Northfield, MN – The St. Scholastica Saints faced the St. Olaf Oles on Saturday, October 19, 2024, in a thrilling contest marked by key plays and dramatic momentum shifts.
First Quarter
St. Scholastica started their first drive at the twenty-two-yard line. Jevon Williams (Willmar, MN) rushed for nine yards, and quarterback Donald West (St. Paul, Minn./Woodbury HS (Iowa Central)) connected with Williams for a first down. However, after a promising drive, West was sacked at the twelve-yard line, leading to a fumble that St. Olaf recovered.
The Saints' next drive was halted by a fumble from Williams, limiting their scoring chances. At the end of the first quarter, St. Scholastica trailed St. Olaf 0-7.
Second Quarter
The second quarter opened with the Saints at the eleven-yard line, where West rushed for an eleven-yard touchdown, narrowing the score to 6-9 after a blocked extra point. Following an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty, the Saints recovered a fumble at their own twenty-five-yard line, allowing West to connect with Ricky Weber (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS) and Nick Schlender (Stillwater, Minn./Stillwater HS) for crucial first downs. West then rushed for a thirteen-yard touchdown, putting the Saints ahead 13-9.
St. Olaf quickly responded with a touchdown pass, reclaiming the lead at 13-16. After an interception by West, St. Scholastica's Antonio Bugni (Rosemount, Minn./Rosemount HS) made a pivotal interception in the red zone. This allowed the Saints to drive downfield, culminating in a touchdown by Jevon Williams (Willmar, MN), extending their lead to 20-16.
St. Olaf managed to score just before halftime, with a touchdown from Will Skemp, ending the half at 20-23 in favor of the Oles.
Third Quarter
St. Olaf began the second half leading 23-20 but struggled against a resilient Saints defense, resulting in a punt. St. Scholastica capitalized, with West leading an efficient drive that ended in a two-yard touchdown run by West, putting the Saints ahead 27-23.
However, St. Olaf responded swiftly, regaining the lead at 30-27 with a touchdown pass from Doran to Menz. Despite starting at their own fifteen-yard line, the Saints encountered a penalty but showed determination as they battled to regain momentum.
Fourth Quarter
The fourth quarter began with the Saints looking to regroup at their own forty-three-yard line. Despite a strong rush by Jevon Williams (Willmar, MN), St. Scholastica turned the ball over on downs at St. Olaf's twenty-nine-yard line.
Capitalizing on this turnover, St. Olaf extended their lead with a field goal, making it 33-27. The Saints began their drive at their own twenty-three-yard line and quickly advanced, with West connecting for a key twenty-nine-yard gain to Benjamin Hunter (Superior, Wis./Superior HS).
Despite setbacks from penalties, West led a touchdown drive, connecting with Ricky Weber (Roseville, Minn./Roseville HS) from eight yards out, tying the game at 33-33 after a missed extra point.
As the clock wound down, St. Olaf mounted a final drive, leading to a last-second field goal that sealed their victory at 36-33.
Conclusion
The game showcased St. Scholastica's resilience, highlighted by key plays from West, Williams, and Weber. Though they fell short, the Saints displayed a commendable effort in a fiercely contested matchup that kept fans engaged until the final whistle.
Next up, the Saints will look to bounce back against Carleton College on October 26 at 1 p.m. in Duluth, Minnesota, at Walt Hunting Stadium-Marv Heikkinen Field.
