Hillsboro, Kan.    In a game that featured 45 first half points, the Tabor Bluejays fell 40-31 to the University of Saint Mary Spires.

After an opening drive punt by Tabor, the two teams would score on each of their next two possessions. Both of the Spires touchdowns came on the ground, while the Bluejays got their opening touchdown on a 50-yard pass from quarterback William Green (19-42, 308 yards and three touchdowns) to running back Devin Jones (3 catches, 81 yards). Tabor would also tack on a field goal from Nathaniel Heilig to conclude the first quarter scoring at 14-10.

"Our protection was okay. If you have decent protection, then normally your passing game is going to go pretty well. Our guys ran some pretty good routes," Head Coach Mike Gardner said.

Saint Mary scored in the opening minutes of the second quarter and added another about five minutes later on a 17-yard rushing touchdown, giving them a 28-10 lead.

The Bluejays would respond on their next drive, the final scoring possession of the half for either team. On a 3rd-and-13 play following a pair of rushing attempts, Green found wide receiver Isiah Williams for a 66-yard touchdown pass.

The Spires got the scoring started in the third quarter with their fourth rushing touchdown, but Tabor came right back on their next drive on a penalty-filled, five-play, 63-yard drive. The touchdown pass came on another third-and-long, with Green hitting wide receiver Jaden Gordon (8 catches, 92 yards) on a 29-yard strike, cutting the lead to 34-24.

Tabor would hold the Spires to a short field goal early in the fourth quarter to keep it a two-possession game at 37-24. 

The Bluejays were the beneficiary of a critical play in the red zone on their next drive. Green had his pass intercepted at the goal line and taken back for a touchdown, but it was called back due to defensive pass interference. Running back Jordan Bolden would run the ball in on the next play from five yards out, taking what was once an 18-point lead down to six with 8:49 to go.

Tabor appeared to be in position to get the ball back on multiple occasions on the Spires next possession, forcing four 3rd downs, including a third-and-18. Saint Mary was able to convert on each of their first three 3rd downs of the drive and kicked a 43-yard field goal to cap off a seven-minute possession.

The Bluejays, trailing 40-31, were able to push the ball downfield and put themselves in position to cut it to a one-possession game and set up a potential onside kick, but the field goal was off the mark, enabling the Spires to run out the clock.

"I was pleased with how our kids responded to a lot of stuff. Even where we were down two possessions, they kept going and came back. We just didn't get an opportunity to get our onside kick at the end," Gardner said.

Tabor will play at Ottawa University in their season finale at 1 p.m. next Saturday, Nov. 11.

"I just want us to score points like we did. I want us to be better on defense, but we're fighting through some injuries which is always common at the end of the year, but I'm looking forward to seeing what we can do next week," Gardner said.

Tabor College is a Christ-centered institution located in Hillsboro, Kansas. The Bluejays are members of the NAIA and compete in the KCAC.