LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – The University of Saint Mary football team tried to pull off the upset bid of (RV) Avila University Saturday afternoon, as they led for most of the game. But the Eagles took advantage of some costly turnovers by the Spires and were able to escape with a 39-31 road win.
Saint Mary now stands at 2-5 overall on the season.
Saint Mary put together one of its best first halves of the season against a well-balanced Avila team Saturday afternoon. After the Eagles started things off with a field goal, the Spires took the ensuing kickoff to the house when Domingo Dahn sprinted 89 yards for a touchdown. Later in the first quarter, the Spires went up 14-3 after the Spires forced a turnover and Jalil Grimes ran the ball in from one yard out. Both teams traded punches thereafter in the same period and the Spires led 21-10 heading to the second quarter.
Avila and Saint Mary would trade field goals in the second frame before the Eagles added another field goal to end the quarter and the Spires led by eight points at the half. After Avila cut the deficit to five points in the third quarter, the Eagles would get the ball back inside their own 10-yard line. A quick pass from Kyle DeOrio, would be sniped out by Hunter Patterson as he stepped in front of the pass and took it 11 yards for a touchdown – putting Saint Mary up 31-19.
The Spires led by 12 points going into the fourth quarter with things falling into place for the upset. Avila would add a touchdown one minute and a half into the fourth quarter, and later picked up another touchdown with 8:58 remaining after forcing a fumble by the Spires. Avila forced a second straight turnover on the next Spires' possession and led 39-31with six minutes left. The Spires drove down the length of the field on their final possession, getting the ball down to the Avila 10-yard line. Unfortunately, the Spires' drive stalled as they turned it over on downs in the end.
Grimes led the passing attack with 158 yards as well as the running game with 74 yards. Chol Ater had 49 receiving yards for Saint Mary and Jaxon Curtis posted a team-high 12 total tackles with 1.5 tackles for a loss.
Saint Mary will host McPherson College next Saturday at Berkel Memorial Stadium for a 1 p.m. kickoff.
