Six turnovers were too much to overcome as the Central College football team fell to Dubuque 35-17 Saturday afternoon in Pella.

The Dutch struck first with a 52-yard bomb from Riley Gray to P.J. Carey, and were down only 21-14 late in the first half despite four giveaways. But the Spartans struck for the biggest play of the game less than two minutes before the break – an 80 yard touchdown pass to Emanuel Jenkins. It was one of five touchdown passes thrown by Dubuque’s Connor Feckley, who was 28-of-50 for 349 yards.

Unheralded Nathan Fitzgerald, who was the fourth running back on the depth chart coming into the season, led Central. He rumbled for 217 yards on 32 carries. The Spartans stymied Central’s passing game, however, as Riley Gray and Nate Boland combined to go just 15-of-35 for 269 yards with two touchdowns and three picks.

The Dutch drop to 4-1 on the season and 2-1 in the Iowa Conference and head to Cedar Rapids next Saturday to take on undefeated Coe College.