ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights football team rolled in the team's home opener with a 40-0 win over the Eagles of Robert Morris University. The final score was the largest shutout victory at home in the short history of Saint football. D'aries Davis continues to lead the offense as he accumulated 113 rushing yards on 17 carries for an average of 6.6 yards.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Siena Heights 40, Robert Morris (Ill.) 0
Location: Adrian, Michigan (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Siena (3-0, 1-0 MSFA), RMU (0-4)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints got on the board early after the snap flew over the RMU punter's head and rolled into the end zone where Andrew McGaughy fell onto the ball to give SHU the 6-0 lead. Brady Tanguay tallied the point after to give Siena a 7-0 lead with 11:24 remaining in the first quarter.
The Saints exploded in the second quarter by scoring a total of 26 points to take a 33-0 lead into the locker room for halftime. Jared Jordan put SHU up 13-0 after a 2-yard touchdown run that capped a seven play, 75-yard drive. Less than two minutes later, Jeremiah Davis scored after returning an interception back for a 71-yard touchdown return. Tanguay's kick increased the Saint lead to 20-0. Deontae' Rush hauled a 20-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Knecht to finish a seven-play, 66-yard drive with 8:24 remaining in the first half. Tanguay made the score 27-0, Saints, following the extra point. Jordan scored his second touchdown of the afternoon with 2:19 left in the second quarter to put the score at 33-0.
After a scoreless third quarter, Jamon Benson scored a 5-yard touchdown rush that completed an eight-play, 45-yard drive that chewed off 4:00 of game time and gave Siena a 40-0 lead after the successful extra point.
The Saints defense remained dominant as they only allowed a total of 60 rushing yards and 131 passing yards for the game. They also caused four turnovers and tallied three sacks in the game.
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• Davis was again the Saints leading rusher with 113 yards and 17 carries.
• Jordan finished with 12 carries 68 yards and two touchdowns.
• Benson recorded 12 carries for 36 yards and a touchdown.
• Knecht was 6-13 passing for 90 yards and a touchdown.
• Will Walker led the Saints in receiving with two catches for 37 yards.
• Deontae' Rush had one catch for 20 yards and the only receiving touchdown.
Defense
• Izayah Newsom led the Saint's D with eight tackles.
• Trevon Claybourne finished with four tackles, a forced fumble, and two pass breakups.
• Griffen Sobol tallied 1.5 sacks and four tackles.
• Jeremiah Davis had three tackles and an interception returned for a touchdown.
Special Teams
• Tanguay was 4-6 in extra points.
• Caleb Meister punted six times for 218 yards and a long of 42 yards. He pinned the Eagles inside their own 20-yard line twice.
THE OPPOSITION
Offense
• Isac Baruelos led RMU in rushing with 10 carries for 66 yards.
• Jake Vincent was 13-30 through the air for 105 yards.
• Noah Cornerford and Keith Franklin each had four catches. Cornerford tallied 29 yards and Franklin had 25 yards.
Defense
• Kenny Kirkland and Thomas Jackson led the RMU defense with 11 tackles. Each player also tallied two tackles for loss. Jackson also forced a fumble to give the Eagles their only turnover of the game.
• Brian Medina scooped up the fumble along with three tackles.
Special Teams
• Tyler Haase had six punts for 206 yards with a long of 37 yards. He pinned SHU inside the 20 once.
UP NEXT
Siena hits the road again next week with a game against St. Francis (Ill.) on Saturday, September 22. The game is set for a 2:00 p.m., EDT, kickoff.
