DAVENPORT, Iowa – The Missouri Baptist University football team came on strong in the second half and scored the final 14 points of the game, but it wasn't enough to overtake Saint Ambrose University on Saturday afternoon at Brady Street Stadium. The Fighting Bees avoided a Homecoming Game letdown and edged the Spartans, 25-20, in what turned out to be another down-to-the-wire finish like 2017.
 
With the loss, Missouri Baptist drops to 1-4 overall, while the Fighting Bees recovered from a 60-14 defeat last weekend to No. 1-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.) and moved to 3-1 on the year.
 
In comparing the two team's final stats, the Spartans outplayed Saint Ambrose in nearly every facet of the game: first downs (20 vs. 18), rushing yards (164 vs. 122), passing yards (237 vs. 192), takeaways (2 vs. 0), 3^rd-down conversions (9-of-21 vs. 1-of-7), 4^th-down conversions (2-of-3 vs. 0-of-1), and most notably, time of possession (40:45 vs. 19:15).
 
The difference maker for the Fighting Bees was field position. On three of the four SAU touchdown drives, the Fighting Bees had a short field to work with and capitalized on it. On the flip side, Missouri Baptist had three trips to the redzone early on that didn't result in a touchdown. The Spartans made it to the SAU 5-, 9- and 8-yard line and only converted the three trips into six points.
 
Despite the redzone shortcomings and several costly penalties throughout the game, there were also stretches of brilliance on offense, defense and special teams for head coach Jason Burianek's squad. The team continues to protect the ball on offense and force turnovers on defense.
 
Offensively, senior quarterback Gunnar Griffin spread the love connecting with eight different players in the receiving game, while Chris Baldwin logged his second straight 150+ rushing yard game. On special teams, Kenyon Perkins and D.J. Johnson each blocked an extra point, and disrupted enough on a third to make the Fighting Bees go 1-for-4 on PATs for the day.
 
Through five games, the Spartans are +8 in turnover margin, with another interception and fumble recovery on Saturday in Davenport, Iowa. In the first quarter, Dacorey McGee knocked the ball loose from SAU receiver Tanner Champley with Michael Malone jumping on it for the first takeaway. In the third quarter, Malone was at it again intercepting Jake Romani and returning it 36 yards to the SAU 16-yard line.
 
With such great field position, the Spartans made sure to capitalize on the Fighting Bees giveaway. Plays of 3, 3, and 5 yards gave MBU a first down and 1^st and goal from the 5. Chris Baldwin scored his fourth rushing touchdown of the year and narrowed the gap to 25-13.
 
In the fourth quarter, the Spartans were once again knocking on the door in large part due to a monster 44-yard gain on the ground by Chris Baldwin. Baldwin's longest rush of the season gave the Spartans what they needed to make it a one-possession ballgame. Inside the 2-yard line, MBU was called for a 5-yard illegal shift penalty, which made it a little more difficult for the Spartan offense, however, a key 4^th-and-6 was successful as Gunnar Griffin connected with Isaiah King in the endzone for King's fourth TD reception of the year.
 
Following the King score, the defense came through in the clutch with a huge 3-and-out, giving Missouri Baptist at least one opportunity to pull off the comeback. Starting at their own-15, the Spartans managed to cross the 50-yard line, but didn't have enough juice left in the tank to stage a game-winning drive.
 
Saturday's offensive leaders included quarterback Gunnar Griffin (27-for-46, 237 yards, 1 TD, 0 INT), RB Chris Baldwin (31 att., 168 yards, 1 TD) and Isaiah King (6 rec., 92 yards, 1 TD). Other notable performances included two-sport athlete Roosevelt Henderson with 5 catches for 42 yards, Dominic Demerath with 5 receptions for 37 yards and Cam Cosey (4 rec., 35 yards).
 
Linebacker Collin Thomas paced the team in tackles (7) and defensive lineman LaMarcus Goodwin led the way in tackles for loss (2.5). Dacorey McGee had a stellar outing with six tackles (5 solo), one sack and one forced fumbled, while Michael Malone was equally impressive with five solo tackles, a fumble recovery, an interception and a pass breakup.
 
Up Next
MBU has a bye week on Sept. 29 and will return to action on Oct. 6. The Spartans will look to rebound and move to .500 in conference as they host MSFA foe Lindenwood University-Belleville at CBC High School at 1 p.m.