INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. – A strong first half was not enough as the Siena Heights football team fell 27-21 in Mid-States Football Association Mideast League game against No. 21 Marian, on Saturday.
Opening the scoring on the day for MU was Tristen Tonte with a one-yard run into the end zone. A successful PAT from Cameron Fox the Knights went up 7-0 with 5:12 on the clock. Siena Heights answered the following drive, going 80 yards to end in a touchdown reception as Deontae' Rush caught a 3-yard pass from Lucas Barner Jr. Tying it up 7-7 was Brady Tanguay with a successful PAT with 00:11 left it the first quarter.
The Saints started the second quarter with solid defense as Tyaire Bragg took down MU quarterback Luke Johnston to force a fourth down and 12 yards. Starting their drive on the SHU 30-yard line, a 50-yard reception from Barner to Damon Wright Jr. set the Saints up at the Marian 30-yard line. Siena Heights took the first lead of the day as Barner again connected with Wright for an 11-yard touchdown reception with 12:20 left in the second quarter.
Marian had what seemed to be a promising drive before Maurice Woodard was forced to fumble the ball by E.J. Shaah in the end zone, recovered by SHU safety Darius Price at the 9:10 mark in the second quarter. A punt from the Saints' Aaron Wagner set the Knights up at their own -yard line. MU went down the field and Tonte had another one-yard run to tie the game, 14-14, with a good PAT from Fox.
With just under a minute left Marian was set for the final drive of half, until Da'Quan Butler intercepted a Johnston pass to set SHU up on the Marian 36-yard line. D'aries Davis carried the ball 23 yards to get Siena Heights to the 13-yard line with under 30 seconds to go. Barner made a quick throw to Davis who carried the ball 13 yards for a Saints' touchdown. Tanguay again sent the PAT home as SHU went up 21-14 going into halftime.
The Knights (5-3, 2-2 MSFA MEL) came out strong in the opening drive of the third quarter as Mykelti Armstrong made a 50-yard touchdown reception from Johnston with 13:22 remaining. A missed extra point from Fox kept the Saints up 21-20 over MU. To end the third quarter, Tonte again made a one-yard to put MU up 26-21. A successful PAT by Brandon Dowers made it 27-21 in the Knights favor.
The third quarter started quietly, both teams with a possession. The Marian possession was over seven minutes, giving Siena Heights the ball on the SHU 16-yard line after a failed MU field goal by Dowers. The Saints got the ball with 50 seconds left in the game and were unable to get down the field, falling 27-21.
Wide receiver Wright led the Siena Heights offense with 149 receiving yards in 11 catches, including a touchdowns and a long reception of 50 yards. SHU quarterback Barner threw for 222 yards and three touchdowns, earning 22 completions in 37 attempts. On the ground, Davis had 19 carries for 81 yards. He also had four catches for a total of 40 yards that including a touchdown.
The Marian quarterback Johnston also had a long throw of 50 yards while throwing for 221 total yards in 19 receptions. Armstrong led the Knights with 80 receiving yards while Johnny Williams made seven catches for 51 yards. On the ground, Wesley Cook ran for 113 yards, followed closely by Woodard at 107 yards.
Defensive back Butler led the Saints (4-4, 2-2 MSFA MEL) with 13 tackles, nine unassisted, and an interception. Also in the back field, Darius Price earned 11 tackles, five unassisted, and a fumble recovery. Tyaire Bragg made the Saints' lone sack for the day, including two other tackles.
For the Knights, Bradley Mullings made seven tackles including a sack and one forced fumble. Also with seven tackles was Bailey Bennett for MU.
Next up, Siena Heights will travel to Lindenwood-Belleville (Ill.) for a MSFA Mideast League contest. Kickoff is set for 1 p.m. CST (2 p.m. EST) on Saturday, Nov. 4.
