The Tucson Sugar Skulls dropped their third straight game with a 72-54 loss at the Quad City Steamwheelers.

The loss was marked by a series of miscues and close calls. With the game tied at 17 in the second quarter, quarterback Matt Behrendt fumbled as he was trying to stretch the ball across the goalline for a touchdown. The call was upheld after being challenged.

Just before halftime, with Tucson down 3-124 newly signed kicker Josh Gable hit the upright and then the cross bar with a field goal attempt. The kick was initially ruled no good, then reversed to good, then changed again to no good.

Another newcomer, wide receiver Maliqu Belfort, caught two touchdown passes but couldn't haul in a fourth down pass in the endzone during the fourth quarter. Mike Jones did have 126 yards and 2 touchdowns in a losing effort. Dee Maggitt Jr also had the first kickoff return for a touchdown n team history.

The Steamwheelers scored on every offensive possession, and the 72 points is the most the Sugar Skulls have given up in their inaugural season.

The Sugar Skulls fall to 3-4 and host Iowa next week.

