Playing a nationally-ranked opponent for the second straight week, and this time on the road, was a daunting task. And a week after falling to then-No. 15 Roosevelt 17-3, St. Ambrose lost Saturday at No. 11 Saint Xavier 31-14.

And much like last Saturday, the Bees held their own for much of the game.

Tom Casey connected with Ben Gilbert on a 24-yard touchdown pass to tie the game at 7-7 late in the first quarter. The Cougars (8-2, 6-0 MSFA) regained the lead on a 24-yard field goal midway through the second quarter. 

A four-minute stretch late in the half proved costly to St. Ambrose. After Saint Xavier went up 17-7 on a 26-yard touchdown pass, SAU immediately went three-and-out and Jackson Hunsicker punted the ball back to SXU. The Cougars pieced together a nine-play, 67-yard drive that culminated in a 30-yard touchdown pass in the final minute of the second quarter to push the margin to 24-7.

Yemi Ward got the Bees back in the game with an eight-yard touchdown run in the opening minutes of the third quarter. But that proved to be it for St. Ambrose. Saint Xavier sealed the win with a final touchdown midway through the fourth quarter.

SAU had some struggles offensively, finishing with just 130 yards of total offense and nine first downs.

Casey completed 10 passes for 80 yards. Ward and Gilbert each had 30 yards receiving while Justin Wright hauled in a team-best four catches for 22 yards. Ward, T'Nahleg Hall and Ray Bouye III combined for 63 yards on the ground.

Rolando Sepulveda led the SAU defense with 11 total tackles. Jake Strater made nine stops, and Jesse Driver Jr., Zak Alberts and Max Gourley were each in on eight tackles. Gourley and Drew Ackman each had a sack. Driver forced a pair of fumbles, while Djabril McNabb and DJ Oshin each recovered one.

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