Presented by Team Rehabilitation
(Ann Arbor, MI) – Concordia football hosted Siena Heights for homecoming on a chilly Saturday afternoon. The Cardinals jumped out to an early lead in the first quarter, but the Saints came back and held off a late rally to down CUAA 24-21.
Gavin Brooks threw for 135 yards and 2 TDs. Brad Sollom started at QB and threw for 20 yards and the opening touchdown. Brandon Stewart led the rushing effort with 107 yards. Seeger DeGayner led receivers with 88 yards and two touchdowns. Tommie Boyd had 30 receiving yards and a TD as well.
On defense Andrew Wiemer, Casey Rauch and Liam Karry tied for a team-high 9 tackles. Wiemer and Leroy Watson both had an interception with Watson adding 8 tackles.
Concordia kicked off to Siena Heights to open the game. Leroy Watson came up with an interception on the Saints' first series, returning the ball to the SHU 15-yard line. Quarterback Brad Sollom needed just one play to find Seeger DeGayner in the endzone for a go-ahead touchdown.
Both teams exchanged defensive stops, but Siena Heights eventually put together a drive to tie the game. A "pick 6" by the Saints put them ahead 14-7 after the first quarter.
Siena Heights scored again in the second quarter to pull ahead by two scores. The Cardinals capitalized on several SHU penalties late in the half, starting a drive on the Saints' 34-yard line. Gavin Brooks was able to loft a 23-yard touchdown pass over the defense to Tommie Boyd to convert. Andrew Wiemer made an interception on the next Siena Heights drive and CUAA trailed 21-14 at halftime.
Both teams traded missed field goals to start the third quarter. A light rain began to fall on the field and both defenses held strong with no points in the quarter.
Siena Heights added a critical field goal early in the fourth quarter to make it a two-possession game. Concordia threatened a comeback effort as Gavin Brooks fired deep to Seeger DeGayner for a 58-yard touchdown strike with 2:16 left to play.
The Cardinal defense still looked to make a stop with one timeout remaining. Facing a critical third down, Siena Heights was able to pick up the first down and run out the clock to clinch the win.
Concordia will head on the road to Madonna next week at 1pm.
