DEERFIELD, Ill. - On a overcast and windy Homecoming Saturday, Trinity International looked competitive, but costly turnovers proved to be the difference, as the No. 25 St. Ambrose Bees came away with the win, 41-13. 

Box Score | Season Stats

The Trojans suffered from eight turnovers on the day, comitting three interceptions, and losing five of six fumbles on the day. The Bees were starting their drives on average at their own 40-yardline, taking advantage of a short field on multiple occasions.

Trinity led early on, taking their first drive of the game 50 yards in 13 plays, and finishing with a 37-yard Jeremiah Carter field goal to put the Trojans in front 3-0.

After the TIU defense forced another punt, the Trojans looked ready to build a two-possession lead, but a fumble on the first play from scrimmage was recovered by St. Ambrose at the TIU 33-yard line. The defense held again, and the Bees tied the game at 3-3 with a 36-yard field goal.

The Bees would take their first lead of the game early in the second quarter, as SAU's Nick Bellamy punched the ball in from two yards out to make it a 10-3 score with 13:32 to play in the second.

Another fumble short of midfield gave St. Ambrose an opportunity to extend the seven-point advantage; a six-play, 43-yard drive was finished off in the end zone, as the Bees moved ahead 17-3. Both teams would trade punts to finish out the first half.

TIU received the kick to start the second half, but another fumble ended the Trojan attack early. Zachary Chesser found Cory Windle for a 37-yard completion to cross into St. Ambrose territory, but two plays later the Bees would recover the loos ball and take over on their own 14-yardline, after a personal foul penalty. St. Ambrose then went ahead 24-3 with a 14-play, 72-yard drive resulting in the touchdown.

Trinity responded with a 29-yard, Chesser-to-Brad Hargis touchdown pass to close within two possessions. A defensive stop gave the ball back to the home team, but an interception kept the Bees' lead intact. On the next possession, Leland Orrin forced a fumble with his sack on third-and-goal, giving the Trojans a takeaway and the ball on their own 21-yardline. Another interception near midfield would again keep TIU from chipping away at the lead.

St. Ambrose added a 23-yard field goal with 13:19 to play in the fourth quarter, then following giveaways from both squads, Carter got the three points back with a 25-yard kick of his own.

The Trojans had two more fourth-quarter possessions to try and make a late comeback, but both attempts were squashed by turnovers, allowing SAU to pad their lead late in the game.

Zachary Chesser finished with 256 passing yards on the day, completing 24 of 33 passes and finding wideout Brad Hargis for his one passing TD. Cory Windle collected 105 receiving yards on five catches, while Dillon Turk led the team with six receptions. Chris Elliott collected a team-high 45 yards on the ground.

The Trojans return home next weekend, when they host the Olivet Nazarene Tigers. Kickoff on Saturday, October 10 is set for 1:00 p.m. from Frazier Field.