ST. LOUIS – Playing at home in each of its first two contests, the Missouri Baptist University football team will now hit the road for its first away game of the 2018. The first road game won't be an easy one for the Spartans as they head to Chicago to take on Saint Xavier University, which was ranked No. 6 in the 2018 NAIA Football Coaches' Preseason Top 25 Poll. Both squads enter Saturday at 0-2 and in search of their first win.

Kickoff for the game under the lights is set for 6 p.m. CT. Saint Xavier University will be providing live statistics as well as a live video broadcast that can be found at https://portal.stretchinternet.com/sxu/. 

In 2017, SXU won the first-ever meeting between the two teams with a dominating 48-13 victory. The Cougars jumped out to a quick 28-0 lead and it wasn't until the 1:39 mark in the second quarter that the Spartans got on the board and avoided the shutout. Then-sophomore quarterback Alex Martinez guided Saint Xavier on offense torching the MBU secondary for 346 passing yards and 6 TDs. The Cougars also added 204 yards on the ground for a grand total of 562 yards offense. Meanwhile, the MBU offense eclipsed 300 yards behind a 14-carry, 75-yard performance from RB Kendell Davis and 122 yards through the air for Chase Brown (16-of-25, 2 TDs).

A Quick Look at the Spartans

• The Spartan defense continues to receive the most fanfare as it ranks among the NAIA's top 25 in total sacks (12th), total defense per game (17th) and pass defense per game (23rd).
• Through two games, the Spartan defense has caused five turnovers (2 FUM, 3 INT) ; last week vs. Siena Heights, MBU's D came up with a fumble and a pair of interceptions.
• Offensively, the Spartans may turn to a two-running back system with Kendell Davis, who holds several MBU rushing records, and Chris Baldwin, who debuted last week with 16 carries for 60 yards and a touchdown vs. Siena Heights.

Scouting the Saint Xavier Cougars

• Last season, the Cougars won the Mid-States Football Association's Midwest League championship, their 8th conference title and first outright championship as members of the Midwest League.
• In last week's game vs. NCAA FCS Illinois State University, Saint Xavier struggled to move the ball on offense managing just 30 yards on 58 plays. The Cougars were consistently stopped in the backfield, rushing 35 times for -30 yards.
• The Cougars have had a top-five scoring offense in the MSFA over each of the past four seasons, averaging 33.6 points per game in that period.