Three long touchdowns in the first half proved to be the difference as St. Ambrose dropped its season opener at Waldorf 33-13 Saturday night in Forest City, Iowa.

The Bees surrendered touchdown passes of 54 yards and 30 yards to fall behind 13-0 early in the second quarter.

St. Ambrose got a break when Waldorf (2-0) fumbled a punt return giving SAU the ball deep in Warrior territory. But the Bee drive fizzled and a 38-yard field goal attempt was blocked and returned the length of the field for a touchdown, putting St. Ambrose in a 20-0 hole.

Big runs from Kaden King and Joey Sprinkle sparked the Bees on their next possession, which ultimately ended with an eight-yard touchdown pass from Tom Casey to Israel Taylor to cut the deficit to 20-6.

On its next possession, facing a 4th-and-1 from near midfield, St. Ambrose was stopped giving Waldorf the ball back. The Warriors took advantage and punched in another touchdown before the half to take a 26-6 lead.

T'Nahleg Hall scored on a three-yard run midway through the third quarter to trim the score to 26-13 but the Bees would not score again. A blocked punt led to a short Waldorf scoring drive in the fourth quarter to account for the final score.

Casey competed 13-of-21 passes for 103 yards and a touchdown. Sprinkle was 4-of-8 for 24 yards.

Hall carried the ball 18 times for 55 yards and a score. King (26 yards) and Ray Bouye III (25 yards) combined for 51 yards on the ground.

Yemi Ward caught a team-best five passes for 32 yards. Justin Wright (34 yards) and Ben Gilbert (31 yards) each hauled in four receptions.

Major Haas led the SAU defense with nine total tackles. De'Viann Titus-Porter and Jeremiah Crawford were each credited with seven tackles. Zak Alberts and Rolando Sepulveda were in on six stops apiece.

The Bees visit nationally-ranked Concordia (Mich.) next Saturday.