The streak is over.
Loyola running back Damon Hazelton rushed for two touchdowns, including one in overtime, and the Dons blocked a potential game-tying extra point to defeat Calvert Hall, 21-20 in the 94th Turkey Bowl at Towson University’s Johnny Unitas Stadium.
The win for Loyola (3-8), in front of an announced crowd of 7,709, snapped its four-game losing streak in the long-running series. The Dons now lead the overall series 49-37-8.
Hazelton came up with several key plays throughout the game, including a 66-yard touchdown run with 6:38 left in the third quarter to help tie the game at 14. Hazelton also had a 37-yard run in the first quarter as part of a game-opening 9-play, 80-yard drive capped by a 2-yard touchdown run by quarterback Ben Evans.
“This was the greatest day of my life,” said Hazelton after the game of the winning touchdown run. “They just opened the hole and I was able to run right in. I have to give credit to my team because they allowed me to do what I did.”
While Loyola outgained Calvert Hall in yardage 237-127, the Dons appeared poised to lose for a fifth straight time in the series. Calvert Hall (3-9) led 14-7 after the first quarter thanks to two big plays over a minute span.
The first came when Kevin Nickel forced a fumble, which Juantez McRae scooped up and scampered 68 yards for a touchdown with 4:30 left in the first quarter. The Cardinals then blocked a Dons punt and recovered it at the Loyola 3. One play later, Nickel gave Calvert Hall a 14-7 lead following a 3-yard touchdown run.
In overtime, Loyola got the ball first and Hazelton carried the ball twice, including for a 5-yard touchdown run.
Calvert Hall responded with a 9-yard touchdown pass to Erik Evans from Kenji Bahar. However, Loyola’s Jake Nordhausen secured the win when he blocked Jake Soriano’s extra-point attempt.
"I feel bad for my seniors," Calvert Hall coach Donald Davis said. "I work every day to come back [and beat Loyola next year]."
Ron Snyder and Nick DiMarco contributed to this story.
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Loyola (3-8) 7 0 7 0 7 21
Calvert Hall (3-9) 14 0 0 0 6 20
1st
08:22 LOY - Ben Evans 2 yd run (Gavin Rowley kick), 9-80 3:38 0 - 7
04:30 CHC - Juantez McRae 68 yd fumble recovery (Jake Soriano kick) 7 - 7
03:22 CHC - Kevin Nickel 3 yd run (Jake Soriano kick), 1-3 0:07 14 - 7
3rd
06:38 LOY - Damon Hazelton 66 yd run (Gavin Rowley kick), 6-87 2:33 14 - 14
OT
00:00 LOY - Damon Hazelton 5 yd run (Gavin Rowley kick), 3-19 12:08 14 - 21
00:00 CHC - Erik Evans 9 yd pass from Kenji Bahar (Jake Soriano kick blockd), 2-60 0:00 20 – 21
