North Newton, Kan.— Bethel College answered USM's field goal with a 59-yard touchdown on its next offensive play, pulling away for a 35-24 victory over the Spires this evening at Thresher Stadium.
Saint Mary led 14-7 after the first quarter and was within four points late in the third, but Mcmillan's long touchdown reception with 31 seconds remaining in the quarter proved decisive.
The Threshers took advantage of an early interception to open the scoring on Norman's 6-yard touchdown pass to Mcmillan. The Spires responded with an 80-yard drive that
Kameron Smith finished with a 27-yard touchdown run.
Amari Akins then forced and recovered a Dubose fumble, returning it 11 yards to the Bethel 29.
Garrett Hunnicutt converted the takeaway into a 6-yard touchdown run, giving USM a 14-7 lead with 2:47 left in the first quarter.
Bethel moved back in front during the second quarter. Dubose scored on a 17-yard fourth-down run before Norman found Mcmillan for a 7-yard touchdown and a 21-14 advantage. Saint Mary answered again, driving 80 yards before Hunnicutt connected with
Keleb Pritchard for a 16-yard touchdown. That score sent the teams into halftime tied at 21.
Norman's 1-yard touchdown run capped a 12-play, 75-yard drive and put Bethel ahead 28-21 in the third quarter.
Teralle Watson quickly shifted the field with a 64-yard run to the Bethel 2, but the Spires settled for
Joshua Bingham's 21-yard field goal with 49 seconds left. Just 18 seconds later, Norman hit Mcmillan for the 59-yard touchdown that restored Bethel's 11-point margin. Norman finished 11-of-17 for 139 yards and three touchdowns, while Mcmillan caught five passes for 90 yards and three scores.
The Spires generated 446 yards of offense to Bethel's 384 and rushed for 230 yards, but three turnovers limited the Spires' production. Hunnicutt completed 14 of 32 passes for 216 yards and a touchdown while adding 20 rushing yards and a score. Watson led the ground game with 100 yards on 11 carries, and Smith produced 144 yards from scrimmage, including 84 rushing yards and 60 receiving yards. Pritchard caught three passes for 87 yards and a touchdown. The Spires also converted 10 of 18 third downs.
Akins led the defensive effort with eight tackles, two forced fumbles, a recovery and two tackles for loss.
Deante Nobles recorded a team-high nine tackles, while
Amir Akins added eight tackles and one tackle for loss. The Spires reached the Bethel 5 early in the fourth quarter, but Gilmore recovered a fumble to end the drive. Smiley later intercepted Hunnicutt at the Bethel 30 with 3:53 remaining, allowing Bethel to run out the clock and come up with the victory.
Coming Up…
USM will march on to prepare for next Saturday as they host the Tabor College Bluejays at Berkel Memorial stadium for homecoming weekend. Kick-off is set for 1 p.m.
