Covington Has Career High in the Air, But Spires Fall to Valor 59-42

Leavenworth, Kan.- The University of Saint Mary Football team hosted the Evangel Valor on Saturday, resulting in a 59-42 loss. The Spires are now 1-3 on the year and 1-3 in the KCAC.

After a three-and-out to open the game for the Spires, Evangel had a 12-play 75-yard drive to strike first. A stalled drive by Saint Mary led to another score for the Valor to extend their lead to 14. The Spires answered on the ensuing possession as Raymond Webster got his team on the board with 3:24 left to play in the first quarter to make it 14-7. An Evangel touchdown extended their lead to 21-7 at the start of the second quarter. 

Michael Gazzana then reeled in a 37-yard pass from Erick Covington to spark a crucial drive for Saint Mary that ended with Alejandro Martinez-Loera hauling in a two-yard touchdown pass to cut into the Evangel lead. Landon Beecham then added to the Spire momentum with his interception to give the ball back to the offense with eight minutes remaining in the half. Saint Mary could not get much going on the drive, resulting in a change of possession and a quick score for Evangel. Dalvonne Donaldson later scored for the Spires, but the Valor scored three more times before halftime to make the score 40-21.

Evangel opened the third quarter with a stalled drive that led to Jartavious Martin punching it in from a yard out, making it a 40-28 ball game in favor of the Valor. Another Martin touchdown to end the third quarter gave the Spires life heading into the fourth quarter. However, Evangel responded with back-to-back scores and pulled away. Despite yet another touchdown from Martin on a 35-yard pass to make the score 53-42, the Valor added one more score to seal the 59-42 victory. 

Martin and Webster combined for over a hundred yards and four touchdowns, while Donaldson recorded seven catches for 133 yards and a score. Covington recorded a career-high in passing yards with 380, while Aidan Arnold led the defense with seven tackles.

Up Next

Saint Mary will travel to play Bethany College at 7 p.m. on Saturday in Lindsborg, Kansas.