter arrived courtesy of the defense. Senior Stephen Vassalotti picked up a Auggie fumble and rumbled in from 35 yards out jumping over teammates to reach the end zone. Auggie scored on a 10 yard run with 10:42 left of the third. UD's Chris Sanders scored on a two yard run for the final 39-21 score.
The Spartans gained 195 yards on the ground and 288 yards through the air for 483 yards of total offense. Hanus completed 23-31 passes for 288 yards with his longest being from 58 yards. Six receivers caught passes and the yardage was very balanced. Sean Anderson caught nine passes for 77 yards, Chris Bagley finished the night with 67 yards, Hookstead ended with 60 yards, Ian Cooper with 41 yards, Tyler Rutenback had 25 yards, and Lee Jones 19 yards. Acker rushed 31 times for 144 yards and a pair of touchdowns. Chris Sanders rushed nine times for 33 yards. and Runde finished with 17 yards.
Steve Jones kicked-off six times for 372 yards and an average of 62 yards. Dylan Ramsey reurned three kick-offs for 51 yards and Tyrone Galvin returned one kick-off for 26 yards. The Spartan defense settled in and held the Vikings to 236 total yards in loss. Trevor Runkle led UD with nine tackles with Malcolm Stewart finishing with seven including a forced fumble and a tackle for loss.
The Spartans will travel next week across the bridge to play UW-Plattevile with the game starting at 1:00 p.m. The Pioneers beat the Buena Vista University Beavers in Storm Lake by a 56-13 score.
