ADRIAN, Mich. – [BOX SCORE] After digging a 35-7 hole midway through the second quarter, Missouri Baptist's defense decided to take matters into its own hands. The Spartans recorded three interceptions, two taken back for touchdowns, but came-up just short to Siena Heights (Mich.) on Saturday, 42-35.
Missouri Baptist (0-2, 0-1 MSFA) went down 7-0 early, but tied the game on a big play by Kalen Petty. The Spartan tight end made a one-handed grab down the sideline, shed a tackle and took the ball 52 yards to the house to even the score early.
It was after that play, however, that things started to go south for Missouri Baptist. Quarterback Jordan Norwine fumbled on 3rd and 11, deep in the Spartan zone, which allowed the Saints to take the loose ball into the end zone and make it a 14-7 game.
On the next Missouri Baptist drive, Reggie Blackmon gave the home team a two-touchdown advantage. The senior from Ft. Wayne, Ind., returned a Tyler Hach punt 75 yards for the touchdown and put Siena Heights up 21-7.
The Spartan defense flashed moments of brilliance throughout the game, the first of which came at the beginning of the second quarter. The Saints went from 1st and Goal at the two yard line to 4th and Goal from the 25, thanks to a big defensive push. Siena Heights went for it and came-up short as Missouri Baptist recorded its first big stop of the game.
Siena Heights' passing attack continued to roll as the second quarter moved forward. The Saints built a 35-7 lead on the backs of passing touchdowns to Aaron Doriot and Damon Wright.
Midway through the second quarter, down by 28, the Spartans came alive as the half edged toward conclusion. Tradarius Burgess provided the spark MBU needed. The corner picked-off Nick Gilliam's pass toward the home sideline and took it back 33 yards to the end zone for the touchdown. Burgess was all over the field in the game and made several standout plays throughout Saturday's contest. He ended the day with five total tackles and the 33-yard interception return for a touchdown.
The Spartans opened-up the first half down by 21 and continued their assault of the Saints' offense. Maleek Ross and Kevin Gude both recorded sacks on the day while starting middle linebacker Shawn Geary was equally impressive. Geary finished the day with five tackles (two solo), a pass breakup and a tackle for a two-yard loss.
Ross, on the other hand, was a force on the edge for the Spartans. The leader in sacks a year ago for MBU put together an impressive performance with his athletic play.
Missouri Baptist's offense got things together in a hurry in the third quarter as the defense provided a big stop on fourth down. In the ensuing drive, the Spartans converted on two, 3rd and long situations on 20-yard passes to Dalton Barcom and Quinton Kornegay, which set-up 1st and Goal from the one yard line.
It took MBU just two tries to punch it in as Kalen Petty recorded his second touchdown of the game. The sophomore ran it in off the sneak and made it a 35-21 game with 7:31 remaining in the quarter.
The Spartan defense stepped-up once more, thanks to another big play by Eddie Calderon. On 3rd and five, back in their own zone, Gillam made his second major miscue of the game and was picked-off by Calderon, who returned it 54 yards all the way back for the touchdown. The sophomore transfer was the best defensive player on the field on Saturday and finished with two picks and 74 all-purpose yards.
After the interception return, MBU looked to be on the verge of tying the game, but an improbable play by new Saints quarterback Lucas Barner changed the dynamic of the contest.
On 2nd and 11, Barner ran into trouble, and just before getting tackled, dialed long distance and connected with a wide open Damon Wright on a 79 yard completion to extend the lead to 42-28.
With time running out and just minutes remaining, MBU mounted another touchdown drive. Norwine led the team to the Siena Heights 44 yard line, and after three unsuccessful passing attempts, put one final score on the books. The sophomore signal-caller dialed-up another touchdown pass to Kalen Petty, this one for 44 yards, and cut the deficit to seven once again. Though the completion would have secured a first down, Petty ran through the would-be tackler from Siena Heights and grabbed about 33 yards after the catch up the middle. He finished the day with 143 yards of receiving and three touchdowns.
Though the onside kick did not go in the Spartans' favor, the team looked impressive against the 2014 Mid-States Football Association Mideast Division Champions.
Missouri Baptist will head-out for part two of its three-game road swing on Saturday, Sept. 19 when they descend on Joliet, Ill., to take-on the Fighting Saints of University of St. Francis (Ill.). Game time is scheduled for 4:00 p.m.
