The University of Saint Mary Spires faced a tough start to their season with a challenging match up against Evangel (MO) Valor on August 30, 2025, at Charles J. Berkel Memorial Stadium Leavenworth, Kan.

During the first half, the Spires struggled to contain the offensive aggression of Evangel, falling behind with a halftime score of 34-7. Key contributions for the Spires included a 21-yard touchdown pass caught by senior Michael Gazzana. For Evangel, the game was highlighted by Eric Williams, who scored a touchdown with a 16-yard pass from quarterback Reid Potts that set the momentum for the visiting team.

The second quarter saw another burst of action as Kameron Smith of Saint Mary delivered an impressive 73-yard touchdown rush, showcasing his agility and speed. Despite these efforts, the Spires were unable to gain a lead. Evangel's Eric Williams continued his dominant performance, adding a 59-yard rush touchdown in the third quarter which further widened the gap between the teams.

Freshman running back Kameron Smith accumulated 151 rushing yards and scored one touchdown, while his teammate Michael Gazzana added 72 receiving yards to his name. From the Evangel side, standouts included Eric Williams with 192 rushing yards and two touchdowns, and Reid Potts, who threw for 272 passing yards and three touchdowns across the game.

The Spires are gearing up for their next confrontation against the Ottawa Braves, scheduled for September 6, 2025, in Ottawa, Kansas with a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.