Leavenworth, Kan.-In a tough back-and-forth offensive battle, the Spires dropped a home contest to the Bethel College Threshers in heartbreaking fashion, 37-38.  

The game was tightly contested all afternoon with the first half showing quarterback Erick Covington connecting with Michael Gazzana with a 75-yard touchdown pass taking place in a mere 47 seconds. Covington would go on to find senior wide receiver Aidan Duhon in the end zone, and haul in two TD's himself all before halftime, heading to the locker room up 28-21against the Threshers.  

The Spires also saw significant contributions from freshman Kameron Smith, who not only rushed for 71 yards but also secured a touchdown. Covington's impressive all-round performance involved 205 yards thrown, two touchdowns, and a couple of rushing touchdowns helped keep the Spires ahead and excited. On the defensive end, Wyatt Ramsey was a standout with 17 tackles and 4 tackles for loss, while Michael Graham added an interception return of 26 yards to the defensive efforts.

However, the closing moments of the game were pivotal as Bethel's Houston Herrin connected with Trevon Madison for a 9-yard touchdown pass. This play occurred with just six seconds remaining, ultimately swinging the lead to Bethel at 38-37. This last-minute score by Bethel concluded the game dramatically, marking a tough loss for the Spires.

Looking ahead, the Spires shift their focus on the road. USM will travel to Hillsboro, Kansas to take on the Tabor College Bluejays on Saturday, October 4^th with a 1:00 p.m. kick-off.