DULUTH, Minn. — DULUTH, Minn. – The St. Scholastica
football team used big plays and forced seven turnovers to rally
from a 21-10 second quarter deficit to defeat Eureka College 38-21
at Malosky Stadium.
The Saints (2-0) fell behind early as the Red Devils (0-2) marched
down the field and scored on their first possession, going 74 yards
in just five plays to make it 7-0 on an Alex Hess 2-yard touchdown
run.
CSS answered on the following the possession as Alex Thiry threw a
perfect lob pass over the defense to Travis Nehowig for a 31-yard
touchdown connection. Taylor McGinnis' extra point tied it at
7-7.
After the teams exchanged interceptions, the Saints would settle
for a 23-yard field goal from Cole Karsky to make it 10-7. Thiry
would get injured a play prior to the field goal and would be
replaced by Jake Olson the rest of the way.
Eureka responded on proceeding possession by starting in
Saints' territory and taking the lead on an Alex Hess
five-yard touchdown run to make it 14-10 at the end of the first
quarter.
The Red Devils made it 21-10 halfway through the second quarter as
Jordan Krone connected with Wes Schmidgall on a slant and he did
the rest going 67 yards for a touchdown.
St. Scholastica would get a big score at the end of the first half
as Olson hit Keegan O'Neill who broke a tackle and went
43-yards for a touchdown with four seconds left to make the
halftime score 21-17 Eureka.
After the Red Devils were forced to punt on their opening
possession of the second half, it took the Saints just two plays as
Olson once connected with O'Neill for a 57-yard touchdown
pass to make the score 24-21. After another Eureka punt, the Saints
used the ground game, running the ball all nine plays as Travis
Nehowig capped the drive on a one-yard touchdown plunge to make it
31-21 at the end of the third quarter. The Red Devils were held to
just 25 yards and fumbled twice in the third quarter.
CSS added the final touchdown of the game 1:11 seconds into the
fourth quarter as Jonny Bennett caught a 28-yard touchdown pass
that made it 38-21. The Red Devils were then intercepted on their
next two possessions to make the final score 38-21.
The Saints defense dominated the second half, holding the Red
Devils to just 88 yards of offense and forcing four turnovers.
Scott Greening recorded two interceptions, while Jake Turkowski,
Alec French, and Dan Erickson each had one. The seven picks set a
program record for most in a game.
Jake Olson threw for 182 yards and three touchdowns, while Keegan
O'Neill had four receptions for 135 yards. Travis Nehowig ran
for 86 yards on 25 carries and one touchdown. Sean Graskey led the
defense with seven tackles. Chas Lemon recorded 2.5 sacks.
The Saints will take to the road for the first time next week when
they head to Chicago to face Concordia-Chicago in a non-conference
matchup. The kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. and can be heard live
on ESPN Radio 560-WEBC with Charlie Johnson on the call.
St. Scholastica 38, Eureka 21
Sep 11, 2010