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WAVERLY, Iowa - The University of Dubuque football team used a fake punt to nearly score in the first half after a gain of 26 yards by Mitch Michaelis. The play helped set-up a 25 yard touchdown pass from Zach Fry to Tyler Rutenbeck just six plays later. The #6-ranked Knights offense never slowed down as they scored all four chances inside the red zone on Saturday to defeat the Spartans 42-9. It was the 72nd meeting between the two teams with Wartburg holding the all-time edge 44-27-1. The prior three meetings have been decided by a combined total of 13 points. UD's last win in Waverly was a 17-14 victory in 2006.
The Spartans defense held the Knights to a combined 326 yards of total offense. UD finished with 141 passing yards as the Knights ended with 133 yards in the air. Both squads were relatively equal on the ground as UD rushed for 142 yards (3.9 yds a carry) to the Knights 193 (4.6 yards a carry). Mistakes cost the Spartans 75 yards in penalties and UD also gave the Knights 14 points off turnovers.
Alec Arvanitakis rushed 25 times for 90 yards with his longest run of 18 years against a staunch Knight defense. Chris Bagley was the hot receiver for quarterback Fry who found the junior nine times for 80 yards. Leading receiver Rutenbeck was held to just three catches for 38 yards in the loss. Michaelis was busy punting all afternoon and finished with nine punts for 300 yards with his longest being 51 yards and he placed one inside the 20.
Everett Schwer and Trevor Stauner led the Spartans defense as both finished with six solos and an assisted tackle. Staunder captured the Spartans lone sack of the afternoon and Durrell Mitchell who had the lone interception from UD's defense as he picked off a pass on a 2nd and 15 for the Knights as they were at midfield. UD took over on their 18 yard line and would move the ball to the 50 yard line before Michaelis would punt to the Knights two yard line. The Spartans defense upped their intensity and held the Knights, who were forced to punt from their two after three plays. Pressure to the right side forced the Knights punter to scramble to his right and he stepped out of the back of the endzone on the play for a Spartans safety cutting the host Knights lead 20-9 with 1:44 left of the first half.
The Knights entered the field in the second half and held UD scoreless as they added 22 unanswered points to capture the match-up 42-9.
The Spartans (2-4 overall, 1-2 in IIAC) will host the Buena Vista University Beavers on Chalmers Field at 1:00 p.m. next week, Oct. 25. The Beavers (4-2 overall, 3-0 in IIAC) won a high scoring thriller in Storm Lake 48-41 over the Luther College Knights (4-2 overall, 1-2 in IIAC).