ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights football team lost 10-7 to Concordia (Mich.) in a defensive battle on Saturday afternoon. Kole Murlin highlighted the Saints defense with a game-high 17 tackles on the day.
THE BASICS
Final Score: Concordia 10, Siena Heights 7
Location: Adrian, Michigan (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Concordia (1-0, 1-0 MEL), Siena Heights (0-1, 0-1 MEL)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Saints defense forced a three and out on the Cardinals' opening drive of the game and the CUAA defense responded by picking off quarterback Justin McCown on the first play of Siena's first drive. Concordia drove 14 yards on its next possession and kicked a 30-yard field goal to take a 3-0 lead with just over 10 minutes left in the first quarter. Neither team moved the ball much for the remainder of the first and CUAA took the three-point lead into the second.
Following a SHU punt, Peter Morrison completed a 42-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Johnson to extend the Cardinal lead to 10-0 with 8:22 left in the first half. The Saints responded on the next drive when Eric Williams broke a tackle to complete a 70-yard touchdown reception and put Siena on the board. Anthony Secchi completed the PAT and the deficit was back to three points.
Neither offense did much in the second half. The Saints defense made two 4th-down stops late in the final quarter. The second of those stops gave the Saints the ball deep in their own territory with 1:27 left in regulation. McCown was hit late on the first play, giving the Saints 15-yards on the roughing the passer penalty. McCown completed a 10-yard pass to Jalen Vanderbosch for a first down before a false start penalty moved SHU back for a 1st-and-15. Concordia's defense earned its third sack two plays later and forced Siena to take its final timeout of the game. Tyler Knecht relieved McCown under center and was sacked on 4th down following an incomplete pass to give CUAA the ball back and end the game.
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• McCown finished 12-22 through the air for 126 yards and a touchdown.
• Jamon Benson II was the leading rusher with four carries for 15 yards.
• Williams caught three passes for 80 yards and had the one touchdown.
Defense
• Murlin was all over the field with his team-high tackles and a pass breakup to his credit.
• Trenton Morrow also had a good day with 11 tackles and a pass breakup.
• The Saints defense finished with no sacks and five tackles for loss as a unit.
Special Teams
• Caleb Meister punted nine times for 335 yards, an average of 37.2 yards per punt. He pinned the Cardinal's offense inside its own 20-yard line once.
THE OPPOSITION
Offense
• Peter Morrison was 14-27 passing for 148 yards and a touchdown.
• Keviontae Brown rushed eight times for 26 yards.
• Johnson recorded the one catch and touchdown in the game.
Special Teams
• Wyatt Mast was 1-2 in field goal attempts.
• Casey Rauch had seven punts for 251 yards he pinned the Saints inside the 20 three times.
UP NEXT
The Saints travel to Marion, Indiana next Saturday, March 6 to face Indiana Wesleyan in a Mid-East League matchup. The game is scheduled for a 2:00 p.m., EST, start.
