MARION, Ind. -- The Siena Heights football team was upset 28-21 on the road against Indiana Wesleyan on Saturday afternoon. Tyler Knecht threw for 300 yards on 23-46 passing and two touchdowns in the losing effort.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Indiana Wesleyan 28, Siena Heights 21
Location: Marion, Indiana
Records: Indiana Wesleyan (6-2, 4-1), Siena Heights (7-2, 3-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The first quarter ended in a scoreless tie. The Saints took a 14-0 lead in the second quarter after touchdown catches from Knecht to Kody Burton and Jerrold King. The Wildcats got on the board with a 38-yard field goal to cut the lead 11. Indiana Wesleyan would score on a scoop and score to put things a 14-9 in favor of Siena. Knecht was sacked in his own endzone for a safety and just like that, the Wildcats were only down a field goal with just over 3:30 remaining in the first half. Indiana Wesleyan took its first lead with just 40 ticks left in the opening half with a 27-yard touchdown pass from Zack Blair to Caleb Kelley, 18-14.
The Wildcats extended the lead to seven with a 27-yard field goal with just under 10:30 left in the third. Another touchdown pass gave IWU a two-score lead (28-14). Jared Jordan punched the ball into the endzone to cut the deficit to seven points with 1:48 left in the third stanza. Indiana Wesleyan was able to preserve the lead and keep the Saints off the scoreboard for the rest of regulation.
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• Knecht led in the passing game while also contributing on the ground with 26 yards.
• Kaleb Jefferson was Knecht's main target in the passing game as Jefferson caught eight passes for 134 yards.
Defense
• Kole Murlin finished with 14 tackles, two solo stops.
• Gabe Callery finished with 10 tackles.
Special Teams
• Cameron Thompson returned four kickoffs for 74 yards.
• Anthony Secchi was a perfect 3-3 in extra-point attempts.
THE OPPOSITION
Offense
• Devodney Alford rushed 25 times for 109 yards to lead the Wildcats in rushing.
• Blair completed 15 of his 16 passing attempts for 109 yards and a touchdown.
Defense
• Josh Davidson had a game-high 17 tackles, seven of which were solo.
• Cameron Lauck picked off Knecht twice in the game while Justin Frey returned the fumble for the touchdown.
Special Teams
• VonGunten was 2-2 in field goals and 2-3 in extra points. He also punted six times for 288 yards while pinning Siena inside its own 20-yard line three times.
UP NEXT
The Saints get the bye week next week before hosting Marian (Ind.) in the final game of the season on Saturday, November 16. Kickoff for that game is scheduled for noon.
