CHICAGO, Ill. -- Quarterback Travis Zajkowski threw for a school-record 476 yards, but the Siena Heights football team suffered a 38-31 loss to ninth-ranked Saint Xavier (Ill.) in a Mid-States Football Association crossover game on Saturday.
Zajkowski made his season debut, completing 36 of 54 passes. He had four touchdowns and three interceptions for the Saints (2-2). Zajkowski's 36 completions were also a school record.
Wide receiver Reggie Blackmon tied his own SHU single-game record with 11 receptions. He accumulated 119 yards while fellow wide-out Aaron Doriot had 10 catches for 156 yards and one touchdown.
Also for SHU, wide receiver Curtis Smith Jr. had five receptions for 110 yards and two scores. Running back D'aries Davis compiled 10 carries for 74 yards and four receptions for 54 yards. Fellow RB Dont'e Fox finished with 14 runs for 69 yards. Wide-out Damon Wright Jr. added a TD catch.
On defense, linebacker Nate Yeloushan had eight total tackles, including two tackles-for-loss. Defensive back Darius Price contributed seven tackles, two forced fumbles and a sack. Two other defensive backs, Da'vonte Price and Cha'Quan D. Love, recorded intereceptions.
Also for the SHU defenders, linebacker Nic Acton had seven tackles and one sack.
The Saints scored 21 points in the first quarter, taking the lead on a 72-yard hookup from Zajkowski to Doriot. Smith scored SHU's first two touchdowns -- one from 62 yards and one from one yard.
SXU eventually took a 24-21 advantage into halftime, which SHU answered in the fourth on a 26-yard field goal by kicker Brady Tanguay.
Saint Xavier (4-1) scored a pair of touchdowns to build its lead to 38-24 in the fourth, including a 51-yard scamper by quarterback John Rhode.
The Saints trimmed their deficit to 38-31 with 2:22 remaining when Zajkowski found Wright for a nine-yard score.
SHU had the ball one final time, but an interception sealed the Cougar victory.
Saint Xavier QB John Rhode went 17 of 41 for 247 yards, two touchdowns and two interceptions. He also had 13 carries for 83 yards.
Linebacker Michael Mettille had 13 tackles for the Cougar defense.
The Saints will return to action on Saturday, Oct. 10, with a noon MSFA Mideast League kickoff at Saint Francis (Ind.).
