St. Ambrose shook off a slow start to hang with No. 6 Concordia (Mich.) for much of the second half before falling 34-14 Saturday afternoon at Brady Street Stadium.

Trailing 21-0, with just two total first downs, at the half, the Bee offense came alive with some big plays after the break.

First, late in the third quarter, Tom Casey connected with Yemi Ward on a 38-yard touchdown on a 4th-and-2 play to get St. Ambrose on the board (all videos below courtesy SAUtv, audio by David Meyer/KALA Radio).

The defense immediately forced a three-and-out and the offense capitalized. 

Cade Gorzny broke free for a 67-yard touchdown run down the sideline to pull the Bees to within a single score at 21-14 in the opening minutes of the fourth quarter.

Unfortunately, SAU was penalized after the play and forced to kickoff from their own 5-yard line. A 27-yard return gave the Cardinals (1-0) the ball on the Bee 35-yard line, and five plays later Concordia punched in touchdown to regain a 28-14 lead.

St. Ambrose marched into CU territory on its ensuing possession, but a sack halted momentum and ultimately forced a punt. The defense forced a punt with five minutes left, but a roughing the kicker penalty gave Concordia a first down. The Cardinals took advantage and scored a final touchdown inside the final minute to end the scoring.

Gorzny led the Bees with 120 rushing yards on 13 carries, most of that coming in the second half. T'Nahleg Hall was limited to just 24 yards on the ground on 16 attempts.

Casey completed 14 passes for 101 yards and the touchdown. Ward (45 yards), Hunter Thompson (20) and Sam Kerr each had three receptions.

Brody Mason had a team-leading nine tackles, including a sack. He also had an interception in the endzone late in the first half.

Nick Daniel was credited with eight tackles, Ethan Miebach had six and Drew Ackman finished with five.

Jackson Hunsicker averaged more than 44 yards on his nine punts in the loss.

The Bees will hit the road for the first time next Saturday when they wrap up non-conference play with a game at Lawrence Tech.