Bees Capitalize on Late Turnover

With 6:39 remaining in the game, the McKendree Bearcats trailed the Fighting Bees 21-14. The Bearcats marched the ball down the field 68 yards on a 7-play, three minute drive to tie the game at 21-21 with 3:36 to go. The Fighting Bees returned the kickoff to their own 29 yard-line for what looked to be the last possession of the game.

Then came the turnovers.

After a 3-yard rush by Vernon Reed, the Fighting Bees were near midfield with a first down. After two incomplete passes to Brett Van Hove, Jim DuPage was intercepted by Mike Harrison at the McKendree 47 yard line with 1:58 seconds remaining.

On the very next play, the SAU defense forced a Jacob Rohlman fumble and Andy Wulf recovered it at the McKendree 42.

St. Ambrose wasted no time going up top to receiver Brett Van Hove, who hauled in a 24-yard pass down the sideline to put the Bees inside the twenty. As the ball was in the air, Van Hove caught his leg on the turf and fell down but was still able to make the grab. He was injured on the play but made the catch to set-up the Bees scoring drive.

Following an eight yard pass to Kyle Korth, the Bees gave the ball to Vernon Reed for a six yard gain and a first down. Reed capped off the drive with a 4-yard touchdown run to put the Bees up for good 28-21 with just under 40 seconds remaining.

The Bearcats had their chance to tie it with a pair of Hail Mary passes that fell incomplete as time expired, giving the Bees a 28-21 victory.

To the start the game, the Fighting Bees took the early lead, posting 14 early points on two 1 yard touchdown runs by Vernon Reed. McKendree was able to answer by connecting on field goals of 30 and 25 yards to close the first half at 14-6 SAU.

SAU kicker Evan Gutierrez kicked deep into McKendree territory to start the second half, but Uhlon Rich returned it 40 yards to give the Bearcats excellent field position. With 9 rushes and 2 passes, the Bearcats were able to find the endzone on a 3 yard run by Uhlon Rich. Trailing 14-12, the Bearcats decided to go for two and converted a Loudenslager pass to Dominique Jones to tie it at 14 apiece.

The Fighting Bees brought in the nation's second ranked rush defense (48.6 yds/game) but ended up giving up 294 yards of rushing and only 51 yards of passing to the Bearcats.

Vince Filipp led the Bees with 5 solo and 4 assisted tackles. Dan Eble had 4 solo and 4 assisted with 1.5 tackles for loss.

Vernon Reed finished with another brilliant day, running for 135 yards and three touchdowns. Jim DuPage finished with 195 yards on 15-36 passing with on touchdown and two interceptions.

The Fighting Bees, now 6-0 overall and 5-0 in the MSFA, will head to Trinity International for a 1 p.m. kickoff.

Box Score