STORM LAKE, Iowa - Sophomore quarterback Brad Boyle (New Sharon, Iowa/North Mahaska) broke the NCAA Division III record for most passes attempted in a row without an interception Saturday, as the Kohawks defeated Buena Vista 31-20. Coe improved to 8-1 overall and 6-1 in the IIAC in their final regular season road game of the year.

The Kohawks won the coin toss, choosing to defer to the second half. Little did they know at the time, they would run the game's first offensive play, as Eric Bertelsen fumbled the opening kickoff at the Beaver 15 yard line. Three plays later, Boyle found the end zone on the ground, putting the Kohawks ahead 7-0, just 1:15 into the game.

After forcing a three-and-out for Buena Vista, Coe drove the ball right down the field. Boyle completed passes to three different receivers, while using the ground game, to drive 46 yards on nine plays. Junior Elliot Rausa (Waterloo, Iowa/Columbus) punched a 42-yard field goal through the uprights, putting the Kohawks ahead 10-0 with 6:45 to play in the opening quarter.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Beavers were called for holding, forcing them to start their drive from their own nine-yard line. A 29-yard pass from Brandon Phelan to Bryce Meyer set up the Beavers first touchdown, as Michael Black scored from three-yards out, cutting the Coe lead to three points with 1:35 to play in the first quarter.

Coe wouldn't back down after the Beavers made it close, as freshman Brendan Leiran (Waukon, Iowa/Waukon) returned the kickoff 76-yards to the Beaver six-yard line. Two plays later, Boyle rushed in from seven-yards out, extending the Kohawk lead to 17-7.

Buena Vista continued its drive into the second quarter, as they capped a 10-play, 66-yard drive with a seven yard run by John Hill, cutting Coe's lead back to three points.

The Kohawks used another big return from Leiran, this time a 32-yard return, to set up their next drive. Coe marched to the Beaver six-yard line, where they were faced with fourth and one. After lining up to go for it, Coe was called for a false start, forcing the Kohawks to kick a field goal. A 28-yard attempt by Rausa sailed wide right, due to a strong wind Northeast wind.

With :42 remaining in the opening half, Buena Vista tacked on a 37-yard field goal by Zach Kaufman, tying the game at 17. Coe ran two plays before running out the clock to end the first half.

Coe took the ball to start the second half, but the Beavers held them to a three-and-out. Buena Vista then went 57-yards before kicking a 36-yard field goal, putting them ahead 20-17. It was the first time the Kohawks had trailed in a game since Oct. 17 at Wartburg.

The Kohawks started with good field position after the Beaver score, as a short kick, and a 10-yard return by junior Ryan Jones (Harpers Ferry, Iowa/Waukon), put the Kohawks at their own 37-yard line. Boyle completed passes to Jones and senior Robert Welborn (Indianola, Iowa/Indianola) that drove the Kohawks to the Beaver 35-yard line before Boyle found junior Michael Rozum (Byron, Ill./Byron) streaking down the middle of the field for a touchdown, giving the Kohawks their final lead at 24-20.

Coe took the 24-20 lead into the fourth quarter, where they scored on the opening possession. Boyle completed passes to Welborn and junior Tyler Takes (Ely, Iowa/Solon) before diving in from three-yards out for his third rushing touchdown of the game.

Buena Vista had two drives to deep in Coe territory in the final eight minutes of the game, but the first ended as freshman Frank Weymiller (New Albin, Iowa/Waukon) forced a fumble that junior Elias Randel (Grundy Center, Iowa/Grundy Center) recovered. The second drive ended as the Kohawks swatted three-straight passes in the end zone in the final minutes, sealing the 31-20 victory.

The Beavers outgained the Kohawks 358-266 in total offense, while running 29 more plays than the Kohawks. Boyle finished the game 15-of-22 passing for 155 yards and a touchdown. He improved to 185-of-291 passing on the season, while breaking the old record of 288 pass attempts without an interception. Boyle also added 28 yards rushing and three scores on the ground.

Senior Sam Hammes (Story City, Iowa/Roland-Story) had a game-high 81 yards rushing on 16 carries. Welborn caught five passes for 34-yards, while Takes added four receptions for 28 yards. Rozum had a team-high 47 yards on two receptions.

On the defensive side of the ball, senior Calvin Thomas (Westchester, Ill./St. Joseph's) had a game-high 13 tackles, including 11 solos. His 11 solo tackles ranks as the fifth most in a single-game in school history. Tate Harrison (Nevada, Iowa/Nevada) added 11 tackles, while Weymiller had nine, all solo. Weymiller also had two sacks, moving him within a sack of breaking the school record, held by Adam Jordison in 2006.

The Kohawks will return to Clark Field for the final time of the 2009 regular season Saturday. Coe will host Cornell in the oldest football rivalry west of the Mississippi River. Kickoff is set for noon.