St. Ambrose dropped its Mid-States Football Association Midwest League opener to Roosevelt 30-17 Saturday at Morris Field in Arlington Heights, Ill.

The Lakers (3-2, 1-0 MSFA) scored a pair of fourth-quarter touchdowns to break a 17-17 tie in the conference opener for both teams.

The late scores spoiled a strong start for St. Ambrose. The Bees grabbed an early 7-0 lead on an eight-yard scamper from Tom Casey midway through the first quarter. After Roosevelt rallied for a 10-7 lead, Casey connected with Yemi Ward on a three-yard touchdown pass to put SAU back in front 14-10 at the half. It was Ward's ninth scoring reception of the year.

Roosevelt scored in the opening minutes of the third quarter to regain a 17-14 lead before Joe Namio connected on a 41-yard field goal to knot the score at 17-17.

On the Lakers' ensuing drive, the Bees appeared to come up with a stop when a fourth-down pass was incomplete, but a pass interference penalty kept the drive alive. Three plays later, RU capped a 16-play, 83-yard drive that chewed up more than 10 minutes with a touchdown run to go in front for good.

Down 24-17, SAU had two possessions stall out near midfield. Roosevelt sealed the win with a touchdown inside the final two minutes to account for the final score.

The Lakers finished with 393 yards of offense, including 213 yards on the ground, while the Bees totaled just 210 yards of total offense.

Casey completed 17-of-29 passes for 94 yards and the one touchdown. Ward caught four passes for 31 yards while Mikey Hellwig had four receptions totaling 23 yards. Kaden King, Kyle Yehling and Jeffery Elms each had two catches.

Elms led the rushing attack with 82 yards on 14 carries. King ran for 35 yards on five attempts.

D'Mauryon Hunter and Jake Strater were each credited with nine tackles. Micheal Robinson had eight stops, George Litgen III had five, and Donte Sibley and Colin Gudella each had four tackles. Max Gourley registered a sack and Myles Doggan intercepted a pass in the loss.

After a pair of bye weeks, St. Ambrose (0-6, 0-1 MSFA) will return to action on Oct. 21 to host St. Francis (Ill.) as part of Homecoming Weekend.