Posted: Oct 18, 2018
ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Saints look to bounce back against first-year program Indiana Wesleyan after suffering a heartbreaking loss on the road to defending national champion St. Francis (Ind.) 22-19 in overtime last week.
The Saints come into the game with a 5-1 overall record and a 2-1 MSFA mark. Siena Heights began the 2018 campaign with back-to-back road contests for the first time in program history. The Saints also made history with their first 5-0 start. Siena began the year with a 21-7 win at Missouri Baptist and a 16-7 win at Olivet Nazarene. The Saints then won their home opener 40-0 over Robert Morris (Ill.) before another road win (38-27) over Saint Francis (Ill.) on September 22. Siena rolled to a 40-13 win over Taylor at homecoming that included a three-hour weather delay before the loss to the Cougars.
Indiana Wesleyan is also 5-1 at this point in the season. The Wildcats started the season by giving Taylor (Ind.) all they could handle in a 43-31 loss. The first-year program bounced back with three blowout wins over NCAA DIII Anderson (Ind.) (61-6), Trinity Bible (N.D.) (80-6), and Lindenwood-Belleville (44-7) on the way to a five-game winning streak. Two weeks ago, Indiana Wesleyan edged Saint Francis (Ill.) 35-34. Last week, the Wildcats defeated Lawrence Tech on the road by two scores, 38-24.
D'aries Davis is currently the career-leader in rushing with 2,378 career rushing yard. He is on pace to best his season rushing record set last season (1,023) as he currently averages 123.7 yards per game.
Jared Jordan is currently tied for second-most rushing touchdowns in a season with 10. He is three touchdowns away from tying D'aire Davis's single-season rushing touchdown record of 13.
The Saints are led offensively by the running duo of fifth-year senior D'aires Davis and redshirt freshman Jared Jordan. Davis has accumulated 742 rushing yards so far this season. He is currently averaging 4.8 yards per carry and 123.7 yards a game, which leads the league. Jordan has 396 rushing yards and has scored 10 of Siena's 14 rushing touchdowns. His 10 rushing touchdowns is the most in the MSFA Mideast League.
Siena is currently second in total defense and pass defense, third in scoring defense and fourth in rushing defense. The defensive unit is led by sophomore linebacker Nick Stalworth with 38 tackles including 11 solo and 1.5 tackles for loss. Junior linebackers Logan Smith has 35 tackles and two pass breakups. Trenton Morrow and Griffen Sobol have totaled 32 tackles on the year. Sobol also has 1.5 sacks, three tackles for loss, and has hauled in two interceptions. Morrow has also picked off two passes and forced a fumble.
On special teams, SHU is led by senior kicker Brady Tanguay. Tanguay is 8/11 in field goals (73%) with a long of 43 yards. Punter Caleb Meister has 1065 yards on 29 punts this year. He has pinned six of his kicks inside the 20-yard line and has a season-long of 51 yards.
The Wildcats are led by the running back trio of Joshua McKenzie, Devodney Alford, and Tyrell Phelps. McKenzie has 81 carries for 546 yards and has scored eight touchdowns. Alford has 71 carries for 533 yards and seven scores. Phelps has totaled 56 carries for 361 yards and eight touchdowns. Zack Blair leads the team through the air with 67-115 passing for 1087 yards and 10 touchdowns. Bradyden Smith leads the receiving corps with 33 grabs for 487 yards and five touchdowns.
The defense is led by Payton Marksbury with 38 tackles, 4.0-14 tackles for loss, and two sacks. Brevin Beard has 33 tackles and 3.0-8 tackles for loss. Adam Schantz has amassed 32 tackles, 4.5-12 tackles for loss, and an interception. The secondary is led by Cameron Lauck who has two picks on the year.
Ben VonGunten does the kicking and punting for IWU. He is 4/8 in field goals with a long of 41 yards and has punted 14 times for 488 yards and a long of 51.
The game is slated for a noon, EDT, kickoff. Fans that are able to make the game can watch the video stream, follow the live stats, or listen to the WLEN broadcast via online or by tuning into 103.9 FM on Saturday afternoon.
