Box Score Coach Gary Thomas knew when his team traveled to Iowa Western Community College on Saturday they would have to play a mistake free game to come away with a win. While the Conqs put forth a great effort and were close to even in many statistical categories, mistakes ended up costing them in a 42-22 loss at the #5 ranked team in the nation.
Iowa Western took the first drive and looked very good offensively as they drove the ball from their own 32 to the Dodge City four yard line. The Conq defense stiffened at that point and denied the Reivers any chance of getting into the end zone, then when Western lined up for a field goal they mishandled the snap and Koby Perry pounced on the ball to keep the Reivers from getting any points on their first drive. Unfortunately the next play was when the first mistake happened for Dodge City as Anthony Watkins fumbled the ball and Iowa Western recovered then took the ball 32 yards to the end zone to take a 7-0 lead less than five minutes into the game. The Conqs offense found their stride on the next drive as a steady balance of Anthony Watkins and Drew Harris running allowed the Conqs to drive the ball 75 yards in just over four minutes. Watkins tied the game at seven with a 14 yard touchdown run. The Conq defense got a stop on the next Iowa Western possession and forced a punt. After a solid drive it looked like Dodge City was going to take their first lead of the game.  However, Devonta Guillory's 42 yard field goal attempt was blocked and Daniel Isom returned the block 66 yards for a Reiver touchdown to put them up 14-7. That is how the first quarter would end.

After the next Dodge City drive was stopped, Lewis Halton pinned the Reivers deep with a punt to the Iowa Western six yard line that proved to be big. On the first play from scrimmage Western through a swing pass that was a lateral that was dropped. Although they recovered the Conqs managed to tackle Michael Zachary in the end zone for a safety to bring the score to 14-9 in favor of Iowa Western. The ensuing Conquistador drive was halted when Harris threw an interception to give Western the ball on their own 41 yard line. They managed to put together a scoring drive that lasted less than two minutes and finished with a Gayflor Flomo touchdown run to put them up 21-9. Daquan Bailey-Brown took the ensuing kick-off back 33 yards then was assisted by a late hit that set up the Conqs in Iowa Western territory at the 42 yard line. After driving the ball to the Iowa Western 27 a penalty and a sack forced the Conqs to give the ball up on downs. Western started a drive that was defined by a big play by the Iowa Western quarterback. After picking up a 3^rd and nine to keep the drive alive, TJ Starks broke a 39 yard run to put the Reivers up 28-9. The teams would both trade empty drives on the next two possessions to send the game to half at that score.

The Conqs gave the Reivers a short field early in the second half after going three and out on the first drive, then having only a 14 yard punt to give Western the ball at the Dodge City 28. Starks would find Nick Singleton on the second play to push the Reiver lead to 35-9 just over a minute into the second half. Dodge City would then put together their most impressive drive since the first quarter. They drove the ball from their own 32 all the way to the Iowa Western nine yard line with Watkins once again leading the way on the ground. The drive stalled out inside the Reiver ten yard line and an errant field goal attempt left the Conqs empty handed on the drive. The Conqs gave Iowa Western plenty of free yardage on the next drive as they were called for three different 15 yard penalties on the drive including a pass interference that gave the Reivers the ball at the Dodge City 13 yard line. Starks would find Zachary from there to put Western up 42-9. The two teams would once again trade empty drives to send the game to the fourth quarter with the Conqs trailing by 33.

Dodge City seemed to find their footing again in the fourth quarter. On their first drive of the fourth quarter the Conqs moved the ball 73 yards in 10 plays. The drive was completed when Harris found Kyle Jones for a six yard touchdown pass to pull the score to 42-16 in favor of the Reivers. On the next Western possession, Perry forced a fumble that was recovered by Darius Miller to set the Conqs up with the ball again, this time at their own 40 yard line. Dodge drove the ball to the Western 22 yard line, but turned it over on downs. The defense stepped up again as Iowa Western fumbled again and Perry came up with his second fumble recovery on the day to give Dodge the ball at the Reiver seven yard line. Harris would capitalize immediately as he rushed for a seven yard touchdown, but the extra point was blocked to leave the score at 42-22.  Each team would have one more empty drive before the clock ran out giving Western the win.

Watkins had a big day for the Conqs as he rushed for 105 yards on 28 carries with one touchdown. Tyrice Richie had four receptions for 71 yards to lead the receiving corps. Perry led the defense with eight tackles, two forced fumbles, and two fumbles recovered for Dodge City. In the end 13 penalties, three turnovers, and the blocked field goal were the mistakes that were deadly for the Conqs.

The loss moves the Conqs to 2-3 on the season. They will be back in action at home next Saturday as they host Coffeyville Community College at 1:00pm at Memorial Stadium.