ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights defense recorded six interceptions, including two which were run back for touchdowns, and claimed a 35-15 victory over Taylor (Ind.) in Mid-States Football Association Mideast League action. With the win, the Saints moved into first place atop the division standings.
Linebacker Nic Acton and defensive back Cha'Quan D. Love had interception-return touchdowns. For Acton, it was his second pick-6 in two weeks and school-record third as a Saint. Love had two interceptions on the game.
Defensive lineman Kyle Connors and defensive backs DeShawn Gilbert and Da'vonte Price also had INTs for Siena Heights (4-3, 3-1).
Defensive lineman C.J. Marious was the team's leading tackler, finishing with seven total tackles. Among those seven stops were three tackles-for-loss, including two sacks. Connors also had 1 1/2 sacks while defensive lineman Michael Vella recorded a half-sack.
On offense, quarterback Travis Zajkowski and wide receiver Raphael Dunson recorded one passing touchdown and one receiving touchdown each. The pair were on opposite ends of two different SHU scores. Quarterback Nick Gilliam also threw a TD pass.
Tight end Donovan Campbell added seven receptions for 67 yards and a score while Reggie Blackmon made four grabs for 56 yards. Running back Dont'e Fox was the leading rusher with 13 carries for 51 yards.
The Saints took the lead on an 11-yard pass from Gilliam to Campbell in the first quarter and then led the rest of the way.
Acton added a 70-yard interception-return dash to paydirt before Taylor running back Conner Faulkner recovered his own fumble for a Trojan touchdown, trimming the SHU advantage to 14-7.
Then, the Saints pushed across 14 more points, getting a 5-yard TD pass from Dunson to Zajkowski and then a 17-yard pick-6 by Love.
The visiting Trojans (4-4, 2-1) tacked on a safety before the end of the first half and then closed their deficit to 28-15 on a 14-yard hookup from quarterback Michael Miller to tight end Hans Lundberg.
Dunson finished out the scoring with SHU's longest play from scrimmage in its three-year varsity history -- an 88-yard run-and-catch on a pass from Zajkowski.
Along with his one reception, Dunson had seven carries for 23 yards and two kickoff returns for 55 yards to total 166 all-purpose yards.
Zajkowski finished 12 of 25 for 193 yards while Gilliam, who received the start due to a Zajkowski ailment, finished 3 of 6 for 33 yards and one INT. Dunson completed 1 of 2 attempts.
For Taylor, Miller had 13 runs for 29 yards and finished 15 of 51 for 167 yards in the passing game. Defensive back Adam Sauder was the Trojans' leading defender, compilng 15 total tackles, one interception and one blocked kick.
Siena Heights will return to action on Saturday, Nov. 1, with an MSFA Mideast game at Saint Francis (Ill.).
