Martin Has Career Day in 33-30 Loss to Warriors

Sterling, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Football team went on the road to play Sterling College on Saturday. In what was a cold, rain-filled game, the Spires came up short, losing 33-30. They are now 2-7 overall on the year and 0-3 in the Bissel division. 

A ten-yard touchdown run for the Warriors opened the scoring after a five-minute opening drive. The Spires responded on the ensuing drive, going 72 yards in five plays with a 19-yard touchdown run by Jartavious Martin to make it a 7-7 ball game. Sterling scored on the next two drives to take a 20-7 lead at the end of the first quarter. 

Landon Beecham opened the second quarter with an interception, but the offensive unit could not get any points off the turnover. A late field goal from the Warriors made it a 23-7 game heading into halftime. The Spires chipped away at the 16-point Sterling lead with a field goal from Josh Bingham to open the third quarter. Martin made it a one-score game midway through the quarter after a 57-yard touchdown run, making it 23-17. The Warriors answered with a touchdown of their own and a field goal to extend the lead once more at 33-16.

In the fourth quarter, quarterback Erick Covington made it a ten-point game with a one-yard touchdown rush. Saint Mary got the ball back with five minutes to go and put together a 14-play 84-yard drive that Martin ended with a three-yard run to make it a 33-30 ball game. However, the Spires never got the chance to drive down the field one last time as Sterlign ran the clock out to secure the win. 

Martin ran for 331 rushing yards, a new single-game program record, and three touchdowns. Defensively, Jaxon Curtis led the team with nine total tackles.

Up Next

The Spires will host Tabor College at 1 p.m. on Saturday at Charles J. Berkel Memorial Stadium.