Football | Weaver, Loyola cruise past Evanston

By Bob Hurst
Special to the Tribune
10:34 p.m. CDT, August 26, 2011

Loyola's experienced offense scored early and often in the first half of the season opener at Evanston on Friday night.

The No. 4 Ramblers scored on five of their first six possessions and breezed to a 40-0 win over the Wildkits. Quarterback Malcolm Weaver threw three touchdown passes in the opening half, two going to Charlie Dowdle from 24 and 33 yards out.

The Ramblers (1-0) outgained Evanston 296 yards to 62 in the opening two quarters.

Weaver was effective through the air, going 11-for-15 for 128 yards before giving way to backup Peter Pujals in the second half. Weaver lofted a 24-yard pass to Dowdle in the right corner for a touchdown and 13-0 lead with 5:03 left in the first quarter. He found Dowdle for a 33-yarder on a post pattern with 7:58 left in the second for a 20-0 advantage.

"A lot of jump balls, he's going to go get it," Weaver said of Dowdle. "I expected us to come out here and have a fast-paced offense. We kept the ball moving and executed well."

Player of the game: Malcolm Weaver, Loyola, 11-for-15, 128 yards, 3 TDs.  read more >>

Malcolm Weaver was the QB for the TEAM ILLINOIS 7on7 spring all-star travel team.

The Ramblers (1-0) outgained Evanston 296 yards to 62 in the opening two quarters.