The Beloit College football team hosted Grinnell College for its annual Homecoming game Saturday afternoon at Strong Stadium falling to the Pioneers 40-13. 

The rain stayed away allowing for a fairly pleasant albeit overcast and somewhat humid Saturday in Beloit. Grinnell got their running game going right off the bat scoring on their first drive of the contest. 

The Pioneers made it 14-0 on their next drive. Grinnell ate up nearly the entire first quarter on offense. 

Following Grinnell's third score of the contest, the Bucs' offense got a spark courtesy of a 25-yard kickoff return from AJ Fitzpatrick that put Beloit at midfield. Silas Say was tapped for the carry surging forward for six yards. After an incomplete pass, Emiliano Reyes grabbed the handoff and pushed forward for three yards forcing fourth and one at the Grinnell 41. Buc quarterback exploited a breakdown in the Pioneer defense that looked to expect a run play hitting Fitzpatrick perfectly in stride up the middle with no Grinnell defender in sight easily scampering down the field for a 41-yard touchdown. Rafael Cervantes Jr. cut into the lead with the extra point that made it 21-7. 

Using momentum created by the offense, the defense stepped up on Grinnell's next drive. The Pioneers handed to the speedy Dustin Saia for a run off the right edge but Saia fumbled the ball and Jordan Wells pounced on it at the Grinnell 40 to give the ball back to the offense. Despite the good field position, the Bucs weren't able to capitalize but they didn't fold. 

The Pioneers were able to march down to the Beloit 25 when defensive back Dae'Quan Ambrister abruptly halted their drive. Ambrister jumped the Grinnell receiver's route for an interception at the Bucs' 17. GC's defense held forcing a three-an-out. 

Taking over with 1:22 left in the half, the Pioneers were able to sneak in a field goal, a 37-yarder, before halftime to send the teams into the lockerrooms with Grinnell leading 24-7. 

The Pioneers started the second half like they ended the first, with a field goal, this time from 29-yards, to extend the advantage to 27-7. 

Both teams turned the ball over on downs in their next possessions running out the third quarter. 

Following a GC touchdown, Isaac Wellman's return put Beloit on their own 36. On the first play of the drive, Say broke free bolting up the field for a 29-yard gain. On second and 10, MJ Smith-Dukes took the handoff in the backfield and a five-yard gain turned into 20 as the Pioneers were flagged for a facemask putting Beloit at the 35. 

An incomplete pass and short gain brought up third and eight when Shafer went to his favorite target on the day, Fitzpatrick. This time it was a 13-yard strike that Fitzpatrick made a fantastic contested catch on in the endzone. Cervantes Jr. was good on the point after to make it 33-13. 

The Pioneers were able to find the endzone once more to seal the game. 

Shafer completed five passes for 54 yards and a pair of touchdowns while tossing an interception. Say registered the most carries with 58 yards on 11 attempts. Fitzpatrick had the pair of touchdown receptions for 54 yards. 

Defensively, Josh Shapiro and Raydarriuz Kelley shared team-high tackle honors with nine each. Kruz Vargas, Lens Bernadel, Trevor Cain, Ambrister and EK Davis all registered tackles for a loss in the game.