DUBUQUE, Iowa - Nebraska Wesleyan could not sustain a strong start, as the University of Dubuque posted a 44-22 victory over Nebraska Wesleyan in the Dubuque on October 10.
The Prairie Wolves (0-5) took a 7-0 lead in the first quarter, but Dubuque (3-2) scored 17 unanswered points and never trailed again. Dubuque took control behind quarterback Joey Rhomberg, who accounted for more than 420 yards of total offense and five touchdowns. Rhomberg completed 36-of-51 passes for 346 yards and five scores, while also rushing for 77 yards as Dubuque moves to 3-2 on the season.
For Nebraska Wesleyan, freshman
Hezekiah Johnson took advantage of his opportunities. Johnson rushed 14 times for a career-high 70 yards, including a 6-yard touchdown run. He added 68 receiving yards on seven catches. True freshman backup quarterback
Casen Carroll added 10 yards rushing. Sophomore quarterback
Levi Murphey completed 26-of-47 passes for 260 yards and two touchdowns.
Ian Gebhardt caught four passes for 84 yards and a touchdown.
Nebraska Wesleyan took the early lead on its second possession. Alexander Galaviz intercepted a Rhomberg pass at the Dubuque 22, and two plays later Jase Guntle caught an 18-yard touchdown pass from Levi Murphey with 8:39 left in the first quarter.
Dubuque responded right away, tying the score on a two-yard touchdown run. The Spartans would block a punt and would score 17 unanswered to take a 17-7 lead.
Nebraska Wesleyan answered on a six-play, 55-yard drive that included a 26-yard catch by Ian Gebhardt and a third-down hook and ladder from Corbin Horner to Gebhardt. Murphey's 20-yard touchdown pass to Gebhardt with 3:53 left made it 17-14.
Dubuque then reached the Nebraska Wesleyan 10 before turning the ball over on downs with 1:19 left in the half. The Spartans led 17-14 at halftime.
Dubuque opened the second half with a 10-play, 65-yard drive that ended with Cameron Brown's 3-yard touchdown catch from Rhomberg. The Spartans reached third down only once on the drive and averaged 6.5 yards per play. Rhomberg added his third touchdown of the day to conclude a three-play, 53-yard drive that extended the Dubuque's advantage to 31-14.
Dubuque's Trey Roberson returned an interception 23 yards to the Nebraska Wesleyan 35, and four plays later Cameron Brown caught an 18-yard touchdown pass, making it 38-14, Rhomberg's fourth touchdown pass of the day. Brown totaled 81 receiving yards on eight catches, as Dubuque outgained the Prairie Wolves, 478-338.
Nebraska Wesleyan answered with a 10-play, 75-yard drive, capped by Hezekiah Johnson's 6-yard touchdown run with 52 seconds left in the third quarter. Levi Murphey hit Jalen Pickens for the two-point conversion, making it 38-22.
Dubuque added one score in the fourth and missed the extra point to get to the final margin.
UP NEXT
The Prairie Wolves return home Saturday, Oct. 17, to host Central College at 1 p.m.
