LEAVENWORTH, Kan. – On Saturday evening in Leavenworth, Kan., the No. 6-ranked Southwestern College football team did battle against the much-improved University of Saint Mary Spires. In a game where neither offense could get into much of a rhythm, the Moundbuilders leaned on their defense and special teams to provide the needed boost to earn their third straight victory to open the season. It was a 32-14 final when all was said and done, as the Builder "D" forced four second-half turnovers and the special teams units blocked a punt for a touchdown, as well as a field goal in the game.

The game opened with a first quarter that was completely dominated by both defenses, as neither side was able to eclipse 50 yards of offense in the first frame. The first eight drives of the game ended either in a punt or a turnover on downs.

In the second quarter, the Builders benefitted from a blocked punt by Travon Crockett that he then returned for a TD to put the Moundbuilders up 7-0 on the first drive of the second quarter by USM. Then, after three more punts, Southwestern finally scored three offensive points on a 23-yard field goal by Gabriel Medrano to make it 10-0 with just over 10 minutes to play in the opening half. Saint Mary would counter with their two most impressive possessions of the battle, though, as after a 69-yard TD rush, the Builders would go three-and-out, which led to another long TD run of 71 yards to quickly make it a 14-10 deficit for Southwestern. After a punt by both sides, the Builders would finally find their way into the endzone on offense with a 53-yard bomb to Andre Jones from Thomas Yam that set up a touchdown on a QB sneak by Yam from a yard away to make it 17-14 at the break.

The third quarter was an absolute disaster for the Spires, as their first play from scrimmage to start the half was fumbled and recovered by SC. Southwestern would have to settle for a field goal, going up 20-14 early in the third frame. Then, the second play of USM's next drive resulted in an interception by Drew Smith, leading to another Builder field goal from Medrano. The 23-14 lead made it a two-possession lead for the Moundbuilders. Then, after Saint Mary ripped off a long passing play but could not get the ball into the endzone, they settled for a field goal try. That would not go as planned for the Spires, as the kick was blocked and recovered by Riley Havird, who took it all the way back to the USM 27 yard-line. Following the return, Andre Jones would connect with Yam again, as a 24-yard TD strike put the Builders up 30-14 in the latter stages of the third quarter. Saint Mary would begin to drive the ball down the field again on their next possession but then Taveon Williamson picked off the Saint Mary QB to give the Builders another opportunity. Unfortunately, it was another punt for the Moundbuilders, but Medrano would pin the Spires at their own one yard-line after his kick was downed by Caden Buoy. The first play by USM was a run that did not get out of the endzone and resulted in a safety. The 32-14 score would hold until the final whistle, as there was very little action in the final quarter.

Neither side had a good offensive showing, as they were both under 300 yards of total offense in the matchup, but on defense and special teams, Southwestern was clearly the better squad in this one.

Yam ended up being the top passer for the Builders, though he came in in relief of Brad Cagle. Yam posted 100 yards through the air and a touchdown to A. Jones. He was 6-of-14 passing in the tilt.

Martez Jones II rushed 11 times in the game for 52 yards, as he was the top option on the ground in this game for Southwestern and provided the squad a spark. Yam had four attempts on the ground for 24 yards and a score on the QB keeper up the gut.

It was a nice effort from A. Jones in the battle, as he tallied four catches for 103 yards and a trip to pay dirt. He was Yam's go-to target when he entered the game, and certainly provided the playmaking needed to earn enough points for the Moundbuilders to win this one.

Defensively, Smith and Williamson grabbed picks, while Will Hilton picked up a loose fumble. Additionally, Markeese Jones and Shane Rodriguez each tallied a single sack in the bout. The team racked up an out-of-this-world 11 tackles for loss, as Josh Carter (3), D. Smith (1), M. Jones (2), Cameron Cornelius (1.5), Darren Hicks Jr. (0.5), Hilton (1), Tylor Morehead (1) and Rodriguez (1) were involved in that statistic.

Medrano had an outstanding day that may net him Kansas Collegiate Athletic Conference (KCAC) Special Teams Player of the Week for the second straight week. He knocked through three field goals (23, 32, 23) and three PAT's. Meanwhile, he punted the ball beautifully, as well. He had eight punts for 318 yards, which totals an average of 39.8 yards per punt. He downed two of his punts inside the 20 yard-line and one of them at the one yard-line, which resulted in a safety on the following play. He also had four touchbacks on six kickoffs.

While Southwestern (3-0, 3-0 KCAC) was not at their best on offense, they will have a week to prepare for the Avila University Eagles on Saturday, September 24 at 6 p.m. at Richard L. Jantz Stadium in Winfield, which will be their biggest test yet this season. The team can look at the dominance displayed by their defense and special teams as great signs going forward.

--buildersports.com--