It wasn't a Senior Day to remember for the Bees.

St. Ambrose allowed nearly 500 yards of total offense while finishing with less than 200 yards themselves in a 40-13 loss to No. 14 Saint Xavier Saturday afternoon at Brady Street Stadium.

The teams were tied at 6-6 early in the second quarter, with SAU not capitalizing enough on its first-quarter opportunities.

Tom Gillen gave the Bees a fast 3-0 lead, kicking a 34-yard field goal just over two minutes into the game. That came after the defense had forced a 3-and-out and a Cougar punt into the wind handed SAU the ball at the SXU 25-yard line.

The Bees kept early momentum with DJ Oshin blocking a 31-yard field goal attempt and even though they only picked up a single first down on their ensuing possession, Jackson Hunsicker's 50-yard punt flipped field position.

The defense again came through with Brody Mason intercepting a pass and returning it 34 yards to the Cougar 30-yard line. St. Ambrose drove inside the 10 but came up empty when a 25-yard field goal attempt sailed wide left.

After Saint Xavier (7-2, 5-1 MSFA) scored its first touchdown of the game to take a 6-3 lead, St. Ambrose answered right back. John Benckendorf had the big play of the drive, a 31-yard run after faking a pitch on an option play, which led to a 36-yard Gillen field goal to tie the game at 6-6.

From there, the Cougars took control, scoring touchdowns on their next three possessions to grab a 27-6 halftime lead. They tacked on two more touchdowns in the third before Mark Skokna got the Bees on the board late with a 23-yard touchdown run.

Benckendorf completed 14 passes for 66 yards and led the team with 38 yards on the ground on six carries. T'Nahleg Hall ran for 37 yards with Skokna adding 36 and Kaden King finishing with 17.

Yemi Ward caught six passes for 33 yards. Hunter Thompson had three receptions while Blake Wittman and Hall each caught two balls.

Gabe Cole led the defense with seven total tackles. Drew Ackman had three tackles for loss among his six stops. Mason was also in on six tackles. Vince Shaw, Major Haas, Connor Dertz and Jon Thurman each were credited with five tackles.

St. Ambrose recognized its 28 seniors prior to kickoff. Allen Bartoszek, John Benckendorf, Deonte Berry, Aaron Boley, Ray Bouye, Bernard Buhake, Deon Carpenter, Daniel Crowder, Aaron Deter, Brentin Erickson, Tom Gillen, Cade Gorzny, T'Nahleg Hall, Gabe Johnson, Sam Kerr, Aaron Krockey, Tyler Martyn, Brody Mason, Ethan Miebach, D.J. Mumaw, Trent Nunn, Caleb Osborn, Jett Schmitt, Nick Steponavicius, Hunter Thompson, Logan Wickens, Blake Wittman and Khalen Young played in their final home game for the Bees.

SAU also recognized its seniors in the band and on the dance and cheer teams.

St. Ambrose, now 3-7 overall and 2-4 in the MSFA, will close the season next Saturday at Missouri Baptist.

Video highlights courtesy SAUtv, play-by-play from KALA Radio's David Meyer

Tom Gillen starts the scoring with a 34-yard field goal

The Bees block a field goal attempt to preserve a 3-0 lead

With the Bees leading 3-0, Brody Mason picks off a pass and sets the team up in good field position

Tom Gillen's 36-yard field goal ties the game at 6-6

Mark Skokna breaks free for 23-yard touchdown run