News

Slow Start Doesn't Phase Fighting Bees

DAVENPORT, Iowa -- St. Ambrose came out of the gates in Saturday's 35-3 victory over St. Francis (Ill.) looking like they would dominate the Fighting Saints, but it wasn't as easy as the final score indicated. The Fighting Bees took their first two drives of the game into the red zone, but after a fourth down incompletion and a blocked field goal, SAU had zero points to show for it at the end of the first quarter.

"We moved the ball well in the first half, but we also had some penalties and some goofy things go on that took us out of a couple drives," coach Todd Sturdy said.

Five minutes into the second quarter, SAU was finally able to capitalize on a long drive. Jeff Kietzman hit Nic Gieselman for a 15 yard touchdown pass, which capped off a nine play, 74 yard possession, putting St. Ambrose in front for good, 7-0, which was the score as the two teams headed to the locker rooms for halftime.

"Being a young team, you never know how you're going to respond in every situation," Sturdy said, "We went into half, only up 7-0, and it has to be in the back of the player's minds that they blew a lot of opportunities and they had themselves a ball game."

St. Ambrose came out in the second half, appearing to be a more focused team. Kietzman extended the Fighting Bees lead to 14-0 on a one yard quarterback sneak, finishing off a 91 yard drive.

"I was proud of how they responded in the second half. It says a lot about their character. They came out and didn't let the first half get to them," Sturdy said.

Later in the third quarter, Kietzman threw his second TD of the game, hitting leaping Brandin Smith in the back of the end zone.

Smith had been injured earlier in the contest, but came back to catch that TD, only to injure his shoulder again on that play, adding to the growing list of offensive players for the Fighting Bees, who weren't able to play at full strength.

"For a while, I didn't know if we'd have any players left," Sturdy said, "(Tight end) Chris Burhans was already playing hurt, and (fullback) Steve Parker has been injured, then (receivers Tim) Turkowski and Smith went down."

SAU was able to fight through the injuries and tough it out, scoring twice more in the fourth, on another Kietzman sneak, and a 2 yard run by Tyler Driscoll, who had a great day, finishing with 163 yards on 29 carries.

"Tyler ran hard today and had a great game for us, and Jeff had an awfully good day as well, making great decisions out there, which led to some big plays," Sturdy said.

Kietzman finished with 239 yards on 24 of 34 passing and also ran the ball six times for 17 yards. The offense was once again complemented by the Fighting Bee defense, who allowed 189 total yards to the Fighting Saints, and had a shutout going until SFU kicked a field goal with four minutes remaining in the game.

"Defensively, they played lights out once again," Sturdy said, "(Defensive coordinator Mike) Magistrelli has done a great job with those kids."

This win puts St. Ambrose at 4-0 and gives them their first conference win of the season, which only builds confidence for a young team, such as the Fighting Bees.

"Going into the season, you'd love to be 4-0, so we're happy," Sturdy said, "We got better today as a football team. Every step we take, I think we get better."

SAU goes on the road next week to face Trinity International in Deerfield, Illinois. Kickoff is set for 1:00 p.m.

Return to the Football Homepage