This Week for Football
Siena Heights (2-2) at #5 Concordia (Mich.) (3-0)
October 9 | 1:00 p.m. | Cardinal Stadium | Ann Arbor, Mich.
ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights football team faces Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) Mideast rival #5 Concordia (Mich.) on the road this Saturday, October 9. This season, the Saints enter the week after a second-straight victory with a 27-17 win over then 25th-ranked St. Francis (Ind.) in Fort Wayne, Indiana. The Cardinals scored late in the fourth quarter to break a 21-21 tie with #11 Indiana Wesleyan and hold on for a 28-21 victory to remain undefeated.
SERIES HISTORY
Siena Heights is 3-6 against Concordia (Mich.) since the teams began playing one another in football back in 2012. However, after winning the first three matchups against the Cardinals, CUAA has held onto a six-game winning streak that includes a 10-7 final score in the last two meetings.
The Saints are 2-3 against Concordia (Mich.) in games played in Ann Arbor. The Cardinals needed a late touchdown to win the last time the Saints came to town in 2019.
ON THE FIELD
Siena Heights
Ryan Minor has led the Saints under center the past two weeks. He is 28-46 for 312 yards passing and three touchdowns. He also added a rushing touchdown in the win over the Cougars last week. Jared Jordan and Kaleb Jefferson split time in the backfield for SHU. Jordan leads the team with 50 carries for 220 yards (4.4 AVG). Jefferson has 42 rushes for 114 yards (2.7 AVG). Eric Williams II is the team's main threat out wide. He has 18 catches for 292 yards and three of the Saints' four touchdown receptions. Jefferson is second on the team with seven receptions for 21 yards. Pianki Abdul-Hakiym and Jalen Vanderbosch have six catches each. Abdul-Hakiym has 32 yards, while Vanderbosch has 37.
Linebacker Kole Murlin has a team-high 53 tackles on the year. He has five tackles for loss and 1.5 sacks so far this season. He is currently tied for second-most tackles per game in the NAIA with 13.3 stops. Trenton Morrow has 27 tackles, three pass breakups, two forced fumbles, one fumble recovery, and 0.5 tackles for loss. Nick Stalworth is third on the team in tackles with 22. Jalen Williams has 21 stops, three pass breakups, and has blocked a punt. Daneille Lowe Jr. is fifth with 19 tackles, 2.5 tackles for loss, and an interception. Gabe Callery leads the Saints' defense with two picks this season.
Anthony Secchi has made seven of his eight field-goal attempts this season and leads the team in scoring with 28 points. His longest kick to date was a 44-yard field goal. He remains a perfect 7-7 in extra-point attempts for 2021. Caleb Meister has punted 20 times for 776 yards (38.8 AVG). His season-long is 55 yards, and he has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line eight times. Eric Williams II has 11 kick returns for 317 yards. Mitch Howell has returned five punts for 50 yards. Williams II leads SHU with 603 all-purpose yards.
Concordia (Mich.)
Gavin Brooks is 61-104 passing for 632 yards and seven touchdowns. He has also rushed for a score. Keirell Jackson is the teams leading rusher with 215 yards on 40 carries and two touchdowns. Parker Graham has hauled in 16 passes for 181 yards and two touchdowns. Luke Wilson has also caught two touchdown passes and totals 95 yards receiving on nine catches.
Linebacker Casey Rauch leads the defense with 33 tackles. He has also added 4.5 tackles for loss and half a sack to his totals. Fellow linebacker Aaron Rahn has 28 tackles and 3.5 tackles for loss. Conner Long and Hunter Maynard each have 24 tackles. Both defenders have forced a fumble. Maynards has one interception as well. Gabe Whitmore leads the team with two picks and is fifth on the team in tackles with 18.
Luis Gomez is 1-3 in field-goal attempts and 9-11 in extra points. His only success came on a 24-yard field goal. Casey Rauch has 872 yards on 19 punts. He has pinned opponents inside their own 20-yard line 10 times. Seegar DeGayner has returned five kick-offs for 87 yards and two punts for 10 yards. Dakota Hobbs is the primary punt returner with three returns for 90 yards. Keirell Jackson leads the Cardinals in all-purpose yards with 224 total yards.
WATCH AND LISTE
The game will begin at 1:00 p.m. EST. Fans can follow the action via live stats and video. The game will also be broadcasted on 96.5 FM The Cave live or online during the contest.
Follow the Saints: Twitter | Facebook | Instagram | YouTube
