Nov 2, 2002

PITTSBURGH (AP) - Niel Loebig threw five touchdown passes, including four in a 39-point second quarter, as Duquesne beat Iona 59-10 on Saturday.

Loebig's performance overshadowed a 205-yard game by running back Mike Hilliard, who scored twice on 36 carries for the Dukes.

Duquesne (9-0, 6-0) moved one step closer to its fourth consecutive Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference with the win. The Dukes have won 21 straight conference games, but needed St. Peter's to beat Fairfield to clinch the conference title. Fairfield won that game 27-14, also on Saturday.

Iona (5-4, 4-3) led 3-0 on Spenc Callahan's 32-yard field goal to cap an eight-play, 36-yard drive on the game's first possession.

But Duquesne, which entered the game ranked No. 1 in the NCAA Division I-AA Mid-Major poll, would score 45 unanswered points before the first half ended.

Hilliard gave Duquesne a 6-3 lead with a 4-yard touchdown run late in the first quarter, and Earl Bellisario tacked on a 30-yard field goal early in the second before Loebig exploded.

Loebig threw scoring strikes of 7 yards to Randy Vulakovich, 46 yards to Jeremy Conley and 13 yards to Matt Mrdjenovich in a 4:19 span before Hilliard scored again on a 15-yard run. Loebig then hit Conley with a 13-yard touchdown pass with 2 seconds left in the first half.

Duquesne got the ball frequently thanks to six Iona turnovers, including five interceptions - three by starter Billy Brieden who finished 11-for-21 for 135 yards.

Duquesne held Iona to 51 yards rushing on 30 carries.

After a scoreless third quarter, Tom Adams scored on a 1-yard run for Iona.

Loebig, who finished with 274 yards on a 21-for-35 performance, then hit Vulakovich on a 6-yard touchdown pass and Matt Hrutkey rounded out the scoring with a 20-yard run.