MARION, Ind. -- The 22nd-ranked Saints were upset by Indiana Wesleyan, 17-10 on Saturday afternoon. Jared Jordan was a bright spot for the Saints with 20 carries for 118 yards (5.9 avg).
THE BASICS
Final Score: Indiana Wesleyan 17, Siena Heights 10
Location: Marion, Indiana (Wildcat Stadium)
Records: Indiana Wesleyan (1-1), Siena Heights (0-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
The teams were scoreless through the first quarter of play. The Saints had an opportunity to score in the opening period when a 35-yard field goal attempt by Anthony Secchi was blocked by the Wildcat defense at the end of the first.
Brayden Smith broke the deadlock for Indiana Wesleyan with a four-yard touchdown pass from Xander Stokes at 6:46 of the second quarter. The extra point put the score at 7-0. The Saints responded with another long drive, this one 11 plays for 67 yards. Secchi's field goal this time was good from 25 yards out to put things at 7-3 with just 16 ticks left in the first half.
The Wildcats increased the lead to 11 points off a 51-yard touchdown pass from Stokes to Smith with 11:47 left in the third quarter. A Ben VonGunten field goal pushed the advantage to 17-3 with 1:36 left before the fourth quarter.
Siena Heights pushed the ball down the field and finally got into the endzone with an 11-yard touchdown pass from Tyler Knecht to Pianki Abdul-Hakiym that capped a seven-play, 59-yard drive. The Saints defense forced a three and out to give the offense the ball back with 11:13 remaining. Knecht connected on four pass attempts for 47 yards that helped get Siena Heights down to the Wesleyan 39-yard line. The Wildcat defense responded with a pick on a pass attempt to Jalen Vanderbosch.
Again, the Saint defense forced a three and out but this time, the offense stalled out and was forced to punt on the SHU 34. Indiana Wesleyan moved the ball enough in the next drive to milk the clock and hold on for the seven-point win.
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• Knecht finished 19-29 through the air for 213 yards and a touchdown.
• Jordan had a 26-yard rush on his way to breaking the 100-yard mark on the ground. He also led the Saints with eight catches for 71 yards.
• Abdul-Hakiym hauled in three catches for 68 yards and the lone SHU touchdown.
Defense
• Gabe Callery led the Saints defense with 11 total tackles.
• Trenton Morrow finished with eight tackles, a forced fumble, and an interception.
• Kole Murlin had six tackles.
Special Teams
• Caleb Meister registered three punts for 110 yards for an average of 36.7 yards per punt.
• Eric Williams returned three kickoffs for 63 yards. His longest was 31 yards.
THE OPPOSITION
Offense
• Stokes was 18-25 for 185 passing yards for two touchdowns.
• Peyton Shoemaker led the ground attack with 10 carries for 44 yards.
• Smith finished with eight catches for 121 yards and both touchdowns.
Defense
• Cameron Lauck led with 10 tackles and had a forced fumble.
• Ismael Avila had nine tackles and Jamis Carson had seven and an interception.
Special Teams
• Ben VonGunten punted four times for 188 yards. He pinned the Saints inside the 20 three times. He was also 1-1 in field goals and 2-2 in extra points.
UP NEXT
The Saints return home to host Lawrence Tech next week (March 13) at O'Laughlin Stadium. The game is scheduled to kickoff at 12:00 p.m.
