DUBUQUE, Iowa - Saturday's Key City Clash began like every match-up, two squads wanting the traveling trophy or "Key" to display at their institution for the rest of the year. UD held a slim 7-3 halftime lead, but broke the game open on four touchdowns of 36 yards or more all in second half to claim the 2023 Key City Clash 35-23 on Chalmers Field. The stands were adorned in yellow shirts, yellow ribbons as the two schools came together to highlight September's Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and give back to those in need, which dates back to the 2008 season.
The University of Dubuque and Loras College combined efforts and honored four children of University of Dubuque Department of Athletics' staff members who have been diagnosed with pediatric cancer and have undergone or are currently undergoing treatment. Proceeds will benefit UD assistant baseball coach Andrew Redman and his family, whose 18-month-old son Everett, was diagnosed with a baseball size tumor on June 28, 2023 and underwent surgery on July 5, 2023 where they removed about 30% of the tumor. He will begin additional treatment next week at University of Iowa Stead Family Children's Hospital in Iowa City.
In the spirit of sportsmanship and mutual respect, and in a desire to give back to their local community the University of Dubuque and Loras College have in the past contributed a portion of proceeds from the Key City Clash event to a local non-profit organization. Organizations who have received donations from the game are: United Way (2008), Big Brothers/Big Sisters of Eastern Iowa (2009), the Boys and Girls Club of Greater Dubuque (2010), Community Foundation of Greater Dubuque Flood Relief (2011), Riverview Center (2012), Opening Doors Maria House-Teresa Shelter (2013), the Gabriel Project (2014), and the Dubuque Dream Center (2015), the Gabriel Project (2016), and the Red Cross Hurricane Relief (2017).
The Spartans scored first and would score in every quarter, except the second. UD ended the afternoon with 93 yards rushing and two touchdowns, and were led by Devin Moore who rushed four times for 46 yards as Kallion Buckner carried the ball 14 times for 42 yards. Quarterback K.C. Moore garnered 337 yards through the air on 24-29 passing for three touchdowns with his longest being from 73 yards. His favorite taget was Za'Cameron Brice who caught 17 passes for 119 yards a TD. A pair fo receivers ended with 97 yards each with Torre Butts Jr. grabbing nine catches and Wade Sheets had eight including the one play for a 73 yard touchdown to start the third quarter.
Conner Halla was perfect on the day converting on all five of his extra points. He also punted six times for 268 yards with two touchbacks. Caleb Lawson had five kickoffs for 211 yards and Joseph Xiya had one kickoff for 56 yards. Devin Moore led UD in kick returns with four for 87 yards.
UD's defense came alive in the game and compiled seven sacks for losses of 47 yards. Garrett Hertzfeldt led with three tackles for losses of 11 yards. C.J. Dean led tackles for the Spartans with 10. He was trailed closely by Brock Carter who had seven solos and Parker Navitsky who had seven tackles with 1.5 sacks for losses of nine yards and 2/4 tackles for losses of 12 yards and a quarterback hurry.
The Spartans (1-2 overall, 1-0 in A-R-C) will travel to Pella, Iowa next week. The Central College Dutch (3-1 overall, 1-1 in A-R-C) will host on the Ron and Joyce Schipper Stadium on Sept. 30 at 1:00 p.m.
KEY CITY CLASH HISTORY
2008 – Loras College won 42-6 at Rock Bowl
2009 – Loras College won 43-14 at Chalmers Field
2010 – Loras College won 14-6 at Rock Bowl
2011 – University of Dubuque won 41-16 at Chalmers Field
2012 – University of Dubuque won 45-0 at Rock Bowl
2013 - University of Dubuque won 56-0 at Chalmers Field
2014 - University of Dubuque won 34-7 at Rock Bowl
2015 - University of Dubuque won 42-7 at Chalmers Field
2016 - University of Dubuque won 60-22 at Rock Bowl
2017 - University of Dubuque 27-24 at Chalmers Field
2018 - University of Dubuque won 49-42 at Rock Bowl
2019 - University of Dubuque 37-31 at Chalmers Field
2020 - No Game COVID-19
2021 - University of Dubuque 17-14 at Chalmers Field
2022 - University of Dubuque 27-20 in OT at Rock Bowl
2023 - University of Dubuque 35-23 at Chalmers Field
Funds from the proceeds of this week's game and donations from various activities like cookie sales, bucket brigade by both school's baseball team members, etc. will go directly to the Redman Family.