ST. LOUIS – Missouri Baptist University football kicks off its 12th season on Saturday night when the Spartans host Saint Ambrose University at 7 p.m. under the lights at Spartan Field. The opener will stream live on the Urban Edge Network and marks the program's third straight season opener at home under head coach Jason Burianek.
Game Notes | Live Stream | Live Stats
The Wait Is Over
SAU leads the all-time series 6–2, though MBU won the last meeting on Nov. 12, 2022, rallying for a 42–38 victory in Davenport, Iowa. The Spartans are 1–3 against the Fighting Bees at Spartan Field, with their last home win in the series coming on Sept. 23, 2017.
The Series
A win Saturday would give MBU back-to-back victories over SAU for the first time and its first home win in the matchup in eight years.
Season Openers
The Spartans are 1–10 in season openers under Burianek. Last fall, MBU dropped a 35–28 decision to Cumberland University at Spartan Field. This weekend marks the sixth home opener of Burianek's tenure.
Year Three in the Heart
Missouri Baptist enters its third season in the Heart of America Athletic Conference. After going 1–4 in its league debut in 2023, the Spartans improved to 3–3 in 2024 and are seeking the program's first winning record in Heart of America Athletic Conference play.
Players to Watch
- Lionel Banks (RB, Sr.) – Banks needs just 49 rushing yards to become the first player in program history to reach 2,000. He paced the Spartan ground game in 2024, rushing for 1,019 yards and 13 touchdowns.
- Jacob Jones (QB, So.) – Jones transfers to MBU after stops at South Alabama and Grambling State. He appeared in two games for Grambling in 2023, rushing for 47 yards against LSU. A Lexington, Ky., native, he threw for 2,400 yards and rushed for 1,700 as a senior at West Jessamine High School, earning a three-star rating from 247Sports.
- Calvin Griffin (RB, Jr.) – Griffin transfers from Southwest Baptist, where he appeared in 10 career games and totaled 27 kickoff returns for 612 yards (22.7 average) and one touchdown. In 2024, he played in nine games, averaging 23.1 yards on 23 returns, including a 98-yard touchdown, and added 51 rushing yards on eight carries. The Blue Springs, Mo., native is a graduate of Blue Springs High School.
- Nick Stepney (LB, Sr.) – The Spartans' leading returning tackler, Stepney recorded 61 stops last season while anchoring the MBU defense.
- Jaylon Williamson (CB, R-Sr.) – Williamson joins the Spartans after playing the 2024 season at Central Methodist, where he appeared in 10 games and recorded 34 tackles, six pass breakups and interceptions against Peru State and Missouri Valley. A transfer from Missouri Western prior to CMU, he is a Waynesville, Mo., native and Battle High graduate.
Veteran Presence: Gavin Claud
Redshirt senior wide receiver Gavin Claud returns in 2025 after missing last season with an injury. Claud has totaled 1,281 career receiving yards, along with 97 receptions and seven touchdowns, and will add veteran experience to the Spartans' offense.
Records to Watch
- 2,000-yard milestone – Senior running back Lionel Banks enters the season with 1,951 career rushing yards — just 49 away from making history as the program's first 2,000-yard rusher.
- Touchdown chase – Banks has 21 career rushing touchdowns. With two more, he will tie the all-time MBU record of 23.
From the Sideline
"We're going to put a great product out there, so we encourage fans to come out and support us. Bring the family — it'll be a great evening of college football in a fun atmosphere, and hopefully a great product to watch on the field." — Head Coach Jason Burianek
