Sarah Hawbaker
Lindsborg News Record

The Bethany College football Swedes suffered their third-straight loss Saturday. The Swedes were defeated 20-34 by University of Saint Mary in Leavenworth, falling to 1-3 in the KCAC and 2-4 overall.

Overall, Head Football Coach Jamie Cruce thought his team played hard.

"We are young on the offensive line and in the secondary," Cruce said. "As those two areas continue to gain experience, we feel we will improve as a team," he added.

Both teams put seven on the board in the first quarter. But it was USM who took the lead in the second quarter with two TD's. With about a half second to go in the first half Bethany tacked on another TD. But a missed PAT made it 13-21 Spires with two quarters left in the game.

While the Swedes managed to score another touchdown in the third quarter, this time with a good PAT, the Spires added 13 to extend the lead.

Neither team would score in the fourth quarter.

As a team Bethany tallied 339 total offensive yards to Saint Mary's 419. Just 48 Swede yards were on the ground.

Darby House was 24 for 39 and threw for 263 yards and one TD. Brandon Martino chalked up 129 receiving yards with 11 receptions and one trip to the end zone.

James Johnson managed 72 yards on nine receptions while D'Andre Thompson had 64 yards on four receptions.

Oscar Segura and Taylor Stull each had interceptions.

On defense Stull tallied 10 total tackles while William Sanchez had nine.

"We will continue to work on getting better each day as well as keeping a positive attitude," Cruce said. "We had some individuals play very well and we will look to build on that this week as we face an extremely tough Tabor team."

The Swedes host Tabor College for Homecoming weekend Oct. 13 at 1:30 p.m.

Currently in the KCAC there is a four-way tie for second place between Friends University, Tabor College, McPherson College and Ottawa University, each team at 3-1 in conference play. Kansas Wesleyan University holds the top position at 4-1. Southwestern College is 2-2 while University of Saint Mary is 2-3. The Swedes are 1-3. Both Bethel College and Sterling College remain winless at 0-4 in the KCAC and 0-5 overall.