HANCOCK, Mich. - After falling behind to start the contest in Michigan, the Sabercats strung together plays and nearly turned the day into an unlikely comeback, but MBU eventually fell just short, losing 22-27 in Northern Michigan.

The Basics

• Result: Sabercats 22-27 Lions
• Venue: McAfee Field
• Attendance: 343
• Sabercats: now 2-5, Lions: now 1-6

How it Happened

• 1st Quarter
  • It was all about Finlandia in the first quarter, as the Lions' defense forced the Sabercats into multiple three-and-out's while the Finlandia offense executed for two touchdowns. The hosts struck through the air from just inside their own half to get things started, then followed it up with a four-yard run with 10 seconds on the clock to take a solid lead going into the second quarter (0-14)
• 2nd Quarter
  • David Fenton put the Sabercats on the board in the second quarter with his first field goal of the day. Fenton knocked in a 39-yarder at the end of the Sabercats' longest drive of the game (3-14)
  • Finlandia's running game - which haunted the Sabercats last year to a greater degree - came into play on the hosts' ensuing drive. Eddie Yearby's six-yard scamper put the Lions ahead even farther (3-20)
  • The Sabercats' reply was immediate and emphatic, as they marched down the field and completed the drive with a 17-yard aerial TD from Joshua Hill to Clayton Morrison. The connection between the two would not be the last one of the day for a score (10-20)
  • The momentum continued to shift in the Sabercats' favor when Luke Fell recovered a fumble on the first play of the Lions' next drive.
  • Even though the Sabercats could not post the desired seven points, David Fenton still knocked in a 46-yard field goal - his longest effort of his two-year career. Fenton's kick came with just one second on the clock and made the game a one-possession contest going into the break (13-20)
  • Fenton's kick was his career longest, and was the longest recorded field goal in MBU Football History. 
• 3rd Quarter
  • After Clayton Steuerwald recovered a fumble in the opening seconds of the third quarter, the game would eventually slow down during that third act as Finlandia would be the only team to score. The decisive moment came when a five play, 70-yard drive was finished with a 38-yard connection from Yearby to Corey Dunn to frustrate the hard-charging Sabercats (13-27)
  • The big moment during the third quarter for the Sabercats came when Joshua Hill connected with Frankie Martinez for a gain of 46 yards on third and 10. The play not only saved the drive, but gave the Sabercats momentum going into the final 15 minutes - momentum that they would make the most of
• 4th Quarter
  • The Sabercats made the most of the momentum from the Hill-Martinez connection to score with the first drive of the fourth quarter. After a Martinez rushing TD was called back, Hill connected again with Morrison with a short pass to put the Sabercats within striking distance (20-27)
  • Enter Jowan Williams, who turned the tide of the game fully in the Sabercats favor when he picked off Yearby's pass on Finlandia's next drive to start another drive for the Sabercats at their own 34 yard line.
  • The Sabercats could not shake the Lions' coverage, however, and were forced to go three and out. When the MBU defense stood strong, the Sabercats had another chance to tie the game with just under five minutes left. The Sabercats kept the chains moving to pick up three first downs, but were ultimately halted just two yards short of another crucial first down deep in Finlandia's half.
  • With just over 60 seconds on the clock, the hosts started their final drive at their own 21. After a Jowan Williams' sack of Yearby for a loss of 17 yards and two Finlandia penalties, the hosts faced fourth and long at their own two-yard line with 00:02 on the clock. After a timeout, the hosts kept their wits about them, retreated into their own end zone, and took a safety to win by just five points (22-27) 

Up Next

• The Sabercats will host the Lions of Trinity Bible College next Saturday, October 29th, at 12:00 PM.
• You can watch the game live at mbusabercats.com/live