St. Olaf College’s football squad opened the season with a 31‑16 defeat at the hands of Loras College, a result that belied the Duhawks’ 126‑45 advantage in rushing yards and a total of four turnovers, including four interceptions.
Game Highlights
Loras quarterback Joey Helminiak was the catalyst of the victory, completing 21 of 38 attempts for 383 yards and three touchdowns, while his 71‑yard catch‑and‑run in the fourth quarter effectively sealed the win.
Supporting Helminiak, wide receiver Isaiah Washington hauled in five passes for 168 yards and a touchdown, and tight end Preston Ellis added four receptions for 70 yards and another score, both contributing to Loras’s balanced aerial attack.
On the St. Olaf side, running back Bryon Sauvy powered the ground game with 18 carries for 81 yards and a touchdown, while quarterback Luke Crosby threw for 235 yards, one touchdown and four interceptions, a performance that underscored the team’s offensive volatility.
Defensively, St. Olaf’s Alec Mahoney recorded nine tackles, eight solo, and a pass breakup, but the Duhawks forced crucial turnovers, including a fumble recovery by Jaedon Phillips and a fumble return by Sawyer Chell that swung momentum in Loras’s favor.
A pivotal moment arrived when St. Olaf’s defense stopped Loras on fourth down, prompting a 37‑yard field goal by Patrick Gardner, only for Helminiak to answer with a 71‑yard touchdown reception that stretched the lead to 31‑16.
Looking Ahead
The Duhawks now turn their attention to a Midwest Intercollegiate Athletic Conference matchup against Concordia‑Moorhead on September 12, a game that will test whether the early‑season lessons can be applied.
St. Olaf will look to tighten its ball security and improve third‑down efficiency as it prepares for the upcoming opener, hoping to translate its substantial rushing totals into a more balanced performance.