Notables
-Total Offensive Yards: CSS - 484, IW - 229
-Tigers went 3-of-16 on third down conversions
-Saints held IW to just 10 first downs
-Third 5-TD game for Stepka in the last four weeks
-Five of the six CSS TD's came in the first half
MOUNT PLEASANT, Iowa (csssaints.com) -- The St. Scholastica football team faced Iowa Wesleyan University on Saturday and rolled past the Tigers with the help from a three touchdown first quarter, coming away with a 45-7 victory.
First Half Control
The Saints scored their first touchdown after only 3 plays, driving 35 yards, when quarterback Kyle Stepka found receiver Hunter Thompson in the end zone. Donovan Blatz came in for the Saints and hit the extra point, putting the team up 7-0 after only 50 seconds of the game had passed. The Tigers offense went 3-and-out on their first appearance of the game, giving the ball right back to CSS. Stepka and the offense showed no signs of letting up when Aaron Olson snagged a catch for a 7-yard touchdown, extending the Saints lead to two touchdowns with 11:32 left to be played in the first quarter.
The Tigers were unable to get on the scoreboard, despite a recovered fumble near the half way point of the quarter. With 2:18 left in the first, Stepka found Olson again for a 10 yard reception in the back corner of the end zone, making the score 21-0 heading into the second quarter.
Five minutes into the second quarter, IW had their first shot at getting on the scoreboard, but the field goal attempt was unsuccessful, and so the ball went back to CSS. Five plays and 80 yards later, a nine yard pass from Stepka hit Thompson which put the Tigers behind by four TDs.
The Tigers finally managed to find the end zone on a one yard quarterback keeper by Raul Alvarez. A successful extra point made the score 28-7 with 5:41 left in the half. Iowa Wesleyan would do their best to keep that momentum rolling in their favor and managed to intercept a Saints pass. A few plays later, however, Jonathan Senger would record an interception for himself, putting the Saints back in scoring position with 10 seconds left before halftime. To end the second quarter, Stepka launched a 39 yard Hail Mary as time expired. The pass found Thompson in the end zone, despite him being surrounded by Tiger defenders, for Thompson's third touchdown of the game. With the successful extra point, courtesy of Blatz, the Saints went into halftime leading 35-7.
Slower Second Half
St. Scholastica came out swinging once more at the start of the second half when Jack Peru intercepted a pass just 40 seconds into the third. It was looking like it could be a repeat of the first half, but two plays later, the Tigers answered with their own interception, slowing the Saints seemingly unstoppable momentum. A 17 yard field goal by Blatz put three more points on the board for the Saints, making the score 38-7. A few minutes later, late in the third quarter, Dakota Paulson found Ben Buthe at the end of an eight yard pass for a TD, bringing the score to 45-7. Neither team found much success after that, and the score would not change during the final quarter of play.
Notable Performances for CSS
Stepka had 18 completions in 25 attempts for 264 passing yards, plus five touchdowns. Paulson went 3-for-3 on passes for 55 yards and a TD. Buthe led the offense in rushing with 73 yards on 17 carries. Thompson had a season-high eight receptions for a season-high 180 yards and three touchdowns. Olson had two TDs on three receptions for 33 yards. Jon Senger and Jack Peru led the defense with six tackles each.
Notable Performances for IW
Alvarez had 100 passing yards on 12 attempts. Elijah Fant led in rushing for the Tigers with 95 yards on 12 attempts. Jeremy Gomez was the top receiver for the Tigers with 30 yards on five catches.
Up Next
The Saints (5-1, 5-0 UMAC) will be back in action next Saturday for their homecoming at Public Schools Stadium. Kickoff against the University of Northwestern is set to begin at 4:30 p.m. Follow the action live on Saints Sport Net.