LEXINGTON, Ky. - The Quad-City Steamwheelers tried a new starting quarterback, a new receiver, a new defensive back and a new defensive end. But they got the same, old result vs. the Kentucky Horsemen on Saturday night at Rupp Arena.

The Horsemen (6-5) galloped out to a 49-28 halftime lead and trotted in with a 75-56 win that sent the Steamwheelers home with a worst-in-franchise-history fifth straight loss.

The loss spun the Wheelers to 4-7 for the season and put their American Conference playoff hopes in serious jeopardy. The Steamwheelers will have to win four of their last five games to avoid just the second losing season in the franchise's 10-year history.

They'll try again to get back on track when they visit the Milwaukee Iron on Friday.

In his first Q-C start, second-year quarterback Brian Zbydniewski didn't throw an interception and completed 29-of-47 passes for 369 yards and seven touchdowns. Six of the latter went to Q-C standout Jesse Schmidt, who ran his season total for touchdown receptions to 43 to best his own year-old single-season record by two with five games to play.

Receiver Brian Jackson, meanwhile, caught 10 passes for 101 yards and a touchdown in his first Q-C game. But fellow newcomers Andre Reed and Josh Taylor were part of a defense that struggled to stop former NFL third-string quarterback Jared Lorenzen and a fast-paced Horsemen offense.

Kentucky's 75 points were the most surrendered by the Wheelers this season. Splitting time with Justin Rascati, the hulking Lorenzen had just 12 pass attempts, completing nine with five of those going for scores.

The Q-C cause was hindered by four lost fumbles, three by veteran receiver/returner Danny Thomas in his second Q-C game.

The first of the latter came on a kickoff after Kentucky scored on the opening possession. Dominic Ross fell on the ball in the end zone, leaving the Steamwheelers down by two touchdowns before Zbydniewski touched the football.

It never got better. Fed by big returns by William Mulder, the Horsemen offense scored on every first-half possession, including on a 58-yard kickoff return by Mulder. Kentucky had 204 yards in kick returns for the game.