ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights football team earned its first win of the season with a 44-7 victory over Lawrence Tech on Saturday afternoon. Kole Murlin was all over the field on defense, finishing the day tied for a program-high with 19 tackles in a game.
THE BASICS
Final Score: SHU 44, LTU 7
Location: Adrian, Michigan (O'Laughlin Stadium)
Records: Siena Heights (1-2), Lawrence Tech (0-2)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Pianki Abdul-Hakiym put the Saints on the board in the first quarter with a 10-yard touchdown catch from Tyler Knecht that capped a two-play, 12-yard drive that was set up by a high snap on a Blue Devil punt that lost 27 yards and gave Siena great field position deep in LTU territory. Anthony Secchi increased the lead to 10-0 with a 23-yard field goal after a seven-play drive stalled.
Hayden Lehmann finished a 9-play, 56-yard drive in the opening two minutes of the second quarter to extend the Saints lead to 16-0. The margin increased to 23-0 when Andrew MacGaughy scooped up a Blue Devil fumbled and scampered 70 yards into the end zone with just 18 seconds remaining in the half.
Knecht connected on his second touchdown throw at 14:11 of the third quarter when he hit Bobby Opalewski wide open in the end zone for 17-yards. Alec Thelen hit the extra point to put things at 30-0 with most of the second half still to be played.
Ethan LoPresto used a fantastic spin move to beat a tackler on his way to a 72-yard touchdown run in the opening five minutes of the final quarter. The extra point pushed the lead to 37. Tyler Kulka prevented the shutout with a 13-yard touchdown pass to Ben Brittain with 7:58 left in regulation that cut the deficit to 30 points, 37-7. Andre Chenault finished off the scoring with a 3-yard run into the end zone for the 44-7 end result.
TOP SAINTS
Offense
• Knecht was 15-20 for 157 yards and two touchdowns through the air.
• LoPresto led all rushers with 80 yards on four carries and a touchdown.
• Jared Jordan was the workhorse for SHU with 15 carries for 65 yards.
Defense
• Murlin had four solo tackles and 15 tackle assists for his game total of 19 stops.
• Gabe Callery finished with eight tackles.
• McGaughy had eight tackles as well as the fumble returned for a touchdown.
• Hayden Sluder recorded eight tackles, one for loss, and a pass breakup.
Special Teams
• Anthony Secchi was 1-1 in field goal attempts with his 23-yard make.
• Caleb Meister punted three times for 88 yards and pinned LTU inside their own 20 twice.
• Eric Williams returned two kickoffs for 114 yards that included a 71-yard return.
LTU STAT LEADERS
Offense
• Kulka: 29-41, 225 yards, 1 TD, 1 INT
• Brittain: 10 carries, 28 yards
• Kendyl Williams: six catches, 69 yards, 11.5 avg.
Defense
• DeMarcus Bush: eight tackles, 0.5 TFL
• Ze'Veon McDonald: six tackles
• Drake Berry: six tackles
Special Teams
• Avery Burch: 1-1 XP
• Brycetyn Hedden: 4 punts, 111 yards
UP NEXT
The Saints host Madonna next week in O'Laughlin Stadium. The game is scheduled for a noon kickoff.
