Notables
-Edwards completes first 19 passes of the game
-The 61 points are the fourth-most in a game in program history
-First time in program history three receivers over 100 yards
DULUTH, Minn. (csssaints.com) – In its first home game since October 5, the St. Scholastica football team recorded two defensive scores and scored 49 unanswered points in a 61-8 rout over Iowa Wesleyan University on Saturday at Public Schools Stadium.
How It Happened
The Saints scored touchdowns on their first five offensive possessions of the game. CSS got the ball to open the game and drove right down in the field in six plays, capped off on a Zach Edwards to Eddie Lee 7-yard touchdown. However, the Tigers (0-8, 0-6 UMAC) blocked the point-after and returned it the other way to make it 6-2.
After the CSS defense forced a three-and-out on Iowa Wesleyan's first possession, the Saints went 89 yards in eight plays and it was Edwards to Lee once again after Lee made a nice grab, then made a defender miss for a 24-yard touchdown. The extra point was no good to make it 12-2.
The Tigers had their best offensive drive of the day on the ensuing possession with six running plays resulting in a 2-yard touchdown run. The PAT would also be no good and the score stood at 12-8.
The Saints responded with a 7-play, 70-yard drive ending with an Edwards to Reese Jansen 15-yard touchdown. A Jacob Carter extra point put the score at 19-8. That was the score at the end of the first quarter as Edwards was a perfect 17-for-17 passing in the quarter.
Edwards completed his first 19 passes of the game before an incompletion in the second quarter. On the first drive of the second quarter, Edwards scored on a quarterback sneak to extend the lead to 26-8. Dominic Klaas then scored on a five-yard touchdown run to make it 33-8.
On the next Iowa Wesleyan possession, an errant option pitch put the ball on the ground and after a long scramble for the loose ball it was recovered by Brayden Mateuszczyk in the end zone to make the halftime score 40-8. Mitchell Adrian had 11 receptions for 99 yards in the first half.
The lone score of the third quarter was a 16-yard touchdown run by Bryceton Butkiewicz to make it 47-8. Edwards' final TD pass of the day came early in the fourth quarter as he found Jensen who out-jumped defenders for the ball in the back of the end zone to make the score 54-8.
The Saints culminated the scoring when the defense recorded its second touchdown of the day as Daniel Voxland recovered a fumble and returned it 38 yards for a touchdown to make the final 61-8.
Top Performers for the Saints
Edwards finished with 421 passing yards on 34-43 passing and four touchdowns, while also running for another. He competed a career-best 79 percent for the game. Edwards now holds the top-10 program records for completions in a game.
Adrian had 13 receptions for 118 yards, while Lee had nine receptions for 119 yards and two scores. Jansen also had two scores on seven receptions for 108 yards. Lee moves into a tie for third on the program list with 124 career receptions. He need only six more receptions to match Aaron Olson's program mark.
Eric Soderberg led the defense with 17 tackles. Andy Lakmann added 12 tackles and sack. Kenny Moore had nine tackles and two forced fumbles. Voxland had a fumble return for a TD and an interception.
Top Performers for the Opponents
The Tigers completed only two passes on the day for 31 yards. Andy Wilson had 66 rushing yards and one touchdown.
Josef McCulloch led the defense with nine tackles and two quarterback hurries.
Up Next
The Saints (6-2, 4-2 UMAC) will have their final road game of the season next Saturday when they face the University of Minnesota Morris. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.