The final score was closer this time around for Albert Lea against Rochester Mayo Friday night in Rochester, but the Spartans still put up some big numbers against the Tigers in a 38-13 win.

Albert Lea (1-1, 0-1) surrendered 456 yards of total offense to Mayo (1-1, 1-0), 346 of which came on the ground. Aaron Burt led the Spartans on the ground, rushing 31 times for 265 yards. The Tigers on the other hand had 148 yards of total offense, 58 of which came on the ground.

Despite the numbers Albert Lea head coach Clay Anderson felt his team competed well against Mayo, especially considering the Tigers lost 60-0 against the Spartans last season.

“We really competed tonight,” Anderson said. “At times we went toe-to-toe with them. I’m real proud of the guys.”

Mayo drove 93 yards in the first quarter on a drive the chewed up more than half the quarter and scored on an 3-yard run by Burt.

Luke Grossman responded on an 86-yard kick return to tie the game up.

But then the running game and size of the Spartans became too much for the Tigers and Burt scored on a 47-yard run in the second quarter.

Albert Lea actually trailed just 13-7 at halftime, but Mayo came out strong in the third quarter.

The Spartans added two more touchdowns in the third quarter and two more in the fourth.

Albert Lea scored with :52 left when Colton Zuniga scored from five yards out.

The Tigers lost two fumbles in the game and the Spartans capitalized on one fumble recovery in the game.

The young Tigers offensive line struggled against the defensive line of Mayo and as a result the Albert Lea offense floundered.

“We didn’t move the ball well,” Anderson said. “We just need to run our offense better.”

The Tigers had 148 yards of total offense compared to 456 for the Spartans.

Cody Hansen went 5-for-7 with 51 yards in the air on the night with Logan Kortan hauling in two of those balls for 38 yards.

The Tigers play the No. 7 ranked team in Class 4A Mankato West at home Friday.

Mayo 38, Albert Lea 13

Mayo – 7 0 0 6 — 38

Albert Lea – 7 6 15 10 — 13

First Quarter

Mayo — Aaron Burt 3 run (Tom Alexander kick) 5:48.

A.L. — Luke Grossman 85 kick return (Matt Tiegs kick) 0:13.

Second Quarter

Mayo — Burt 47 run (kick failed) 2:20.

Third Quarter

Mayo — Jon Juhn 16 run (Juhn two-point conversion) 9:08.

Mayo — Adam Valen 25 pass from Travis Nordhus (Alexander kick) 3:59.

Fourth Quarter

Mayo — Alexander field goal 11:19.

Mayo — Ethan Johnson 5 run (Alexander kick) 9:02.

A.L. — Colton Zuniga 5 run (conversion failed) 0:52.