The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

The independent newspaper of the University of Iowa community since 1868

The Daily Iowan

Intramurals: 80-yard strike propels Entourage

An unbeaten still remains in intramural flag football, after Entourage defeated Roethlisberger and Cheese, 26-24, on Tuesday night.

With the win, Entourage moves to 3-0 and remains on top of Division M. Roethlisberger’s loss drops the squad to 1-2 overall, one game ahead of division cellar-dweller Matt Chandler’s Team.

The longest touchdown of the game — scored at the end of the third quarter — was an 80-yard bomb to Nick Loizzo from quarterback Colin Marshall.

"We just go out there, everyone kind of does his own job and sees if he can beat his man — I try to find the open guy," Marshall said.

He did just that by finding Loizzo open downfield for the long connection.

"I guess my speed just took over on that," Loizzo said after the game.

His speed put Entourage up, 26-18 and proved to be the final dagger in securing the victory.

It wasn’t a cakewalk for the all-sophomore squad, though. The Entourage found itself down by 6 points on two separate occasions in the first and second quarters.

Early scores by Chris Roeske and Charlie Mahoney were set up by Roethlisberger quarterback Corey Noel’s feet. With less than two minutes remaining in the first half, it led, 12-6.

After regaining possession, the Entourage marched down the length of the field in orderly fashion with a combination of dual-quarterback play.

Entourage’s Jake Butler, who stepped in for a pro-style look on offense, started the scoring drive with two quick passes and a rush. His play gave Marshall, the scrambling quarterback, the momentum needed to drive the remaining length of the field.

After a third-down incompletion, Marshall found Dustin Tomlinson via shovel-pass in the middle of the end zone.

"We have a lot of good assets; everyone gets open, and everyone does his job," Marshall said. "The line protects very well."

"Yeah, very good blocking," Tomlinson, an offensive lineman, said and laughed.

A slight drizzle coated the turf at the Hawkeye Recreation Complex to begin the second half, but the wet conditions and humid air didn’t bog down the level of intensity.

A quick interception by Butler to start the third quarter led to another Entourage score on the ensuing possession, putting the team up by 8.

Roethlisberger didn’t take long to respond, though. Chris Noel connected with Kyle Schroeder on a 60-yard strike, but the team in black found itself down by 2 late in the third after a failed 2-point conversion.

Having gotten the ball back after Loizzo’s long touchdown catch, Roethlisberger scored on a connection between Noel and Mike Concannon on the next drive.

Another botched 2-point conversion ultimately sealed Roethlisberger’s fate, though.

Up by 2 and boasting the quarterback tandem of Marshall and Butler, the members of the Entourage relied on what they knew best — each other — to run out the clock. A majority of the Entourage hails from Wheaton, Ill., and played high-school football together.

"Most of us played high-school ball together, so I guess we have a lot of chemistry," Loizzo said.

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