Notables
-CSS runs UMAC winning streak to 32 games
-Stepka averaged 25.7 yards per completion, Thompson averaged 37.2 yards per reception
-The six CSS TD passes ties a program record (most since 2011)
-Eureka moved the ball inside the CSS 35-yard-line on seven straight possessions and managed only six points
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – Senior quarterback Kyle Stepka threw for 308 yards and five touchdowns, while also running for another score as the St. Scholastica football team defeated Eureka College (Ill.) 47-6 in its home opener Saturday at Public Schools Stadium.
First Quarter Points
The Saints scored their first points in the first quarter this season when on their second possession, Stepka found Aaron Olson for a 25-yard touchdown. On the previous play, the Saints benefitted on a Red Devil pass interference call on 4th-and-8 to keep the drive alive. The point-after would be no good to keep the score at 6-0.
CSS was pinned inside its own 20-yard-line on its next possession, but Jason Senger unleashed a 68-yard punt to flip the field. That was the second-longest punt in program history. After a three-and-out by Eureka, the Saints took over at midfield. On the first play, Stepka found James Fuerniss on a misdirection throwback pass and ran it in for a 50-yard score. The extra point by Donovan Blatz was good to make it 13-0 after one quarter.
Opportunistic Second Quarter
After a Nick Jerhoff interception and return of 52 yards to the Eureka 23-yard-line. Two plays later Stepka connected with Hunter Thompson for a 23-yard touchdown. The PAT was blocked to make it 19-0. The Red Devils were able to answer for the first time on the day. After converting a pair of fourth downs on the drive, backup quarterback Colton Johnson found Demarcus Heglar for a 20-yard touchdown reception. August Marleau blocked the extra point to make it 19-6.
On the ensuing possession, the Saints drove down the field and converted a big fourth down play when Stepka found Teddy Gildersleeve out of the backfield for a 27-yard gain. That set up a Stepka 7-yard keeper to make the margin 26-6.
Eureka drove it inside the St. Scholastica 25-yard-line on its next possession, but Kenneth Jinkins picked off the Eureka quarterback on a fourth down play. The Red Devils had another chance to put points on the board before halftime, but a 27-yard field goal attempt was off the mark as time expired in the first half.
First Half Stats
The Saints were out-gained in the first half 255-236 with Red Devils running 18 more plays. Eureka also held a time of possession advantage of 20:36-9:24.
Stepka had 217 yards through the air in the half on 9-of-20 attempts. Thompson and Olson each had three receptions combining for 129 yards.
Eureka, the conference's top rushing team entering today, had 110 yards rushing in the half with Leanthony Reasnover going for 70 yards. CSS was held to 19 yards on the ground.
Waste No Time
On the third play from scrimmage to start the second half, Stepka threw a jump ball to Thompson, who came down with it with two defenders draped all over him and was able to keep his feet and run into the end zone for a 66-yard score. The Blatz point-after made 33-6.
After Eureka failed to convert a fourth down inside the St. Scholastica 25-yard-line, Stepka threw his fifth-and-final TD pass of the day, hooking up with Fuerniss again for a 25-yard score to extend the margin to 40-6.
The Saints got their final score of the day in the fourth quarter when Eric Soderberg hit Jeff LeMay for a 16-yard TD to make the final score 47-6. For Soderberg, it was his first collegiate touchdown pass and for LeMay his first collegiate reception.
Key Team Stats
Total Yards: CSS 462, Eureka 413
Total Plays: Eureka 85, CSS 53
Time of Possession: Eureka 37:51, CSS 22:09
3rd Down Conversions: Eureka 10-21, CSS 1-8
Red Zone: CSS 2-2, Eureka 1-4
Top Performances for CSS
Aside from Stepka, Thompson had four receptions for 149 yards and two scores. Gildersleeve had 67 yards rushing on 13 carries and also had three receptions for 38 yards. Jonathan Senger led the defense with 11 tackles. Jack Peru and Jake Zoellick each added nine tackles.
Top Performances for the Opponents
Reasnover finished with 92 yards rushing on 26 carries. He also had three receptions for 35 yards. Johnson threw for 203 yards on 12-of-25 passing. Brett Charlton had three receptions for 78 yards. Chris Friend recorded eight tackles and an interception to lead the Red Devil defense.
Up Next
The Saints (2-1, 2-0 UMAC) remain at home next Saturday when they host Crown College at Public Schools Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. The action can be seen live on Saints Sports Net.