Principia College wide receiver Luis Howes was left off the Panthers’ roster for Saturday’s game at Haskell Indian Nations University.

HINU first-year coach Eric Brock probably wishes Howes had been left in Elsah, Ill.

On a day when each team’s offense was sloppy especially the Fightin’ Indians’, which generated less than 75 yards for the second straight week Howes provided 114 yards receiving in the first 15 minutes and all the highlights Principia needed for a 24-6 victory against Haskell on Saturday in the Indians’ home opener at Haskell Stadium.

“Big plays were the difference in the game,” said Brock, whose team fell to 0-2 on the season. “Those two big plays, and that was it. We didn’t give them a wink after that.”

Haskell didn’t have to the damage was done.

On Principia’s third play from scrimmage, quarterback Chris Girbes-Pierce hit a wide-open Howes down the right sideline for a 42-yard touchdown strike.

Haskell had its only score nearly 10 minutes later when Martin Woods jumped in front of Howes, picked off Girbes-Pierce’s pass and took it 37 yards for the score. The Indians missed the extra point and would not come within 30 yards of the end zone the rest of the game.

After trading punts, the Panthers got the ball back and went right back to Howes, who caught a pass and wasn’t brought down until the Haskell 3-yard line.

Two plays later running back Shawn Brown plunged in from two yards out for a 14-6 advantage.

By halftime, Haskell had accumulated only 34 total yards and by the game’s end just 22 more, including a negative seven-yard effort on the ground.

“It was a very tough day offensively, we couldn’t execute a lick,” Brock said.

“I don’t know why. It was not any different in practice this week. I don’t know whether they got flustered because it was a home game or what.”

Principia 24, Haskell 6

Principia (2-0) 14 0 3 7 24

Haskell (0-2) 6 0 0 0 6

Principia Luis Howes 42 pass from Chris Girbes-Pierce (Ben Wann kick)

Haskell Martin Woods 37 interception return (kick failed)

Principia Shawn Brown 2 run (Wann kick)

Principia Wann 21 FG

Principia Andrew Price 20 interception return (Wann kick)