Buccaneer quarterback
Jacob Shafer tossed a pair of touchdowns and
Gavin Thorpe returned a fumble recovery for another score but Beloit fell to Lawrence University 43-21 on the road Saturday afternoon.
A big first quarter for the Vikings had Beloit working from a 10-0 deficit. The Bucs scored in each of the next three quarters but were unable to mount the comeback.
Beloit's first drive of the second quarter led to their first score of the contest. Shafer was stellar in the drive going 5-6 including a 31-yard touchdown toss to wide receiver
Jeto-Rivar Sanon.
The Bucs' doubled up early in the second half. Lawrence took the second half kick starting their drive at their own 26. Beloit's defense held the Vikings to no gain on first and second down. A penalty on the Beloit defense gave the Vikings third and five but Jeff Beard made up for it on the next play. Beard busted through the offensive line and into the Vikings' backfield sacking the quarterback and forcing a fumble that was recovered by Thorpe. The freshman defensive backed scooped up the ball and scampered in for a 27-yard touchdown return to bring the Bucs' to within two, 14-16 with 13:18 left in the third quarter.
The Vikings had the response, marching down the field to score on their next drive to extend their advantage back to nine, 23-14.
Lawrence added a few more scores but the Buc offense wasn't done yet. Midway through the fourth, the defense led to offense and points once again.
Dallas McKinney jumped a loose ball that was fumbled by Lawrence to bring the Buc offense back out onto the field at the Vikings' 32. Shafer needed just one play to capitalize hitting
AJ Fitzpatrick for a 32-yard touchdown strike.
Shafer was 17-36 for 147 yards and two touchdowns.
Silas Say led the Bucs' from the backfield eith 27 yards on eight carries. Fitzpatrick was Shafer's favorite target on the day with seven receptions for 64 yards and a touchdown.
Defensively, Beard led Beloit with eight tackles including five solo. He added a team-high 2.5 tackles for a loss of seven yards, a sack for a loss of four yards, a pass breakup, and a forced fumble.
