KANSAS CITY, Mo. – The University of Saint Mary football team faced off against Avila University in the KCAC ESPN3 Game of the Week. Avila came into the game receiving votes in the NAIA Top 25 Poll at 3-0 overall. The Spires were faced with an uphill battle – falling behind early and would slip to the Eagles 67-28.
The Spires are now 1-2 on the season and in the KCAC.
GAME FLOW
Avila took a quick 14-0 lead with 9:32 remaining in the first quarter and would add another touchdown with 3:35 left. Saint Mary struggled to move the ball in their first three possessions, but cashed in early in the second quarter when Demontrel Wilson scored a three-yard touchdown.
Avila's offense continued to keep their foot on the gas pedal and would score two more touchdowns before the half – leading 40-7. The Spires opened the third quarter collecting two solid drives that resulted in touchdowns. Drew Cortez found Bryan Barnhart for a 15-yard score, before launching a 56-yard pass downfield to Jordan Hill. The touchdowns helped Saint Mary cut into the deficit, trailing 40-22 with 8:31 left in the period.
The Eagles offense however, continued to roll as they answered with three straight touchdowns with the last one coming three minutes into the fourth quarter. Saint Mary tried to put drives together, but Avila's defense put any momentum for the Spires to a halt. Cortez would throw his third touchdown pass of the game with 11 seconds left to Michael Brown, but the Eagles came away with the win.
KEY STATISTICS
- Cortez threw for 236 yards and had three touchdowns.
- Nicholas Holmes picked off his fifth pass of the season, which leads the nation.
- Avila accumulated 510 total yards of offense, compared to 348 for Saint Mary.
- The Spires had 112 yards on the ground, led by Rhyler Estenbaum's 37 yards.
WHAT'S AHEAD FOR THE SPIRES
Saint Mary will return to Berkel Memorial Stadium on Sept. 29 for their annual homecoming game against Sterling College. Kickoff is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.
