Notables
-First game for MSU on new turf field
-CSS' second-ever game vs. an NAIA
-Fourth-straight season-opening loss for the Saints
MAYVILLE, N.D. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team scored touchdowns on its first two possessions, but managed only one offensive score the rest of the way as Mayville State University (N.D.) had the lone score in the fourth quarter, which proved to be the difference as the Comets prevailed 33-29 in Saturday's season opener.
How it Happened
The Saints had the ball to start the game and marched down the field. The drive was capped off on a Zach Edwards third down 8-yard TD run. A Donovan Blatz point-after made it 7-0 less than three minutes in.
The Comets (1-2) answered on their first possession as Trent Momon caught an 11-yard touchdown on fourth down to end a 14-play, 76-yard drive. The Saints would block the extra point and still led 7-6. The Saints took the ensuing drive right back down the field and an Edwards swing pass to Ben Buthe resulted in a 6-yard score that made it 14-6 St. Scholastica. That was the score at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter belonged to Mayville State. The Comets would go 94 yards and Darrel Wilson would haul in an 11-yard touchdown to make it 14-13. Mayville State converted five third downs on the drive. The Comets added one more score in the final minute of the first half on another Momon reception to make the halftime score 20-14 Mayville State.
Mayville State out-gained the Saints 287-202 in the first half. Edwards was sacked four times in the half.
The Comets quickly scored on the first possession of the second half with Momon recording his third TD of the day on a diving effort from 25-yards out. Mayville State led 27-14.
The momentum seemed to turn on the ensuing kickoff though as Teddy Gildersleeve took the kick 83 yards for the touchdown. On the point-after attempt, Christian Rund mishandled the snap, but was able to get up and run it into the end zone to cut the deficit to 27-22.
St. Scholastica re-gained the lead midway thru the third quarter when Edwards with defenders draped all over him found Eddie Lee for a 10-yard touchdown to make it 29-27.
The Saints took that lead into the fourth quarter as the CSS defense made a couple of stops on the Comets. The Saints were then heading to Mayville State territory early in the quarter when a fumble gave it back to Mayville State. The Comets took advantage and literally ran the ball down the field; calling runs on 12 of the 13 plays. Creighton Pfau scored on the quarterback sneak to give Mayville State the lead with seven minutes remaining. The two-point was not successful and the score stood at 33-29.
CSS got two more possessions the rest of the way and moved it into Mayville State territory both times. The first possession would stall at the MSU 30-yard-line. The second possession moved into red zone with less than two minutes remaining, but once again the Saints would fail to convert and the Comets ran out the clock to end it.
Key Stats
Total Offensive Plays: MSU-101, CSS-69
3rd Down Conversions: MSU-15 of 24, CSS-3 of 11
Rush Yards: MSU-282, CSS-43
Sacks: MSU-5, CSS-1
Top Performers for the Saints
Edwards was 22-of-47 for 308 yards and two touchdowns. Aaron Olson had seven receptions for 102 yards. Lee had five catches for 79 yards and a touchdown. Jeff LeMay ran for 37 yards and had five receptions for 75 yards.
Quinten McGregor had a career-high 15 tackles and an interception. Cody Pundsack recorded 14 tackles and Trevor Schwartz had 12 tackles and a sack.
Top Performers for the Opponents
Creighton Pfau threw for 206 yards and four touchdowns. He also ran for 106 yards. Momon had 12 receptions for 115 yards and three scores. Preston Hamlette ran for 116 yards. Ricky Flowers Jr. led the defense with seven tackles.
Up Next
The Saints (0-1) open Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action at Crown College next Saturday at 1 p.m.