That doesn't mean he's giving up on his team moving forward, though. Far from it.

The Tritons suffered their sixth consecutive loss here Saturday, as Hutchinson Community College (Kan.) pulled away for a 38-0 victory inside Dodger Stadium.

The Blue Dragons (3-2 overall), who were ranked as high as sixth nationally before consecutive losses in the two prior weeks, churned out 417 rushing yards and forced five Iowa Central turnovers. Meanwhile, the Tritons were again unable to establish anything on the ground to counter Hutchinson's attack.

''If you can't run the ball, and you turn the ball over five times, you're not going to win. That's all there is to it,'' Twait said. ''I thought that for three quarters, our defense did a pretty good job. We gave up a few big plays here and there, but they (held serve). When we continue to put them in bad positions, though, eventually that dam is going to break.

''We're still fighting to get out of our own way, and a lot of little mistakes are adding up to one big problem. We have to execute with more consistency, and we have to stop being our own worst enemy.''

The Blue Dragons were perfectly content with whittling away the Iowa Central defense in the trenches. Hutchinson didn't attempt a single pass in the second half, and only put the ball in the air eight times total. Sixty-eight of its 76 snaps from scrimmage were running plays.

Freshman Otis Williams had 30 carries for 195 yards, while backfield mate Tre Griffin added 110 yards on 20 totes.

The Tritons lost three fumbles, tossed a pair of interceptions, and were flagged for 4th-and-short offside penalties twice on field goal attempts. Iowa Central quarterbacks Paul Campbell and Caleb Sieler were sacked seven times.

Isaiah Thomas caught five passes for 71 yards, and Darius Love had 42 yards on the ground. Ten different Iowa Central players recorded receptions, as Campbell and Sieler combined to throw for 147 yards. The Tritons managed only 26 net yards on 27 carries, though.

Jack Kallenberger and Xavier Graham recovered fumbles, and LaCale London came up with a sack.

Twait was adamant afterward about staying the course despite the adversity his squad has faced.

''No one wants to be in our position. Everyone wants that sweet taste of victory,'' Twait said. ''We have to keep plugging away and fix what we can. I'm not down on our guys at all. There is a lot of football left in front of us, and I wouldn't trade my young men for anyone.

''This isn't the time to start pointing fingers and give up on each other. We're not going to get this thing rolling back in the right direction by trying to survive as individuals. We're a team and a family, and we have to come together and solve this as a team and as a family.''

Iowa Central will get an extra day of preparation for its Homecoming contest, which is against Fort Scott at noon next Sunday inside Dodger Stadium.