ADRIAN, Mich. – The Siena Heights University football team got off to a shaky start in the 2022 season opener at home against Olivet Nazarene on Saturday. The Saints strung together three touchdown drives in the second half to overcome a 24-7 deficit and beat the Tigers, 28-24.
Siena Heights was blanked for over 20 minutes of the first half after jumping out to a 7-0 lead with a blocked punt returned for a touchdown by senior defensive lineman Vincent Walker on the game's opening drive.
Olivet Nazarene responded with two touchdown drives in the first quarter and another in the second as the visitors took a 21-7 advantage into the locker room at the half.
A 22-field goal extended the ONU lead to 17 with 9:12 remaining in the third quarter. However, the Saints took things from there. Led by a potent running game, SHU scored touchdowns from William Alexander in the third and Quincy Johnson Jr. in the fourth to bring the margin to a field goal with just 11 minutes left to play.
Eric Williams gave the Saints the lead with a 17-yard touchdown catch from quarterback Ryan Minor. However, the SHU defense stepped up to stop the Tigers on downs for their last two possessions to ice the game.
NOTABLES
• Andre Chenault was the leading rusher for SHU with 78 yards (9.8 YPC) on eight carries.
• William Alexander and Quincy Johnson Jr. finished with 46 and 31 yards on the ground, respectively.
• Zach Keyser led Siena Heights with 11 tackles, while Antonio Simley totaled two sacks, three tackles for loss, and a forced fumble.
UP NEXT
The Saints will snag a bye week before hitting the road to Chicago, where they will face Saint Xavier on Saturday, September 17. Kick-off is scheduled for 2:00 p.m. EST.
