Box Score DEERFIELD, Ill. - In a back and forth battle off afternoon long, the TIU Trojans lost a close one, suffering a 34-27 defeat to the Missouri Baptist Spartans on Saturday afternoon.

After forcing a three and out on the MBU opening drive the Trojans offense got their chance to get on the scoreboard first, and they did just that. Danny Mattero led an 8-play 38 yard drive that setup Carter Andrade to knock through a 30-yard field goal to give TIU the early lead. 

On the next two Missouri Baptist drives the Trojan defense stood tall, forcing punts thanks to strong play from Leland Orrin and Mario Williams. 

With a 3-0 lead Mattero and the Trojan offense took the field looking to add to the score and the would do just that. The Senior led the Trojans on a quick 4 play 3- yard drive that set up Mattero to find his favorite target in Brad Hargis for the 20 yard touchdown, increasing the Trojan lead to 10-0.

MBU came right back on their next drive, and started with great field position after the kickoff from Andrade was brough back to the 49 yard line. After a short gain on first down the Spartans aired it out, connecting on a 51 yard touchdown pass to jump right back into the game at 10-7.

With both offenses stalling at the beginning of the 2nd Quarter it was the Spartans who grabbed their first lead of the game, once again going to the air to pick up the bulk of their yards before a 1 yard touchdown run made it 14-10 in favor of the visitors.

On the ensuing kickoff Chris Wolcott made a highlight reel pla, taking the kick back 85-yards for the touchdown. Wolcott, the converted QB now WR made his presence known after taking the kick back and giving the Trojans the lead yet again.

Following the return touchdown from Wolcott the Spartans yet again gashed the Trojan pass defense, tossing a 46 yard touchdown pass just six plays into the drive to retake the lead 21-17.

After a long Trojans drive just before the half stalled out, Andrade came on to hit his second field goal of the game, this one from 25 yards out just as the clock expired at half.

On the opening offensive drive of the half for the Trojans the run game was the strength for TIU as Isaac Branch ripped off three consecutive runs for a total of 49 yards to set the Trojans up inside the red zone. The strong play from Branch gave Freshman Jabial White a chance to scamper in from 7 yards out for the score, making it a 27-21 Trojan lead. 

The White touchdown to give the Trojans the lead was the last time TIU would find the end zone, as the MBU defense stood tall for the remainder of the game. The Spartans added two more scores in the second half the seal the victory 34-27.

Despite rushing for over 250 yards on the afternoon, the passing attack of Missouri Baptist was too much for the Trojan defense to overcome. MBU threw for 320 yards and four touchdowns, compared to the 142 passing yards of the Trojans.

Defensively for TIU it was Bradley Mowbray who once again led TIU in tackles, picking up 10 total stops. The Freshman CB combo of Darrius Outland and Jalen Robertson each grabbed an interception in a strong performance.

TIU returns home next Saturday for their final home game of the season as the Trojans will take on the St. Ambrose Bee's on Senior Day at 1 pm.