Hillsboro, Kan. - Tabor football couldn't find a win in their final game of the season Saturday, falling on the road in Leavenworth, Kan. to the University of Saint Mary, 34-48.

The Bluejays played a close game in the first half, scoring on their opening drive on a 13 yard pass from junior quarterback Joey Erickson (San Marcos, Cal.) to freshman wide receiver Daniel Jost (Hillsboro, Kan.).

The team closed the half down by three, 21-18, following a short touchdown run by sophomore running back Derek Washington (Spanish Camp, Texas) and three touchdowns by Saint Mary.

Erickson and Jost connected on a TD pass again at the beginning of the 2nd half to give Tabor a 12-7 lead. But Tabor had a hard time stopping Saint Mary's running game in the third quarter, allowing three rushing touchdowns and failing to produce any scores on offense.

Down by 24 points, the Bluejays rallied and scored twice; once on an Erickson run, and again on a 27 yard pass to freshman receiver Chris Roddy (Pflugerville, Texas). The team fell short, however, finishing the game with a 14 point deficit.

Erickson had an amazing day in defeat, finishing with 173 rushing yards and 297 passing yards for a total of 470 yards, an all-time single game record for Tabor College.

The final game of the season was also the final game for Head Coach for Mike Gotsch, who submitted his resignation earlier in the week. A nationwide search for a new head football coach has begun, led by a search committee comprised of Tabor President Dr. Jules Glanzer, Vice President for Athletics Rusty Allen, and Professor of Business Administration and Faculty Athletic Representative Dr. Norman Hope.

Although the Bluejays went 0-10 this season and had a combined 3-26 record under Gottsch's leadership over the past three years, Allen acknowledged the positive things Gottsch and his players have accomplished, particularly off the field.

The Bluejays will return several starters for next season, and hope to improve next year.