Fighting Bees Set Up Showdown

By: Ryan Holtmann            St. Ambrose University Football Sports Information Director

November 9, 2002    5:10 p.m.

Although it is not a guarantee, the No. 15 St. Ambrose Fighting Bees (5-1, 7-2) will face off against the No. 3 McKendree Bearcats (6-0, 9-0) Saturday, November 16, after a 34-7 victory over the William Penn Statesmen (2-4, 4-6).  With a victory, the Fighting Bees will have a shot at the extra season as it is not a guarantee.  If they lose however, their season will be over.

It was a combination of Fighting Bees scoring on the day that led to the defeat of the Statesmen.  Leading the day though was Brandon Adolphs.  Adolphs rushed 17 times for 132 yards scoring twice as well as taking in three John McDowell passes for nine yards.

McDowell finished the day completing 17 of 31 passes for 192 yards, one touchdown and no interceptions.  McDowell found seven different receivers on the day.  Even holder Jeff Kietzman had a touchdown pass on the day.  

With the Fighting Bees facing a fourth down and seven yards to go, head coach Todd Sturdy sent in the field goal unit.  Kietaman would take the snap, as Mark Whitlock faked the kick, to roll out and find Ryan Antonik in the end zone for the score.  This putting the Fighting Bees up by a score of 27-0 after McDowell ran for the two-point conversion.  

Antonik finished the day with three receptions for 22 yards and a touchdown.  Leading the receiving core on the day were the "Joe's."  Joe Schimmel came away with five receptions and 56 yards and Joe DuPage grabbed four passes for 79 yards and a touchdown.  Schimmel also rushed 11 times for 81 yards including a 60-yard touchdown run.

The Fighting Bees defense did its job once again.  The kept the Statesmen out of the end zone until the fourth quarter after the game was much in hand.  Leading the defense was Chris Davies.  Davies came away with eight tackles (three assisted) including one for a loss.  

Lavill Figgs and Mike Aussieker combined for 13 tackles.  Figgs who ended up with seven (five assisted), two of which coming for a loss as well as a sack.  Aussieker ended up with six tackles (three assisted) on the day.  

Josh Embretson got back to his booming days as he booted a 65-yard punt on the day coming away with seven punts for 354 yards, averaging out to 50.6 yards per kick.  

Leading the Statesmen on the day was Tom Campos.  Campos was 7-for-20 throwing for 107yards, one touchdown and two interceptions.  Dona Carpenter rushed 15 times for 38 yards and Andy Stokes grabbed four of Campos' passes for 57 yards.

The Fighting Bees will return home to face off against the always heated rival of the McKendree College Bearcats.  The game is scheduled to kick off at 1:00 p.m. at Brady Street Stadium.  A preview of the game will be posted early on in the week.

Return to the Football Homepage