ST. LOUIS – [Final Stats] The Spartans got off to a great start on Saturday, but a few missed opportunities and some special teams miscues cost them as they fell to the Lynx of Lindenwood-Belleville, 44-6. 

The Spartans, who fell to 0-5 in their inaugural season, held the Lynx (1-4) scoreless in the first quarter and only gave up 14 points in the first half. 

The Spartans special teams missed a chance to gain an early lead in the first quarter by missing a field goal after going 69 yards on the opening drive. Then, later in the second quarter, the Spartans had a punt blocked that gave the Lynx a short field and a quick touchdown.

The Spartans offense finished the first half with a bang, going 93 yards on 13 plays topped off by a 6-yard TD pass from DeMarco Billups to Cole Lema, which cut the Lynx lead to 16-6 (missed PAT) going into halftime.

The Lynx offense proved to be too much for the Spartans in the second half, though, as they punted only once and produced touchdown drives of 68, 86, 87, and 37 yards, respectively.   

Demarco Billups paced the offense for the Spartans as he threw for 138 yards on 14 completions and ran for an additional 58 yards. While Maleek Ross had productive day for the defense, recording a sack and 2 TFL (tackles for loss). Ross, a freshman DE from Woodbridge, Mo, has now recorded 23 tackles this year.

The Spartans will travel to Boliver, Mo. next weekend to take on the Southwest Baptist Bearcats. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00pm.