Oct 24, 2015
Notables
-Just the second time in program history CSS has held an opponent under 100 yards of total offense
-The nine sacks are one shy of the program record of 10 also set against Morris in 2013
-CSS' Ejnik returned a punt and a fumble for TDs, and also blocked a FG attempt
-CSS' Geiselman sets program's career sack record
-CSS' Mangan ties program record with five tackles for a loss
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica defense set a program record with 17 tackles for a loss, recorded nine sacks and held the University of Minnesota Morris to 91 yards of offense in a 32-7 victory over the Cougars on Saturday at Public Schools Stadium.
The Game was Decided When
Trailing 19-7 early in the fourth quarter, the Cougars recovered a CSS fumble in Saints territory. Morris proceeded to pick up a pair of first downs moved the ball inside the St. Scholastica 15-yard-line. However, on third down Joe Geiselman had a strip-sack and the ball was scooped up by Mitch Ejnik, who returned it 79 yards for a touchdown to make it 25-7 with 10 minutes remaining.
The Saints added another score with a little over five minutes remaining when Kyle Stepka found Nick Murphy for the second time on the day to make the final 32-7.
First Half
Both teams struggled to get things going offensively in the first quarter as both teams ran 19 plays in the quarter with Morris having an advantage in yards 64-44. However, the Saints led 6-0 at the end of the first quarter because of an Ejnik 60-yard punt return for a touchdown on Morris' first punt of the game. That is Ejnik's second punt return for a TD this season.
After switching quarterbacks in the second quarter, the Saints found the end zone on offense when Stepka connected with Murphy for a 38-yard to score to extend the lead to 13-0. On St. Scholastica's next possession, it found the end zone in just four plays when Preston Robinson scampered in from a yard out to make it 19-0 at halftime.
Defense Rules Again
The Saints defense did not give up a touchdown on the day as Morris' only score came on a Willie Fust 72-yard fumble return for a touchdown after a strip-sack by Colin Everson with four minutes to go in the third quarter.
The CSS defense set a program record with 17 tackles for a loss on the day, including nine sacks. Morris finished with a rushing total of negative 14 yards. The program record is negative 32 yards against Martin Luther College in 2012. The Cougars were held to 91 yards of total offense, averaging only 1.5 yards per play.
Key Team Stats
Total Yards: CSS-377, Morris-91
Rushing Yards: CSS-95, Morris- -14
Third Down Conversions: CSS-3 of 17, Morris 6 of 16
Sacks: CSS-9, Morris-5
First Downs: CSS-20, Morris-8
Top Performances for CSS
Ejnik, who is a linebacker, had another great performance scoring touchdowns on a punt return and a fumble return. He also blocked a Morris field goal attempt early in the second quarter with the Saints only up by six points. Alex Mangan led the team with eight tackles, including tying a program record with five for a loss. Joe Geiselman set the program's career sack mark with two sacks on the day to give him 16.5 for his career. Five different Saints had three receptions, led by Hunter Thompson with 50 yards receiving. Murphy had only two receptions, but both went for scores. Preston Robinson had 57 yards rushing and 45 yards receiving. Stepka and Mike Mensing combined to throw for 282 yards through the air in place of the injured Dakota Paulson.
Top Performances for the Opponents
Freshman quarterback Devan Griffin threw for 105 yards and had three receivers with four receptions. Jacob Wirz had a game-high 11 tackles for the Cougars.
Up Next
The Saints (7-1, 7-0 UMAC) can clinch at least a share of the UMAC regular season title in the home finale against Westminster College (Mo.) next Saturday. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m. at Public Schools Stadium.