As part of Homecoming Weekend, members of the 1993 St. Ambrose football team served as honorary captains at the game against St. Francis (Ill.) Saturday. Former Fighting Bee head coach Mike Woodley joined the team captains at midfield during the coin toss.

Back on Nov. 13, 1993, SAU stunned Western Illinois 27-25. The Bees were led by a trio of freshmen offensively - quarterback Omar Navarro threw for 239 yards, wide receiver Kris Plash had seven receptions for 106 yards and running back Lionel Porter rushed for 173 yards. Porter ignited the offense with a 93-yard first-quarter touchdown run, outracing future NFL star Rodney Harrison to the end zone.

With 2:48 left in the game, and the Bees trailing 25-24, Navarro completed 7-of-8 passes to lead SAU to the Western Illinois 17-yard line. With 18 seconds remaining, Pete Ivanic drilled a 32-yard field goal to win the game.

The St. Ambrose defense finished with four interceptions, including a pick-six from Bill Dean in the third quarter, a fumble recovery and a pair of sacks. Louis Brown, Ken Koehler and Brian Shannon also had interceptions.

Jeff Girsch set the career receiving yardage record in the game. He finished his career with 1,617 receiving yards, which remains fifth currently on the all-time list. Porter, a member of the SAU Athletic Hall of Fame, ended his career as the school's all-time leading rusher with 5,437 yards.

That victory capped a 6-5 season as the Bees posted their first winning season since 1987.

That team would like to recognize some fellow teammates and coaches who are no longer with us - Tim Ridder and Sean "Smoke" Edwards, and Defensive Coordinator and former Bee Head Coach Chuck Schrader, Offensive Line Coach Brad Verdon, and Defensive Line Coach Mike Benson.

Thank you to Dave Moisa for providing information from the game and on the 1993 team.