LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary football team forced five turnovers on defense and defeated Bethany College, 30-19 at Berkel Memorial Stadium Saturday afternoon. The win snapped a five game losing streak for Saint Mary.

The Spires are now 2-5 on the season and in the KCAC.

GAME FLOW
Bethany scored first with 12:43 left in the first quarter, as Isaiah Salazar found Jafar Thomas for an 18-yard touchdown pass on a seven play drive. The Spires then scored 27 unanswered points beginning with a two-yard run from Demontrel Wilson with 8:59 left in the first quarter. Rhyler Estenbaum would add an 11-yard touchdown run with 3:48 left giving the Spires a 14-7 lead.

Midway through the second quarter, Drew Cortez found Michael Brown for a 21 yard touchdown to give Saint Mary a 21-7 lead. The Spires defense would end a Swedes' drive before halftime as a pass from Austin Denson was picked off by Carlos Delgado.

Saint Mary would add another touchdown on a one-yard run from Wilson early in the third quarter. The Spires defense would hold Bethany scoreless for a second consecutive quarter – taking a 27-7 lead after three quarters. The Swedes would score a touchdown two minutes into the fourth quarter, before the Spires added a field goal to take a 30-13 lead with 7:05 left in the game.

Bethany added one more touchdown with 5:28 left, but their comeback would stall as the Spires came out victorious.

KEY STATISTICS

• Holmes added two interceptions to give him seven for the season.
• The Spires had three total rushing touchdowns.
• Saint Mary had six total sacks, led by two apiece from Jon Cereceres and Solomon Nwanko.

HEAD COACH JAY OSBORNE QUOTES:
"I am proud of the resolve of this team. They showed a great deal of composure. We made the plays that needed to be made today. I believe this win will help us grow as a team."

WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
Saint Mary will travel to Wichita, Kan. to play against Friends University on Oct. 27. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.