Notables
-First UMAC team to defeat the Saints in back-to-back seasons since Martin Luther (2008-10)
-CSS committed four turnovers in the fourth quarter
JACKSONVILLE, Ill. (
csssaints.com) – Much like the 2017 season finale, MacMurray College (Ill.) took advantage of St. Scholastica turnovers to down the Saints 34-20 in Saturday's season finale.
How it Happened
The Highlanders (7-2, 7-1 UMAC) got things started on just the fourth play from scrimmage with a 74-yard touchdown pass to Demetrius Curry. The PAT was no good and the score was 6-0 with less than two minutes of action elapsed.
On its first possession of the game, St. Scholastica marched the ball down the field, but would be stopped on downs on fourth-and-goal. However, the Saints got the ball right back as
Jonathan Senger (Buffalo, Minn./Buffalo HS) forced a fumble, which the Saints recovered. On the very next play,
Zach Edwards (St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) found
Aaron Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) for a 7-yard touchdown. With the
Donovan Blatz (Shoreview, Minn./Mounds View HS) extra point, the Saints led 7-6.
The Highlanders were then stopped on a fourth-and-one on their own side of the field. The Saints took advantage as Edwards found Olson again for a 30-yard TD. The extra-point would be blocked and the score was 13-6 Saints.
The CSS defense forced a three-and-out on the next possession and the Saints were looking to add to the lead. However, Cash Owsley would pick-off Edwards and return it 55 yards for a touchdown to tie the game at 13-13.
It remained 13-13 until the second quarter when a big pass play set up a 3-yard touchdown run by quarterback by Robert Tedesco to make it 19-13. Tedesco then converted the two-point conversion to make it 21-13. That would be the halftime score.
The Highlanders extended their lead to 28-13 on their first possession of the second half with a 56-yard touchdown pass to Devonta Preston.
The Saints responded on the ensuing possession with Edwards connecting with Olson for a third time for a 41-yard touchdown to make it 28-20.
The score remained 28-20 at the start of the fourth quarter where the Saints would drive to the MacMurray one-yard-line. However, the Saints would fumble trying to go into the end zone and MacMurray would recover in the end zone for a touchback.
Once the Saints got the ball back, a Saints interception gave it right back to the Highlanders. The St. Scholastica defense then made another big stop on fourth down to give it back to the offense. However, MacMurray got another interception and this time Chris Blanchard made the Saints pay returning it 75 yards for a touchdown to make it 34-20.
That would be the final as MacMurray forced four CSS turnovers in the fourth quarter. In 2017, the Highlanders forced three CSS turnovers in the fourth quarter and also blocked a punt for a score.
Key Stats
Turnovers: CSS-5, MAC-1
Sacks: CSS-1, MAC-5
First Downs: CSS-23, MAC-13
Total Offense: CSS-349, MAC-384
Top Performers for the Saints
Edwards was 33-of-65 for 303 yards and three touchdowns. Olson had nine receptions for 126 yards and three scores.
Eddie Lee (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) had 10 receptions for 88 yards.
Spencer Ross (Two Harbors, Minn./Two Harbors HS) ran for 40 yards and also had 41 receiving yards.
Senger led the defense with a career-high 18 tackles, including two for a loss and a forced fumble. Senior
Jordan Kittelson (Avon, Minn./Albany HS) added a career-high 13 tackles.
Top Performers for the Opponent
Tedesco threw for 224 yards on only eight completions with two touchdowns. Curry had three receptions for 105 yards. Asa Donaldson ran for 90 yards.
CJ O'Rourke led the Highlander defense with 18 tackles, a forced fumble, an interception and a blocked kick. Reigning UMAC Defensive Player of the Year Javon Muhammad disrupted the CSS offense all afternoon with 3.5 sacks and six pass breakups.
Record Setters
Senior quarterback
Zach Edwards (St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) became the first Saint to throw for over 3,000 yards in a season (3,194) and also set the career-mark for passing yards (5,919) in only his 19
th career start.
Senior wide receiver
Aaron Olson (Esko, Minn./Esko HS) set the program record for career receptions (130) and added to his already program record to finish with 40 career TDs. He recorded all 40 of those touchdowns in three seasons. Junior wide receiver
Eddie Lee (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) finished with a single-season program record of 73 receptions.
Senior linebacker set the career program record for solo tackles (145) on Saturday and finished second in program history in total tackles (276). He finished with a career-high 100 total tackles this season.
End of Season
The Saints conclude their season with an overall record of 6-4 and 6-2 in conference play. The Saints will say goodbye to 13 seniors.
For future news on the St. Scholastica football team; keep checking csssaints.com.
