BELLEVILLE, Ill. -- Quarterback Nick Gilliam threw five touchdown passes and wide receiver Aaron Doriot recorded 165 receiving yards -- both of which were school records -- as the Siena Heights football team opened its season with a 45-20 Mid-States Football Association Mideast League win over Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) on Saturday.
After expected starting QB Travis Zajkowski was ruled inactive during pregame activities, Gilliam made the most of his opportunity, completing 20 of 34 passes for 362 yards and the five scores. He tossed three TDs during the Saints' 28-point third quarter.
Doriot had five receptions -- two for touchdowns. Wide receiver Curtis Smith Jr. added six catches for 66 yards and one score while fellow wide-out Damon Wright Jr. finished with five grabs for 49 yards and a TD.
Reggie Blackmon aided both the SHU offense and special teams. He had four catches for 82 yards and one TD. Blackmon also returned three punts for 79 yards.
Tony Addison was SHU's leading rusher with 10 carries for 44 yards. Seth McIntosh had a TD run.
According to the unofficial defense totals, linebacker Nate Yeloushan led the Saints with 11 total tackles while fellow linebacker accumulated Angelo Whittis was in on seven stops.
As a unit, SHU had nine tackles-for-loss. Defensive back Darius Price recorded an interception. Defensive linemen Cohen Canter and Marquise Lavonte White combined for a sack.
SHU took a 14-0 lead in the first quarter on Gilliam's 31- and 9-yard touchdown passes to Smith and Wright, respectively.
Belleville quarterback Tarean Austin had a 10-yard TD run, pulling the Lynx within 14-7 in the second quarter before SHU kicker Brady Tanguay hit a 25-yard field goal to forge a 17-7 Siena Heights halftime lead.
The Saints erupted in the third quarter as Gilliam completed touchdown passes of 39 and 33 yards to Doriot and 45 yards to Blackmon. McIntosh had his TD run from five yards out.
Siena Heights scored its last points with a third-quarter safety.
Austin had nine carries for 49 yards for the Lynx offense. He completed 11 of 37 throws for 102 yards.
LUB linebacker T.J. Onstott tallied 11 total tackles.
Gilliam's five touchdown passes broke the previous record shared by Zajkowski and Matt King -- both of whom had three-touchdown games.
Doriot claimed his record from former tight end Donovan Campbell, who ironically watched the game from his color-commentating position with the Siena Heights Sports Network.
The Saints (1-0, 1-0) will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 12, with a 12 p.m. MSFA Mideast home contest against Missouri Baptist.
