EPHRAIM, Utah (September 14, 2019) -- In what should have been a big, momentum shifting win for Snow College, the Badgers dropped a 17-6 decision to No. 9 Lackawanna College on Saturday in Ephraim.

Snow College head coach Andrew Mitchell decided to go with redshirt freshman Garrison Beech at quarterback instead of the usual starter, Braxton Kerr. Snow's second drive of the game, which included a big first-down reception by tight end Jackson O'Hare, looked promising, but was not enough to put the ball in the end zone. Instead, kicker Jose Pizano drilled a 45-yard field goal, taking the lead 3-0. 

The Falcons' pursuing drive was halted after Snow's Bujon Boyd broke up a pass on third down. The field goal attempt was fumbled and picked up by Alton Jones Jr. and returned to the Lackawanna 35-yard line. After going three-and-out, Snow relied on Pizano again, this time kicking a 44-yard field goal, extending the lead to 6-0. 

With no touchdowns to show for it, Beech still seemed to be confident directing the offense, finding receivers for quick five-yard plays, or keeping the ball himself and running for the first down.

The Badger defense stood strong, although Falcons' quarterback Matt Cavallaro found a few of his receivers for big plays in the second quarter. Snow linebacker Owen Fa'amoe got to Cavallaro on third down, forcing Lackawanna to settle with a field goal, cutting the Snow College lead in half, 6-3. 

After exchanging drives, the Badgers picked up a couple of first downs on the ground and threatened to score the first touchdown of the game. Falcons defensive back DeJahn Warren had other ideas though, picking off Beech in the end zone. 

Once again, Snow's defense was able to bail out the offense and draw a three-and-out off of a big tackle on third down from defensive lineman C.J. Murray. 

Starting at the 49-yard line, Beech handed the ball off to running back Shammah Luani for back-to-back first downs, earning their first trip of the game into the red zone. Lackawanna's defense stood tall, forcing a fourth down. With 4.5 seconds left in the half and on the 1-yard line, Mitchell rolled the dice and kept the offense on the field. Beech, working from the option, took the ball himself, but was brought down behind the line of scrimmage, sending both teams to the locker room with Snow leading 6-3 at the half. 

The second half was a completely different ballgame. Beech threw his second interception of the day, that would eventually lead to a Falcons' touchdown, and giving the visitors from Pennsylvania a 10-6 lead.  

Beech would throw another interception—his third of the day—which was erased on the following drive when Badgers' defensive back Bryce Hampton picked off Cavallaro. But the Snow College offense couldn't do anything with the ball, punting, missing a field goal, and failing on a fourth-down conversion in the next three consecutive drives. 

The Badgers' defense did their part, stunting Lackawanna's attempt of running out the clock, and forcing the Falcons to turn the ball over on downs with 1:01 left in the game.
Beech completed a pass on first down, and the Badgers benefited from an unsportsmanlike conduct call to pick up a first down. A bad snap then left Beech scrambling to recover the ball, and Lackawanna's KeShaun Moore returned the fumble for the game-winning touchdown.
The game marked the first time Snow has failed to score more than seven points in a game, dating back to a 14-7 loss to Arizona Western back in 2011. The game also marked the first time since 1997 the Badgers have been held to just six points.

Braxton Kerr and Garrison Beech have combined for 9 interceptions in 4 games, compared to just 5 passing touchdowns. Captain TE Ron Tiavaasue sat today's game out with an injury, and RB Shammah Luani and WR Keashawn McCoy were both banged up during the game, the severity of their injuries still unknown. Mitchell's offense will have to be nothing short of brilliant in next week's homecoming game if they want any shot of beating Iowa Central. Unless the defense can come up with 21 points. Maybe that's more feasible.
Snow will next take on Iowa Central next Saturday in the annual Homecoming game. Kickoff is slated for 7 p.m. and will be available on radio stations KMTI AM 650 and 95.1 FM, with live streaming available at local10.centracom.com or on the YouTube channel WATCHit/SnowTV. 

Offensive Stats: 
QB Garrison Beech: 16/33 completions, 123 yards, 0 TD, 3 INT
QB Garrison Beech: 19 carries, 81 yards
RB Shammah Luani: 10 carries, 59 yards
TE Jackson O'Hare: 4 receptions, 40 yards
K Jose Pizano: 2/3 FG, longest - 45 yards
Defensive Stats:
LB Jeremiah Ieremia: 6 tackles
DB Bryce Hampton: 1 INT