John Benckendorf threw for two touchdowns and Kaden King ran for three as St. Ambrose closed its 2021 campaign with a 35-23 win at Missouri Baptist Saturday afternoon.

Benckendorf completed 14-of-20 passes for 246 yards to complement King's 140 yards on 21 carries. The Bees rolled up 425 yards of total offense in the win.

SAU spotted MBU a 7-0 lead early when the Spartans blocked a punt and returned it for a touchdown minutes into the game. Then it was all St. Ambrose.

King started the SAU scoring with a 58-yard touchdown run. Benckendorf gave the Bees the lead for good with a 7-yard touchdown toss to Sam Kerr late in the opening quarter. Benckendorf connected with Blake Wittman on a 69-yard touchdown pass in the second quarter before a Missouri Baptist field goal put the score at 21-9 at the half.

King scored on runs of four and six yards to extend the lead to 35-9 midway through the fourth quarter. The Spartans added a pair of late touchdowns to account for the final score.

SAU's 425 yards of offense is its third-highest total of the season. They did it on 62 plays to average nearly seven yards per offensive snap.

T'Nahleg Hall added 39 yards on the ground. Hunter Thompson had six receptions for 78 yards, Wittman had two catches for 77 yards and Yemi Ward caught three passes for 55 yards.

The Bee defense also got it done, allowing just 323 yards to the Spartans.

Vince Shaw led the way with nine total tackles. DeViann Titus-Porter finished with eight tackles and Nick Daniel added six. DJ Oshin and Ali Francois were each in on five tackles, with Oshin recording two of the team's three sacks. Connor Dertz picked off a pass.

Joe Namio was a perfect 5-for-5 on extra points.

St. Ambrose finished the year 4-7 overall and 3-4 in the MSFA Midwest League.