The Albert Lea Tigers football team scored on the first drive of the game Friday but gave up 21 unanswered points to the Rochester Mayo Spartans en route to a 28-14 loss.

Albert Lea head coach Clay Anderson said there were two big moments in the game: a 29-yard touchdown pass from Mayo’s Nate Penz to end the second half and a drive in the third quarter when the Tigers had first-and-goal but failed to score.

“We competed hard and we’re getting better — it’s evident,” Anderson said. “We’re doing a lot of good things but we need to win.”

The Tigers (1-6, 0-6 Big Nine) took an early 6-0 lead on the game’s opening drive, when quarterback Kyle Kriewall snuck the ball into the end zone from one-yard out.

The Spartans (4-3, 4-2) responded with a rushing touchdown of their own to go ahead 7-6 in the first quarter, before scoring on the final play of the half to take a 14-6 lead.

After another Spartans score in the fourth quarter, Albert Lea’s Ethan Abben ran four yards for a touchdown to trim the lead to 21-14.

With just under two minutes left in the game, the Spartans had fourth-and-six in Tigers’ territory but an offsides penalty gave Mayo fourth-and-one. Mayo converted and eventually scored on their final drive of the game.

The Tigers were outgained 338 to 428 yards on offense.

“Defensively, we need to work together,” Anderson said. “Right now we’re not good (defensively).”

Sophomore Ethan Abben led the Tigers offense with 145 yards on 16 carries, behind the stellar block of Alex Nielsen.

“He ran hard,” said Anderson, of Abben. “He made some nice cuts and he blocked well.”

Caleb Gaudian led the Tigers defense with 11 tackles and a sack. Bryce Deboer had nine tackles and Chris Stahl had seven.