Notables
-Edwards with a program-record 509 yards passing
-Adrian 11 receptions for 202 yards
-Greenville rushes for 312 yards
-Greenville snaps an eight-game losing streak to the Saints
GREENVILLE, Ill. (
csssaints.com) – Not only did the St. Scholastica football team trail by at least 20 points twice and came back to tie the game twice, but
Zach Edwards (St. Paul, Minn./Henry Sibley HS) also became the first Saint to throw for over 500 yards in a game. However, it wasn't enough as Greenville University (Ill.) outlasted the Saints 40-34 on Saturday in Upper Midwest Athletic Conference (UMAC) action at Francis Field.
How It Happened
The Saints spotted the Panthers (4-2, 3-1 UMAC) a 20-0 lead 17 minutes into the contest. Greenville was able to convert two CSS turnovers into scores during that span.
With one minute remaining in the first half
Brayden Mateuszczyk (Rogers, Minn./Rogers HS) would intercept a Greenville pass and return it 23 yards to the Panther 38-yard-line. On the next play Edwards found
Reese Jansen (Eden Valley, Minn./Eden Valley-Watkins HS) for a 38-yard touchdown to put the Saints on the board and make it 20-6 Greenville at the break.
After penalty halted a CSS drive to start the second half, Greenville made it 27-6 following a 43-yard TD run. The Saints moved the ball into the red zone on the ensuing possession, but were intercepted in the end zone. After a Greenville punt, Edwards found
Mitchell Adrian (Altoona, Wis./Altoona HS) for 64 yards. That setup an Edwards two-yard touchdown run to make it 27-13.
Chase Kleppe (Orr, Minn./North Woods HS) then forced a Panther fumble in the red zone, which was recovered by
Eric Soderberg (Cohasset, Minn./Grand Rapids HS). The Saints quickly responded going 96 yards in six plays capped off on an
Eddie Lee (Maple Grove, Minn./Maple Grove HS) 13-yard touchdown to make it 27-20.
That score stood until the fourth quarter when Kleppe again forced a Greenville fumble, which was recovered by
Andy Lakmann (Sartell, Minn./St. Cloud Cathedral HS). CSS scored two plays on an Adrian 39-yard TD. A
Jacob Carter (Duluth, Minn./Duluth East HS) extra point tied the contest at 27-27.
The Panthers answered on the next possession with a 15-yard touchdown pass to make it 34-27 Greenville. The Saints responded on the ensuing possession, going 71 yards in 10 plays with an Adrian 34-yard touchdown to tie it once again at 34-34.
However, the Panthers marched right back down the field and an 8-yard TD pass with 4:36 remaining made it 40-34. CSS had one last chance and moved the ball inside the Greenville 15-yard-line with 1:30 remaining. The Saints faced a fourth down at the 11-yard-line, but could not convert as the Panthers held on for the 40-34 victory.
Top Performers for the Saints
Edwards threw for a program record 509 yards on 31-of-53 passing with three touchdown passes and ran for another. Entering today, the 509 passing yards tied for the second-most in a game in NCAA Division III this season. Adrian had 11 receptions for a career-high 202 yards and two touchdowns. Jansen had five receptions for 108 yards and a score.
Soderberg had 18 tackles and recovered a fumble. Kleppe had 15 tackles, one sack and two forced fumbles.
Top Performers for the Opponents
Paul Garrett ran for 173 yards and one touchdown. Christian Moss added 128 yards on the ground. George Harris threw for 179 yards and four touchdowns.
Anthony Esquivel had 11 tackles, including 3.5 sacks and three quarterback hurries to lead the Greenville defense.
Up Next
The Saints (5-2, 3-2 UMAC) will have a bye week next weekend and will be in action again on Saturday, November 2 at Public Schools Stadium to host Iowa Wesleyan University.
