Fighting Bees Send Coyotes Running Home
KWU lucky to have even scored.

The number nine nationally ranked St. Ambrose University Fighting Bees (1-0) stormed out to a 45-7 season opening victory over number 17 Kansas Wesleyan (0-1).  In a game where both teams were coming off playoff years, as well as graduating numerous NAIA All-American players… one team showed its depth while the other showed inexperience.  Brandon Adolphs had to fill the biggest shoes of them all and did a fine job of it.  Adolphs, replacing First Team NAIA All-American and Mid-States Football Association Conference Player of the Year Nathan Norman, rushed for 77 yards on 18 carries, scoring two touchdowns as well as grabbing a 42-yard touchdown pass from John McDowell.  McDowell had an all but flawless day completing 19 of 26 passes, amassing 277 yards.  McDowell threw for four touchdowns and did not throw a single interception. 

Defensive Coordinator Rich Wright and the Fighting Bee defense did not allow a touchdown or many yards for that fact (220 total yards allowed).  Mike Aussieker led the way with twelve total tackles and eleven of them assists while intercepting a Ryan Canfield pass and recovering a fumble.  Canfield, in his first year as a starter, showed his inexperience, only completing 16 of 36 passes for 129 yards, throwing 3 interceptions and fumbling the snap just as many times.  KWU’s Oscar Nero rushed for 65 yards on 18 carries and Derrick Denson grabbed seven of Canfield’s passes for 76 yards.

The Coyote special teams unit managed Kansas Wesleyan’s only score of the game, on a play which would have required an instant replay in the NFL.  The Fighting Bees were moving the ball down the field in the final minute of the first half when McDowell completed a pass to Andy Ford at the Coyote eight-yard line.  With few timeouts remaining, McDowell hurried the offense to the line and spiked the ball.  When he did, a flag was thrown for defensive offsides, which should have kept it at first-down.  McDowell then failed to complete a pass to Ford in the end zone on second down, which would have brought up third down.  After the Fighting Bees called their last timeout with 6.6 seconds remaining in the half, the down marker had changed from third to fourth down.  Sturdy questioned the call to no avail.  He sent out Mark Whitlock to attempt a field goal.  The field goal was blocked by Gary Freeman, who picked it up and ran all the way back for a touchdown to end the first half. 

The Fighting Bees special teams had their ups and downs.  Matt Walker highlighted the ups with a 96-yard punt return for a touchdown.  Josh Embretson showed his All-American abilities when he booted a 77-yard punt in the first half.  Mark Whitlock had a little bit of trouble finding the center of the uprights, making three of seven PAT’s and had his only field goal attempt blocked. 

The Fighting Bees viewed this as a positive and are anxious to improve on last years 0-3 start.  The Fighting Bees now look ahead to Tri-State University on Saturday, September 21 and hope to obtain their first victory against the Thunder after three failed attempts.  Tri-State has won the last two meetings in overtime.  The game is scheduled for 12:30 p.m. at Shive Field in Angola, IN.  The next Fighting Bees home game will be homecoming weekend, September 28 at 1:00 p.m. against the University of Wisconsin-River Falls at Brady Street Stadium. 

Series Results
[Tri-State leads 3-0]
2001   Tri-State  36        ST AMBROSE 29 overtime
2000   Tri-State  20        ST AMBROSE 14 overtime
1999   Tri-State  52        ST AMBROSE 44

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