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JOLIET, Ill. – The sixth ranked St. Ambrose Fighting Bees special teams have been more than special in every game this season. That didn’t change one bit in Saturday’s 41-0 win over the St. Francis (Ill.) Fighting Saints at Joliet Memorial Stadium. The win improved the Fighting Bees to 4-0 overall and 1-0 in MSFA Midwest play, while dropping the Fighting Saints to 1-4 and 0-1. With the win, the Fighting Bees have won nine of their last t10 games overall and are now 26-3 in the MSFA Midwest in the past four-plus seasons of play. The Fighting Bees averted being shut out in the first quarter for the third time in four games when kicker Matt Webster continued his outstanding kicking this season when he drilled a 22-yard field goal. He would later add a 26-yarder, his eighth of the season. Webster remains perfect on the season on field goals. He was also perfect on extra points, which he is 20-of-21 on the season and is averaging 11 points per game. The latter of the two field goals was set up by one of many miscues by the Fighting Saints offense. With just over three minutes remaining in the third quarter, freshman defensive back Matt Hunt snagged his second interception of the day. The first helped the Fighting Bees defense secure a shutout. With the Fighting Saints moving into Fighting Bees territory, their biggest drive of the day was stopped at the St. Ambrose 26-yard line. Fighting Saints quarterback Michael Hall dropped back to pass, but it was Hunt who snagged the pass at the 15-yard line. The Fighting Bees then ran out the first half clock and took a 24-0 lead into the break. That wasn’t all the freshman did on the day. He also had a fumble recovery on one of two mistakes made by the Fighting Saints punt team. Both mistakes were bad snaps that proved costly to the Fighting Saints. The first, which was recovered by Hunt at the Fighting Saints 13-yard line, put the Fighting Bees and running back Joe Schimmel in position to add to their 17-0 lead. On the first play after the botched snap, Schimmel rushed the 13 yards for the score. On the very next Fighting Saints possession, they traveled all the way to the Fighting Bees 42-yard line, but again, were forced to punt. And again, the snap was botched. This time, Brandin Smith picked up the loose ball for the Fighting Bees and scampered 47 yards for the touchdown. On the day, the Fighting Bees defense held the Fighting Saints to only 125 yards of total offense, and recovered two fumbles, picked off two passes, had nine sacks and 13 tackles for loss in the shutout. The offense was spread around once again, with just about everyone getting in on the action. Schimmel finished the day with 78 yards on 14 carries and two scores. Running back Larry Williams had 15 carries for 56 yards and a 3-yard touchdown run. Quarterback Jeff Kietzman completed 10-of-17 passes for 135 yards and J.T. Bucy completed 4-of-6 passes for 48 yards and a score. Six different receivers hauled in passes on the day with Joe DuPage heading the core with five receptions for 77 yards. Tight end Jason Lynch caught Bucy’s touchdown pass, a 23-yard score with 4:06 remaining in the game. The win propels the Fighting Bees into Saturday’s homecoming contest against 14th ranked Trinity International. Last season, the Trojans got their first ever win against the Fighting Bees with a 24-3 win in Deerfield, Ill. The Fighting Bees and Trojans were two of five teams who tied for the MSFA Midwest title last season. The Fighting Bees qualified for the 16-team NAIA playoff, the Trojans did not. The re-match is set to kickoff at 1 p.m. at Brady Street Stadium. Return to the Football Homepage |
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