(Adrian, MI) – Concordia football traveled to Siena Heights on Saturday afternoon for the team's annual rivalry clash. The Saints started the game strong and jumped out to a 16-0 lead, but the Cardinals made a comeback to send the game to overtime. A 20-yard touchdown pass from Jalen Smith to Seeger DeGayner and a key pass breakup on Siena Heights' OT possession secured a 23-16 victory.
Jalen Smith threw for 86 yards and 2 touchdowns. Cody Wallis passed for 85 yards and a touchdown. Brandon Stewart led the rushing attack with 34 yards. Donovan Johnson was the leading receiver with 70 yards and a touchdown. Seeger DeGayner added 38 yards and 2 touchdowns.
On defense, Chase Maynard and Colby Kohmescher tied for a team-high 12 tackles. Liam Karry finished third with 9 tackles. Alonzo Johnson and Darius Arrington recorded interceptions.
Concordia received the opening kickoff to begin the game. Both defenses held strong early in the quarter, forcing multiple stops. The Saints struck first with a 25-yard field goal to break the tie. The Cardinals continued to look for offensive success and trailed 3-0 after the first quarter.
Siena Heights capitalized on a turnover to add another field goal for a 6-0 lead. The Cardinals started with good field position on the ensuing drive ickoff as an SHU penalty set the ball at the Saints' 39-yard line. The team picked up a first down but a field goal attempt was no good.
The CUAA defense stepped up late in the half. With Siena Heights driving into the redzone, Casey Rauch punched the ball out and Gerald McHenry, Jr. recovered the fumble. The Cardinals trailed 6-0 at halftime.
Siena Heights tacked on another field goal on their first drive of the third quarter. The Saints took advantage of a fumble to score a touchdown and go up 16-0.
The Concordia offense battled back later in the third quarter when Cody Wallis lofted a 48-yard touchdown pass to Donovan Johnson down the left side. On the ensuing 2-point conversion attempt, Seeger DeGayner took a toss after going in motion and passed to Nolan Smith in the endzone. Both defenses continued to hold strong and CUAA trailed 16-8 after the third quarter.
The Cardinal defense made a big impact in the fourth quarter when Alonzo Johnson came up with an interception and returned it 40 yards to the SHU 25-yard line. Jalen Smith was able to connect with Seeger DeGayner in the endzone for a 21-yard touchdown strike to pull within 2 points. Smith then hooked up with Donovan Johnson for a 2-pt conversion to tie the game 16-16.
Darius Arrington made an interception on a deep Siena Heights pass in the final seconds to send the game to overtime.
Concordia started with the ball in overtime and converted on their opening drive. Jalen Smith faked a handoff, rolled to his left and found Seeger DeGayner for a 20-yard touchdown.
The Cardinal defense held strong on Siena Heights' possession in overtime. Facing 4th-and-8, the Saints threw to the corner of the endzone and the pass fell incomplete. CUAA clinched their 8th straight win over their rivals with a 23-16 victory.
Concordia will travel to Taylor next week for a kickoff at 1pm.