(Adrian, MI) The Concordia University Football team used 28 second half points to hand Siena Heights University their first loss of the season. CUAA entered Saturday with a 1-1 record, after coming off of a win over Anderson (42-26) in the previous Saturday.
Neither team was able to muster any substantial offense in the first half until their final drives in the second quarter. Both teams combined for 141 yards until SHU orchestrated their first scoring drive. Siena Heights' Nick Gilliam found Aaton Doriot in the air for 22 yards. The extra point attempt failed giving the Saints a 6-0 lead.
On the ensuing Concordia drive, the Cardinals were able to move the ball well into Saints territory. With the ball on the 5-yard line and :01 left on the clock, the Cards attempted to get on the board with a Brayden Bennett (JR/Battle Creek, MI) field goal. The Saints were able to get through the line for a block which ended the half with a 6-0 Saints lead.
The Saints struck first in the second half on their initial drive of the third. The 7 play 71-yard drive was capped off by a 12-yard rushing touchdown. With the extra point conversion, Siena Heights led CUAA 13-0.
SHU extended their lead on their following drive. The possession was highlighted by a 51-yard pass from Gilliam to Curtis Smith, and capped off by a 1-yard run. The Saints were once again able to convert the extra point and lead the Cardinals 20-0.
CUAA would finally put themselves on the board after two huge plays from Seth Suida (SO/Livonia, MI) and Herman Mason (SO/Lansing, MI). With the ball backed up inside the Concordia 20, Suida dropped back to pass connecting with Mason for 42 yards. Suida found Mason once again on the ensuing play for 44 yards and a touchdown. Bennett added the extra point inching the Cards closing at 20-7.
The defense was able to get a much needed stop for Suida and the offense. CUAA started their possession on the SHU 48. The Cards were able to march down the field and Ashton Gray (JR/Detroit, MI) found a hole on the ground for a 16 yard touchdown run. With the extra point converted, the score sat at 20-14.
Siena Heights answered back on the following possession with a score of their own. The drive lasted 6 plays and 47 yards. SHU looked to regain control by extending the lead at 27-14.
Concordia had different plans for the host Saints in the fourth quarter. The Cards were able to score a much needed 14 unanswered points.
The first seven came in the form of a Suida pass to Corey Turner (SR/Woodhaven, MI) from the SHU 3-yard line. The 5 play 57-yard drive was largely contributed by a Herman Mason 32-yard run putting CUAA into Saints territory. Bennett added the extra point bringing the score to 27-21, Siena Heights.
Concordia's first lead of the game came on their following drive. Suida connected with Kevin Brown-Bayko (SO/Garden City, MI) for a 58-yard touchdown pass. Bennett capped off the drive by giving Concordia a 28-27 lead.
The Saints made one more push to take back the lead on their following drive. Gilliam and the Saint offense put together a 13 play 66-yard drive that was stifled inside the CUAA 20. SHU's Brady Tanguay had a 36-yard field goal attempt blocked.
CUAA was able to take two minutes off the clock before calling on punter Andrew O'Hara (FR/Cleveland, OH) to place a sky high kick on the Siena 2 yard line. SHU looked to speed up their offense with time running out. The Cardinal defense was able to step up in the clutch with an interception by Demarcus Bunn (JR/Belleville, MI).
Concordia burned 58 seconds off the clock before punting back to the Saints. Once again the defense would seal the deal by a Nick Holshoe (JR/Hopkins, MI) interception and capturing the win by a score of 28-27.
Offensively, Suida led the Cardinals through the air by completing 12 of 26 passes for 276 yards and three touchdowns. The Livonia native also ran for 95 yards. Ashton Gray chipped in with 35 yards and one touchdown. Offensive Coordinator, Andrew Rode was very pleased with how the guys responded to adjustments throughout the game. "Our guys made some adjustments and started to execute with some passion in the second half and really got things rolling. It was truly a team win. The defensive made some plays at key moments and kept giving us opportunities."
Herman Mason hauled in 4 catches for 131 yards and 1 score. Kevin Brown-Bayko and Corey Turner earned 3 catches for 87 yards and 26 yards, respectively while tallying 1 score each.
Ty Peterson (JR/Milan, MI) collected 12 total tackles on the night while recording 1 sack. Andrew O'Hara had 10 tackles with 1 sack. Defensive Coordinator, Joshua Schumacher who has been with Coach Pries since he came to Ann Arbor called this a program win. "This was a program win and it raised the bar of expectations. I am really proud to coach these guys. It is imperative we stay humble and continue to get better every day.
Coach Pries, echoed Schumacher's comments with how this win continues to build off the foundation the coaching staff established three years ago. "Our win over Siena Heights is a huge step for our program. Siena is a very good program, they were co-champions of our conference last year, and the win is the first for us in conference play. Being down 20-0 in the third and battling back for the win shows our players' heart and belief in each other.
The win over Siena Heights gives Concordia their first ever Mid-States Football Association victory. The Cards improve to 2-1 on the year and 1-0 in MSFA play.
Up next for the Cardinals is Trinity International University (Deerfield, IL). CUAA will travel to take on the Trojans next Saturday, September 26th with kickoff at 2:00pm EST. The Trojans are 2-1 on the season after losing 45-3 to MSFA opponent, St. Francis (IN) yesterday.
For complete coverage of Cardinal Football, follow @CUAA_Football on Twitter or visit the official home of Concordia University Athletics at www.ConcordiaCardinals.com. You can also check out the official Twitter account of Concordia University Ann Arbor @CUAACardinals for live updates on all Concordia Athletics.
