The Snow College football team suffered a heartbreaking 20-13 defeat at the hands of Iowa Western Community College Saturday in Ephraim.  The defeat is the first home loss for the Badgers in two years.
 
The Badgers entered the weekend riding a four-game winning streak.  They defeated Georgia Military College 33-30 in overtime last weekend in Milledgeville to improve to 4-1 overall this season.
 
IWCC entered the weekend with a perfect 6-0 record and as the reigning NJCAA National Champions.  The Reivers have also had plenty of success against the Badgers historically having won each of the previous three meetings between the two teams.
 
Things started off well for the Badgers as they scored on their second possession.  The drive started with a pair of seven-yard completions which moved the Badgers inside the Reivers 40.  Two plays later, Donovan Smith connected with Tyrique Carter who found the end zone from 29 yards out giving the Badgers a 7-0 lead.
 
The Badgers forced and recovered a fumble on the ensuing Reivers drive and took over at the IWCC 43-yard line.  Snow College moved down the field and was set up with 1^st and goal at the 1-yard line to begin the second quarter.
 
The next snap was fumbled and recovered by IWCC at the 1-yard line, thwarting the Badger's attempt to go up by two touchdowns.  Fortunately, on the following play, Stockton Bramwell picked off a pass from IWCC's Hunter Watson and the Badgers regained possession at their own 46.
 
The Badgers would move the ball to the Reivers 25-yard line but were stopped on fourth down and IWCC took over possession.  The Reivers responded and drove the ball down the field and cut the Badgers lead to four after converting a 33-yard field goal, bringing the score to 7-3 with just over six and a half minutes to play.
 
Snow College wasted no time in extending its lead and would score on its next possession.  A 42-yard kickoff return set the Badgers up near midfield.  Jared Wilson caught two passes on the drive, one of 15 yards and the second a 29-yarder in which he beat his defender and waltzed into the end zone.
 
The teams exchanged punts before the Reivers would cut into the lead once again before the half.  They moved the ball down the field in just 59 seconds and scored a touchdown on a 20-yard pitch and catch to cut the lead to 13-10 for the Badgers at halftime.
 
Snow College would go scoreless in the second half for the first time since the last time these two teams met.  IWCC would tie the game early in the third quarter.  The Badger's first possession lasted just 39 seconds and IWCC took over inside Badger territory.  The Reivers were only able to gain 20 yards but made a 40-yard field goal to even the score at 13.
 
IWCC took the lead for good on their next possession.  They needed only two plays and a 15-yard penalty to score on a 35-yard touchdown pass to take a 20-13 lead.  Snow College threatened to score a few times but had its best chance at the end of regulation.
 
The Badgers used 11 plays and over five minutes of game clock to march down the field.  They were set up inside the red zone with just over a minute left.  Two incomplete passes and a 6-yard rush set up 4^th and 4 from the 14-yard line.  
 
Smith lofted a pass to Jared Wilson in the corner of the end zone.  Wilson leaped and appeared to come down with the ball.  Terry Foote Stadium erupted, but the pass was ruled incomplete, and the Reivers took over with a minute to play.  
 
The Badgers were unable to stop the clock enough times and IWCC was able to run the remaining seconds off the clock to claim the 20-13 victory.
 
Smith threw for 261 yards and two touchdowns while Carter caught seven passes for 92 yards and a touchdown.  The Badgers as a team outgained the Reivers by 70 yards and held possession for nearly 15 more minutes of game action.  
 
Snow College now turns its attention to the US Air Force Academy Preparatory School for Homecoming week.  The Badgers will host the Huskies in Ephraim Saturday.  Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. inside Terry Foote Stadium.  For video streaming and live stat information, visit snowbadgers.com.