ST. LOUIS, Mo. – After a promising start to the day, Missouri Baptist homecoming week ended with a disappointing 45-34 loss to 13th ranked Saint Xavier University Cougars on Saturday. John Lux and Isaiah King helped guide MBU to 512 yards and a lead before the offense dried up in the fourth.
 
The strong secondary of MBU kicked started the homecoming game with an interception off Alex Martinez. The Cougars ignored the early momentum and forced the Spartans to punt in three plays. They proceeded to score on their next drive on Justin Pringle's touchdown reception. The SXU point after attempt was blocked by Kenyon Perkins, keeping the score 6-0.
 
Newly acquired kicker Collin Black made his presence known with field goals on two of the next three Spartan possessions to tie the game at six.
 
The Cougars responded quickly with a touchdown pass from Alex Martinez at 11:26 remaining in the second quarter. This time Mike Iturbe's PAT was good, giving them a seven-point lead.
 
A few drives later, SXU had a chance to increase the lead but Iturbe's 53-yard field goal missed just left. John Lux connected with Isaiah King on the next play after the miss for a 64-yard touchdown pass to tie the game again.
 
Martinez had the visiting offense rolling on the ensuing drive until a forced fumble and 70-yard return from Rodney Smith put the Spartans at the Cougar 29. The Lux-King connection paired up for another touchdown, this time for 29 yards, to put the home team up 20-13.
 
With 5:02 remaining in the half, SXU drove back down the field for another score on a touchdown reception from Harold Davis.
 
The two teams continued to exchange blows throughout the rest of the game. The second half started the same way as the first but in the other direction. Ron Carroll picked off Lux's first throw of the second half. Nick Czeszewski put the ball in the end zone on the next play, restoring the SXU lead.
 
MBU quickly tied things again on a nine-play drive that was capped off by the third passing touchdown from Lux to King. Black continued his strong day as he drilled home the extra point.
 
Later in the quarter, the Spartans rode the momentum to another score to give them their second lead. Behind the arm of Lux, the Spartans marched their way to the SXU 21 where Morgan State transfer Darian Pollion reeled in a 21-yard touchdown pass.
 
Saint Xavier scored early in the fourth quarter and never relinquished their lead. The Spartans failed to find the end zone in the final frame as they watched the Cougars put up 18 points and take home a 45-34 victory back to Chicago.
 
King had a record-breaking day as he shattered his own single-game receiving yards record (176) with 241 yards and tied Quinton Kornegay's single-game touchdown receptions record with three. Lux also had a historical day as his 370 passing yards put him second on the single-game passing yards list. His four touchdowns are tied for the most.
 
Defensively, Donovan Baldwin led the way with 12 tackles, two tackles for a loss, and a sack. DaCorey McGee had a solid day with 13 tackles (five solo) and Michael Malone paired four tackles with an interception.
 
Missouri Baptist football continues on Saturday, November 2, in Joliet, Illinois to play Robert Morris University. Kickoff is scheduled for noon.