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Morningside Handles Fighting Bees

SIOUX CITY, Iowa -- St. Ambrose did it two years ago. Saturday the 14th ranked Fighting Bees hoped to do it again, as they tried to defeat an undefeated opponent in the first round of the NAIA National Playoffs, just as they did the last time they made the postseason, when they beat MidAmerican Nazarene, 32-31 in 2003. They didn't have as good of luck on Saturday, falling to third ranked Morningside College, 58-7, ending an up-and-down season for the Fighting Bees.

Morningside scored early and often, getting on the board just one and a half minutes into the game on a 1-yard Tyler Childress run, his first of two TD runs on the day. Morningside is not known for their running game however, and it showed during the game. Quarterback Craig Fobbe had a career day for the Mustangs, connecting on 23 of 29 passes for 457 yards and six touchdowns. Three of Fobbe's TD's went to Deondre Johnson, who caught all three for over 50 yards. Johnson finished the game with nine catches for 287 yards.

This contest was just another game for Morningside, who's averaging 44 points per game this season, and over 500 yards of total offense, including 370 through the air. The Mustangs have scored at least 40 points in all but three of their games this season, and have only scored under 30 once.

SAU's offense on the other hand, couldn't get anything going all day. Quarterback Jeff Kietzman ended his career with a game he may want to forget. The senior from Park View, Iowa completed 18 of 34 passes for 108 yards, which is his lowest output of the season. Kietzman also threw five interceptions, which was just three less than he threw all season. Morningside out gained the Fighting Bees 628 yards to 193.

Morningside opened up a 37-0 lead at halftime, after scoring 27 points in the second quarter. The second half didn't look any better, as the Mustangs scored three times in the quarter, scoring 58 unanswered points to start the game. SAU's only score came early in the fourth quarter when Ryne Foster picked up a fumble and scampered 57 yards into the end zone to cap the scoring.

SAU finishes the 2005 season with an 8-3 mark, which is the most wins the school has had in three years. The Fighting Bees graduate seven seniors this year, but will try to reload and be ready to compete for another Mid-States Football Association Midwest division title in 2006.

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