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Late Score Sends SHU Football Past Saint Joe's

Late Score Sends SHU Football Past Saint Joe's

RENSSELAER, Ind. -- Tight end Donovan Campbell caught a nine-yard touchdown pass from quarterback Matt Kingwith 41 seconds left on the clock and then the Siena Heights defense held on as the Saints claimed a 35-31 victory over NCAA Division II opponent Saint Joseph's (Ind.) on Saturday.

Following Campbell's go-ahead score, the host Pumas (1-1) began a drive at their own 27-yard-line. They eventually moved the ball to the SHU 5, setting up a first-and-goal with two seconds on the clock. An incomplete pass ended the game.

Campbell had four catches for 68 yards and two scores while King completed 11 of 22 throws for 201 yards, three touchdowns and one interception. King's three TD passes matched a school record set last week by Travis Zajkowski.

King also ran for a touchdown and threw to wide receiver Reggie Blackmon for another while linebacker Nic Actonrecorded the varsity program's first defensive touchdown via interception return.

Blackmon had three receptions for 86 yards, Travis Damron rushed 19 times for 63 yards, and King had 11 carries for 59 yards.

SJC opened the scoring with a two-yard run by quarterback Billy VandeMerkt, going up 7-0 in the first before King scampered for his 33-yard scoring play. Damron had set up King's score with three straight running plays that totaled 27 yards.

On the opening play of the second quarter, the Saints took their first lead on a 31-yard hookup from King to Blackmon and, from there, the lead-trading began.

Saint Joseph's evened the score after a 23-yard run by Braxton Shelton and then took a 17-14 lead on a Gavin Voss 41-yard field goal just before halftime.

After going three-and-out on its drive to start the second half, SHU punted away to SJC, but then took a 21-17 advantage on Acton's 69-yard interception return.

Shelton later scored for the Pumas from four yards out before Campbell made the first of his two TD receptions.

King hit Campbell for a nine-yard score with 7:02 left; SJC then took its final lead on a seven-yard pass from VandeMerkt to JaMicah Cooper with 3:46 to go.

SHU's game-winning drive begin on its own 7. King found Blackmon for catches of 20 and 35 yards. The SHU quarterback later scrambled for a first down on third-and-11.

An eight-yard hookup from King to Milligan put SHU on the hosts' 22 before a pass interference moved the line of scrimmage to the 7. After one incomplete pass, King and Campbell combined the put the Saints ahead for good.

On defense, defensive back Sederick A. Dunbar II and linebacker Tyler Karcher had 8 1/2 tackles apiece. Defensive linemen Kyle Connors and Jordan Martin added sacks. Dunbar also forced a fumble.

VandeMerkt was 22 of 41 for 316 yards for the Pumas, who outgained SHU, 525-350. VandeMerkt also had 17 carries for 69 yards while Shelton ran 17 times for 108 yards.

Wide receiver Alphonso Hines added five catches for 102 yards.

Linebacker Joel Wimbley led the SJC defense with 10 tackles and fellow linebacker Gary Yeoman added an interception.

The Saints (1-1) will return to action on Saturday, Sept. 21, with a noon non-conference game against Waldorf.