A strong first half effort didn’t translate into the second half Thursday for the Albert Lea football team and the Tigers were handed yet another close loss, this time a 21-7 defeat against Mayo at Hammer Field.

The field conditions and weather had all the makings of Albert Lea’s upset victory over Rochester Century two weeks ago, but this time the Tigers weren’t able to take advantage of turnovers.

“This one hurts a lot because it’s one we knew we could have won,” said Albert Lea senior Jordan Cooper. “Limit penalties, limit turnovers and we’re right in that game.”

The Tigers committed four turnovers in the game and committed penalties at crucial times to let another game slip away.

“Whoever had the less turnovers tonight won the game,” said senior linebacker Tyler Haaland.

After the Spartans (4-3, 4-2 Big Nine) scored in the first quarter, Albert Lea responded with a 17-play, 73-yard drive that tied the game at 7-7 after Luke Grossman plunged in from 1-yard out in the second quarter.

It looked like just the start for the Tigers, but turnovers and sloppy play in the second half gave Mayo the opportunity to take control of the game.

“When you battle and are trying to improve and come up short in these close ones, it’s tough,” said Albert Lea head coach Clay Anderson.

After limiting the Spartans to just 14 yards rushing in the first half, Albert Lea (1-6, 1-5 Big Nine) surrendered 86 yards and Mayo made the most of its chances.

The Tigers fumbled on the opening drive of the second half and the Spartans recovered at Albert Lea’s 29-yard line. Eight plays later Ethan Johnson scored from 4 yards out to make it a 14-7 game.

On the ensuing kickoff, the Tigers coughed up the ball, but a Travis Rasmussen interception five plays later made up for the turnover.

Albert Lea had a chance to take advantage of a Mayo turnover and drove the ball down to the Spartans 12-yard line, but a holding penalty against the Tigers pushed them back to a first-and-20 from the 25-yard line. Three incomplete passes and a failed running play forced Albert Lea to turn the ball over on downs.

The Tigers had one final possession, but that ended in the Spartans picking off a pass and returning it for a touchdown.

“Turnovers were key,” Anderson said. “We gave them the second touchdown and get a holding call on a first-and-5. Those are killers.”

Mayo 21, Albert Lea 7

Mayo 7 0 7 7 — 21

Albert Lea 0 7 0 0 — 7

First Quarter

M—Ziegler 34 pass from Miller (Poland kick).

Second Quarter

AL—Grossman 1 run (Cooper kick).

Third Quarter

M—Johnson 4 run (Poland kick).

Fourth Quarter

M—Jordan Ziegler 14 interception return (Poland kick).

Mayo AL

First downs 8 17

Total Net Yards 225 279

Rushes-Yards 27-100 41-162

Passing 125 117

Punt Returns 2-36 5-1

Punts 3-30 5-27

Kickoff Returns 2-26 3-40

Interceptions-Ret. 2-NA 1-0

Comp-Att-Int 6-11-1 5-16-2

Sacked-Yard lost NA NA

Fumbles-Lost 2-1 4-2

Penalties-Yards 7-50 4-55

INDIVIDUAL STATISTICS

RUSHING—Albert Lea, Grossman 22-108, Stolt 9-21, Kriewall 6-8, Hansen 4-25.

PASSING—Albert Lea, Kriewall 4-15-2-65, Klatt 1-1-0-52.

RECEIVING—Albert Lea, Grossman 2-34, Klatt 2-31, Rasmussen 1-52.