LOUISVILLE, Ky. — Bellarmine sprint football is prepared for its final regular season game at home, as the Knights take on Midway at 1:00 p.m. on Saturday.
 
Saturday's contest between Bellarmine (3-1) and Midway (0-4) marks the second chapter of the "Battle for the Bourbon Barrel".  While every game is critical in just a six-game season, a rivalry win and bounce-back win are on the line for Bellarmine after last week's loss to Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
 
In the 33-10 loss to SMWC, the Knights led for a good chunk of the first half.  A Ben Valle field goal and Brenden Reid touchdown run in the first quarter gave Bellarmine a quick 10-6 lead.  SMWC's offense found a rhythm late in the first half, however, scoring with just under six minutes remaining in the second quarter and never looking back with 27 unanswered points.  With Bellarmine playing from behind, quarterback Dylan Gough threw a season-high 37 passes and the Knights were held to 101 yards on the ground – about 30 yards less than their season average. 
 
"I thought we had too many mistakes on both sides of the ball," said Bellarmine Coach Harold Davis.  "Some big plays got us on defense, and offensively we didn't execute well enough to sustain drives.  But, I have to give St. Mary's a lot of credit.  They are a well-coached, physical team."
 
With the victory, SMWC has asserted itself as the top team in the league, and remains the only unbeaten squad in the MSFL.  Bellarmine and Calumet College of St. Joseph sit behind the Pomeroys at 3-1.  Quincy and Fontbonne have posted a 1-3 record this year, while Midway is 0-4 thus far.
 
The Eagles enter off a close home loss to Fontbonne by a final score of 27-19.  Despite falling behind 14-0, Midway rallied, scoring all 19 of its points in the second half.  The Eagles outgained Fontbonne 111-67 on the ground but were outgained 352-171 through the air.  Midway also threw four interceptions but recovered two fumbles on the defensive side of the ball. 
 
In the first meeting between Bellarmine and Midway, the score went back-and-forth with the Knights eventually prevailing 17-15 thanks to a Valle 33-yard field goal with 44 seconds remaining. Bellarmine out-gained Midway 293-222 in total offense, and the Knights had a significant edge on the ground with 128 yards compared to 44 for the Eagles.  Bellarmine's defense also recorded three interceptions.
 
Overall this season, Bellarmine's primary offense has been the rushing attack with sixty percent of its plays coming on the ground.  Brenden Reid is averaging just under 100 rushing yards/game, while Dylan Gough is averaging 140 yards passing per contest.  Reid also has a team-high 30 tackles and five tackles for loss this year, while Caleb Murray has recorded 29 tackles.  Five defensive players have tallied at least one interception, and the defensive unit has totaled eight this season.
 
DJ Palmer runs quarterback for Midway and has thrown for 120 yards per game, four touchdowns, and nine interceptions this season.  Kaden Parraz has served as Midway's primary running back the last two contests, rushing for 108 total yards in games against SMWC and Fontbonne.
 
Saturday's game also marks Senior Day for Bellarmine.  The Knights will honor Cameron Broussard, Max Dansereau, Devan Hendricks, and Evan Williams prior to the game.  The action can be viewed on BU Knights Sports Network with Anthony Mazzini and Jim Leisure on the call.

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