This Week for Football
Siena Heights (1-2) vs. #25 St. Francis (Ind.) (1-1)
October 2 | noon | Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium | Fort Wayne, Ind.
ADRIAN, Mich. -- The Siena Heights football team looks to open Mideast League play with a win over 25th-ranked Saint Francis (Ind.) this Saturday, October 2. The Saints are coming off a 13-8 win at home over St. Francis (Ill.) and aim to use that momentum to win the second-straight game and get back to .500 on the season. The Cougars suffered a 38-0 loss against Saint Xavier last week to drop to 1-1 on the year.
SERIES HISTORY
This is the ninth meeting in the series between the Saints and Cougars. St. Francis (Ind.) owns a 6-2 advantage in the series. However, Siena Heights won the previous meeting in 2019 (2020's game was canceled due to COVID) by two scores, 24-14.
This will be the sixth time the teams meet inside Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium in Fort Wayne, Indiana. St. Francis (Ind.) is 3-2 against the Saints at home.
ON THE FIELD
Siena Heights
Freshman quarterback Ryan Minor got the start under center in last week's win against the Fighting Saints. He was 14-22 (63.6%) for 128 yards and a touchdown through the air. Hayden Lehmann started the first two games of the season at QB. His numbers passing were 25-52 (48.1%), 285 yards, and 1 TD. Jared Jordan leads the SHU ground attack with 36 carries for 173 yards (4.8 yds/rush) and a season-long run of 21 yards. Kaleb Jefferson has 26 carries for 68 yards (2.6 yds/rush) and a long of 13 yards for the season. Eric Williams II is the favorite target of both passers as he leads the wideouts with 13 catches for 179 yards and both receiving touchdowns. Pianki Abdul-Hakiym, Kaleb Jefferson, and Jalen Vanderbosch each have six grabs for the Saints.
Junior linebacker Kole Murlin anchors the defense. Murlin has led the team in tackles in all three contests during the 2021 season and currently tops the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) with 17.3 tackles per game. He is also second in the country in total tackles with 52. He has accumulated 1.5 sacks and five tackles for loss through three games, along with two pass breakups. Linebacker Nick Stalworth is the Saints' second-leading tackler with 22 on the season. Defensive back Trenton Morrow has 19 tackles, one forced fumble and recovery, and two pass breakups. Gabe Callery comes into this week with 17 tackles, two forced fumbles, and a team-high two interceptions. Jalen Williams rounds out the top-five SHU tacklers with 16 stops. He also has two pass breakups and a blocked punt to his credit.
Anthony Secchi remains perfect for the season in five field-goal attempts. His longest field goal so far this season was a 43-yard boot. He is also perfect in his four extra-point attempts. Caleb Meister has punted 17 times this season for a total of 677 yards (39.8 yds/punt). He has pinned opponents inside their 20-yard line seven times. Eric Williams II has eight kick returns for 218 yards, while Mitch Howell has three punt returns for 37 yards. Williams II leads the Saints in all-purpose yards with 397 (132.3 yds/game).
St. Francis (Ind.)
Heath Simmons leads the Cougar offense at quarterback. The junior passer is 40-59 (67.8%) through the air for 340 yards and two touchdowns. Cameron Peterson and Will Homan split time in the backfield. Peterson leads the ground game with 36 rushes for 161 yards (4.5 yds/rush) and a touchdown. Homan has 22 carries for 121 yards (5.5 yds/rush) for two touchdowns. Jay Segal is Simmons's favorite target with ten receptions for 107 yards. He has scored both St. Francis (Ind.) touchdown passes.
Linebacker River Walsh has a team-high 19 tackles, including 1.5 tackles for loss. Emmanuel Davis has 12 stops, one TFL, and a half-sack. Isaiah Lacey has registered ten tackles and one pass breakup. Damon Hunter and Will Swartz have eight tackles. Swartz has a forced fumble and Hunter a recovery along with an interception.
Jack James is 1-1 in field goal attempts (36-yard long). He has made all six extra-point attempts this season. He is also the team's punter with five kicks for 224 yards. He has pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line twice. Jay Segal is the leading kick returner with three for 68 yards. Matt Kominkiewicz has the only punt return for four yards. Cameron Peterson leads the team in all-purpose yards with 193 (96.5 yds/game).
WATCH & LISTEN
The game will begin at noon EST. Fans can follow the action via live stats and video. The game will also be broadcasted on 96.5 FM The Cave live or online Saturday afternoon.
