Posted: Sep 07, 2013
ADRIAN, Mich. -- Quarterback Travis Zajkowski and tight end Donovan Campbell connected for three touchdowns, but a late drive stalled as the Siena Heights football team's upset bid versus 19th-ranked Grand View (Iowa) fell short, 24-21, in a Mid-States Football Association crossover game on Saturday at O'Laughlin Stadium.
After stopping GVU on a fourth-down play with 47 seconds left, the Saints gained possession at their own 20-yard line and moved the ball to Grand View's 38 before failing to convert on a 4th-and-3 play with 10 seconds left.
SHU (0-1) had led 14-7 at halftime before the visiting Vikings answered with 21 straight points.
The three scores were both single-game school records for Zajkowski (passing touchdowns) and Campbell (receiving touchdowns).
Campbell also tied his own school record of eight catches, which he had accomplished twice before, and broke his own mark for receiving yards with 111.
Zajkowski completed 20 of 35 passes for a school-record 296 yards and one interception.
Defensive back DeShawn Gilbert added two key interceptions in Siena Heights territory.
GVU opened the scoring in the first quarter on a five-yard pass from quarterback Derek Fulton to wide receiver Taylor Goebel, finishing off a 14-play, 62-yard drive that continued after a SHU fourth-down penalty.
After that, the Saints came back with 14 points during the second quarter -- both coming off Gilbert picks.
The first Gilbert interception happened at the Saints' own 2-yard line, setting the stage for a nine-play, 98-yard drive that ended with a 36-yard hookup from Zajkowski to Campbell. The 98 yards matched a school record for longest drive; the previous being a 98-yarder against Olivet Nazarene on Oct. 6, 2012.
Gilbert's next interception came at the SHU 47 and he proceeded to advance the ball to the Grand View 36. Three players later, Zajkowski and Campbell teamed for a 17-yard gain to paydirt.
GVU (2-0) tied the contest with its second-half-opening drive, ending with a 10-yard run by quarterback Dorian Ballentine.
The Vikings took the lead for good in the fourth when Fulton found wide receiver Brady Roland for a 21-yard touchdown connection with 8:17 left.
GVU kicker Ben Hurley tacked on a 23-yard field goal with 5:16 to go -- key insurance points for the visitors.
SHU came back with a 10-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a nine-yard score from Zajkowski to Campbell, leaving 1:40 left on the clock.
The Saints elected to take an onside kick, but did not recover. However, their defense held strong, stopping Grand View on a 4th-and-2 to allow SHU one last gasp.
Zajkowski hit wide receiver Damola Adebiyi with a 15-yard play and then found Campbell for 20 more yards, but the next four plays resulted in only seven yards as GVU held on for the win.
Adebiyi and fellow wide receiver Drew Milligan had three receptions apiece, gaining 46 and 20 yards, respectively. Another wide receiver, Damien Ross, added two catches for 96 yards, including the longest pass play in SHU history -- a 69-yarder from Zajkowski.
Running back Travis Damron added 12 carries for 43 yards while fellow back Dwayne Aaron II contributed eight rushes for 38 yards.
On defense, linebacker Tyler Karcher led the way with 11 tackles and defensive back Sederick A. Dunbar II compiled 8 1/2 tackles and one fumble recovery; the fumble was forced by defensive lineman Jordan Martin.
Linebacker Trenton Bragg added eight tackles, defensive lineman Kyle Connors recorded one sack and defensive lineman Joseph Mravec had two tackles-for-loss.
Gilbert added three pass breakups. His two INTs tied a school record previously set by Dunbar.
SHU will be back in action next Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest at NCAA Division II opponent Saint Joseph's (Ind.).
After stopping GVU on a fourth-down play with 47 seconds left, the Saints gained possession at their own 20-yard line and moved the ball to Grand View's 38 before failing to convert on a 4th-and-3 play with 10 seconds left.
SHU (0-1) had led 14-7 at halftime before the visiting Vikings answered with 21 straight points.
The three scores were both single-game school records for Zajkowski (passing touchdowns) and Campbell (receiving touchdowns).
Campbell also tied his own school record of eight catches, which he had accomplished twice before, and broke his own mark for receiving yards with 111.
Zajkowski completed 20 of 35 passes for a school-record 296 yards and one interception.
Defensive back DeShawn Gilbert added two key interceptions in Siena Heights territory.
GVU opened the scoring in the first quarter on a five-yard pass from quarterback Derek Fulton to wide receiver Taylor Goebel, finishing off a 14-play, 62-yard drive that continued after a SHU fourth-down penalty.
After that, the Saints came back with 14 points during the second quarter -- both coming off Gilbert picks.
The first Gilbert interception happened at the Saints' own 2-yard line, setting the stage for a nine-play, 98-yard drive that ended with a 36-yard hookup from Zajkowski to Campbell. The 98 yards matched a school record for longest drive; the previous being a 98-yarder against Olivet Nazarene on Oct. 6, 2012.
Gilbert's next interception came at the SHU 47 and he proceeded to advance the ball to the Grand View 36. Three players later, Zajkowski and Campbell teamed for a 17-yard gain to paydirt.
GVU (2-0) tied the contest with its second-half-opening drive, ending with a 10-yard run by quarterback Dorian Ballentine.
The Vikings took the lead for good in the fourth when Fulton found wide receiver Brady Roland for a 21-yard touchdown connection with 8:17 left.
GVU kicker Ben Hurley tacked on a 23-yard field goal with 5:16 to go -- key insurance points for the visitors.
SHU came back with a 10-play, 66-yard drive that culminated with a nine-yard score from Zajkowski to Campbell, leaving 1:40 left on the clock.
The Saints elected to take an onside kick, but did not recover. However, their defense held strong, stopping Grand View on a 4th-and-2 to allow SHU one last gasp.
Zajkowski hit wide receiver Damola Adebiyi with a 15-yard play and then found Campbell for 20 more yards, but the next four plays resulted in only seven yards as GVU held on for the win.
Adebiyi and fellow wide receiver Drew Milligan had three receptions apiece, gaining 46 and 20 yards, respectively. Another wide receiver, Damien Ross, added two catches for 96 yards, including the longest pass play in SHU history -- a 69-yarder from Zajkowski.
Running back Travis Damron added 12 carries for 43 yards while fellow back Dwayne Aaron II contributed eight rushes for 38 yards.
On defense, linebacker Tyler Karcher led the way with 11 tackles and defensive back Sederick A. Dunbar II compiled 8 1/2 tackles and one fumble recovery; the fumble was forced by defensive lineman Jordan Martin.
Linebacker Trenton Bragg added eight tackles, defensive lineman Kyle Connors recorded one sack and defensive lineman Joseph Mravec had two tackles-for-loss.
Gilbert added three pass breakups. His two INTs tied a school record previously set by Dunbar.
SHU will be back in action next Saturday with a 1 p.m. contest at NCAA Division II opponent Saint Joseph's (Ind.).
