By Tony Boone, Senior Writer - Daily Nonpareil

The first win in school history was there for the taking, but Iowa Western’s inability to pass and defend the pass cost it in a home loss to Joliet Junior College.

The Wolves (3-0) edged the Reivers 25-22 on a 28-yard field goal by Jason Owens with 2:39 remaining Saturday at C.B. Stadium. IWCC (0-2) seemingly had the game in hand when leading 15-6 midway through the third quarter before two big pass plays by Joliet turned the game into a shootout.

“That one, we let get away,” Iowa Western coach Scott Strohmeier said. “We’ve got to make a few more plays offensively, and we’ve got to get a stop. That’s the bottom line. We’re so close.”

The Reivers held Joliet to 70 yards of total offense through 2 1/2 quarters until a breakdown in the secondary allowed Donny Schwaga to run free for a 51-yard touchdown reception. After a three-and-out by IWCC, Chris Walley connected with Tyler Ray for another 51-yard gain to set up a go-ahead touchdown run by Toshorn Napper that put the Wolves on top 19-15.

Kevis Streeter answered for Iowa Western on the next series, ripping off a 46-yard run one play before he scored from 12 yards out to put the Reivers back in front.

Joliet, which scored on its last four possessions, responded with an Owens field goal to tie the game. His game-winner came on the Wolves’ next possession.

IWCC had 2:31 to drive from its own 13 on its last series. Reserve quarterback Austin McBeth, who watched David Blackwell and Dominique Corder go a combined 2 for 13 with two interceptions, completed 3 of 5 passes to get the Reivers across midfield. A false start penalty and a pair of incompletions allowed Joliet to take over and run out the clock.

Iowa Western’s three quarterbacks were just 9 of 27 passing for 116 yards. Streeter had his second big week running the football, gaining 142 yards on only 12 carries.

“We’ve still got to find our identity offensively,” Strohmeier said. “We’re going too much in spurts. We’re running the ball great, but our pass game’s got to get a lot better.” Streeter put on a show Saturday. His 49-yard run on the fourth play of the game set up IWCC’s first score. He also had a 20-yard TD early in the third quarter to break a 6-6 tie.

Iowa Western dominated the first half of play, yet went into the locker room with the score even. Its defense limited Joliet to four first downs before halftime, but a mental error on a bad punt snap gave the Wolves the tying score.

The Reivers were up 6-0 but deep in their own end when punter Kieffer Lietsch picked up the loose ball on his goal line and decided to run instead of take a safety. He was stopped on the 1, where Joliet took over and scored four plays later.

Joliet (3-0) 0 6 13 6 – 25
Iowa Western (0-2) 6 0 16 0 – 22

IW: David Blackwell 5 run (kick blocked)

J: Chris Walley 1 run (kick blocked)

IW: Kevis Streeter 20 run (Daniel Biddick kick)

IW: Safety, Walley sacked in end zone

J: Donny Shwaga 51 pass from Walley (Owens kick)

J: Toshorn Napper 8 run (run failed)

IW: Streeter 12 run (Biddick kick)

J: Owens 21 FG

J: Owens 28 FG

Individual Statistics

RUSHING: IW, Streeter 12-142, Blackwell 11-59, Corder 11-50, Goldsmith 6-14, McBeth 2-4,
Joliet, Walley 11-4, Napper 6-15, Jackson 6-6, Bell 5-(-11), Team 3-(-3), Vonder Haar 1-3, Williams 1-0.

PASSING: IW, Blackwell 2-11-1 32, Corder 0-2-1 0, McBeth 7-14-0 84. Joliet, Walley 18-30-1 269.

RECEIVING: IW, Thompson 3-48, Goldsmith 2-29, Sullivan 2-22, Kos 1-14, Streeter 1-3.
Joliet, Shwaga 5-87, Williams 4-75, Bell 3-15, Ray 2-66, Pickett 1-15, Jackson 1-10, Loughlin 1-4, Reedus 1-3.