ST. LOUIS – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist Football posted an early lead against the Taylor Trojans, but untimely turnovers cost the home team in a 41-13 loss on Saturday.

Missouri Baptist (0-5, 0-3 MSFA) started the game with a big opening drive. The Spartans went 70 yards on 12 plays, as Jordan Norwine kick-started the offense on an early first down pass. The Spartan quarterback found Cole Lema open for a 30-yard gain as MBU marched downfield and posted a 3-0 lead.

The MBU defense responded with a stop on the ensuing Trojan drive, but Taylor took a 7-3 lead moments later. Everett Pollard completed a seven-yard touchdown to Shawn Lashbrook and briefly gained the momentum.

With just 57 seconds remaining in the first quarter, Pollard recorded his second touchdown completion of the game. This time, it was a 22-yard toss to Andrew Sheard, and Taylor upped its lead to 13-7, after a missed extra point attempt by Austin Gunderson.

The Spartans began the second quarter with another scoring drive on its second possession. Jordan Norwine connected with Kalen Petty for a 21-yard gain, which set-up another field goal by Alex McGlassion, and MBU trailed 13-6.

Just prior to the end of the half, two thrilling defensive plays by both teams set the stage for an exciting finish for the opening 30 minutes. Conner Bomstad intercepted Pollard and took the ball 95 yards the other way, just shy of the goal line. Then, just as it looked as if MBU would enter halftime with at least an additional three points, Taylor returned the favor. The Trojans' Dovi Gamble picked-off Norwine and returned the ball 100 yards to the house, with just four seconds remaining, and sucked the life out of the home crowd.

Up 20-6 with two quarters left, the Taylor defense fed the offense. The Trojans posted three touchdowns, two off interceptions, in the third quarter alone, and pulled away.

Early in the fourth quarter, MBU notched its only touchdown of the game. Young Spartan signal-caller Jacob Hunt entered the contest and the New Berlin, Ill., native did not disappoint. Hunt provided the biggest offensive play of the game for the Spartans, as he connected with Kalen Petty for a 75-yard score to make it a 41-13 game with 11:19 remaining in the contest.

The Spartan offense looked very good at times on Saturday, and was reflected on the stat sheet. Norwine finished with 147 yards passing and a 57-yard completion, while Hunt was right on his heels. The freshman went 8-15 with 139 yards in the air and one touchdown, the first of his young career. In fact, the fourth-quarter strike was the longest pass completion in MBU history, though Norwine's 57-yard pass earlier in the game to Quinton Kornegay tied for second.

Maleek Ross, Henry Epenesa and Kevin Gude all recorded eight total tackles on the day, while Ross led that group with six unassisted. Epenesa recorded 3.5 tackles for a loss of 14 yards and Donvontae Johnson notched the lone MBU sack of the game.

The Spartans will now turn around and host the Lynx of Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) next Saturday back in the friendly confines of CBC High School. Kickoff is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.

GAME NOTES

Saturday's game tied an MBU record for most passes completed with 19. The other game that MBU posted that number was back on October 25, 2014 against Arizona Christian… The 286 yards of passing was the most in the short history of the program… The Spartans attempted 41 passes in the game, a new high for the team in its brief history. The previous record was set just a few weeks ago on Sept. 12, 2015 against Siena Heights (Mich.) when MBU tossed the ball 37 times.