BOURBONNAIS, Ill. – [BOX SCORE] Missouri Baptist set a new record in team sacks in the first half of Saturday's contest against Olivet Nazarene (Ill.). Despite the strong effort of the defensive line, however, the Spartan offense was unable to get enough momentum in a 34-20 loss to the Tigers.

Missouri Baptist (2-5) dropped a tough game on the road, but put together outstanding numbers on the defensive side of the ball in the first half. The defensive line, led by Maleek Ross' five sacks on the day, put together a historical day. The Spartans captured new records for both sacks with 15 and for tackles for a loss with 18. Ross, by himself, was responsible for 4.5 tackles for a loss of 35 yards and two forced fumbles.

Olivet Nazarene capitalized on an unfortunate special teams miscue in the second quarter to post the game's first touchdown. After a botched fair catch from a Tiger punt, Jordan Lawton found Alvin Best in the back corner of the end zone on a scramble throw to make it 7-0 for the home team. 

Olivet extended that lead just one minute later. Victims of another turnover, the Spartans gave the ball back to the Tigers after just one offensive play, and they took full advantage yet again. This time, it was Lawton to Rashaan Gaymon on another roll out pass on the run to extend the lead.

A midhandled snap on the point after following the touchdown, however, kept the score at 13-0.

With time clicking down in the half, the Spartans rallied for 10 quick points before intermission. Billy Ritchey led his team on an eight play, 65-yard march to paydirt, thanks in large part to a 34-yard touchdown connection to Kalen Petty, and made it 13-7.

The Spartan defense came up big on the following Tiger drive and forced a turnover with just over a minute on the clock, and gave Missouri Baptist the ball deep in Olivet territory. Ethan Metzler booted a 35-yard field goal to cap the drive and Missouri Baptist entered halftime down 13-10.

After the half, however, things went south for the Spartans. Missouri Baptist allowed 21 points by the Tigers, complete with two more touchdowns from the freshman signal caller, Lawson, and put together its second win in a row.

The Tigers came out in the third quarter and quickly made a statement in the first to drives. Olivet posted two touchdowns on the following two drives and extended its lead to 27-10 with just over six minutes remaining in the quarter.

After a 25-yard field goal from Metzler toward the end of the third quarter cut the deficit to 27-13, Olivet Nazarene put one more tally on the board just seconds into the final 15 minutes, and made it 34-13.

The Spartans continued to make headway toward getting back into the game, but the Tiger defense made several key plays down the stretch to prevent Missouri Baptist from the end zone.

In addition to Ross' big day, fellow linemen Dominic Aguirre and Chandler Anderson both had significant days. Anderson finished with four sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss. Aguirre, on the other hand, had three sacks and 2.5 tackles for a loss.

On the offensive end, the day belonged to running back Austin Schultz. The Colorado native finished with 108 yards on the ground, a new career high.

Missouri Baptist will now head back home for homecoming on Saturday, October 22, 2016 when the team welcomes Saint Ambrose (Iowa) to CBC Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 2:00 p.m.