Grand Rapids, MI- Three interceptions and losing the time of possession battle came back to haunt Arizona Christian as they fell 20-7 at Davenport on Saturday.  Senior Donovan Smith hauled in 101 yards receiving and one touchdown while Junior Malik Sawyer recorded seven tackles, forced and recovered a fumble, and broke up two passes.

With kickoff coming at 8:00 am Arizona Time, the Firestorm (1-2) needed to wake up in a hurry playing their third road game in a row to begin their season.  After receiving the opening kickoff, ACU saw their first drive end on four plays after going for it on fourth down at their own 44 yard line.

The Panthers (3-2) answered by going 44 yards in 10 plays to milk 4:45 off the clock and punch in a touchdown on their first offensive opportunity.

After punting on three straight possessions, Arizona Christian cashed in the equalizing touchdown after marching 63 yards on seven plays in two minutes and 16 seconds.  Junior Gerrit Groenewold (who threw for 247 yards) found Smith for an 18 yard touchdown.  The extra point from Junior Derek Brush made it a 7-7 game.

Davenport took back the lead at 13-7 with a 38 yard touchdown and 78 seconds remaining in the half.

The teams exchanged interceptions on consecutive passes (Senior Orlando Thompson grabbed his first interception of the season) before ACU missed a field goal to end the half.

Sawyer forced and recovered a fumble three plays into the second half.  However, ACU came up empty on the ensuing drive.

Unfortunately, Groenewold was picked off on two of the final three Arizona Christian drives.  Take away number two resulted in the final DU touchdown.  His third interception of the day with 6:37 remaining turned out to the final time the Firestorm would have the pigskin as Davenport ran the clock out.

Time of possession was a deal breaker as the Panthers controlled the football for 36 and a half minutes.  In the second half, the Firestorm lined up on offensive for just over eight minutes including a minuscule 2:22 in the fourth quarter.

Defensively, Sawyer was joined by Junior Joshua Carter with seven tackles.  Sophomore Austin Schleier delivered 6.5 tackles.

On Saturday, the Firestorm will finally have the opportunity to play in front of the ACU home crowd as they host Langston at Shadow Mountain High School for a 2:00 pm contest.