Sep 19, 2015
Notables
-CSS scored the winning score with just six seconds remaining in the game
-The Saints outgained Eureka in total yardage 439 to 371
-Eureka had two failed field goal attempts in the game
-Paulson's 357 yards are fourth-most in a game in program history
-CSS is now 44-0 since 2010 when scoring at least 20 points in a game
EUREKA, Ill. (csssaints.com) – The St. Scholastica football team used two fourth quarter touchdowns to sneak by Eureka College 21-14 in a tight UMAC matchup Saturday that came all the way down to the final seconds to decide the victor.
First Half
Eureka started the game off firing on all cylinders on their opening possession driving 90 yards on just six plays capped by a 53-yard touchdown pass to take a 6-0 lead after a failed extra point just two and a half minutes into the game.
CSS would attempt to answer on their first drive of the game, but came up just short on a fourth-and-2 run by Chris Gassert to turn the ball over on downs inside the Eureka 15 yard line.
The Saints would then dodge a bullet on their second defensive possession when a Eureka field goal attempt bounced off of the upright to keep the score set at a 6-0 deficit.
On the ensuing offensive possession, quarterback Dakota Paulson would engineer a six-play, 80-yard possession ending in a touchdown pass to Nick Murphy to launch CSS in front 7-6 early in the second quarter.
The remainder of the first half proved to be a defensive showing on both sides as the CSS squad forced three Eureka punts in the 2nd quarter alone.
The Saints offense could not finish drives as well as they tried and failed on two consecutive fourth down attempts deep in Eureka territory as the halftime scoreboard showed a 7-6 score in favor of CSS.
Second Half
CSS appeared to be driving well on their first drive of the second half grinding their way down to the 30 yard line of Eureka, however, this drive would again stall out as a Paulson pass fell incomplete in front of Jason Kazlauskas for their third unsuccessful fourth down attempt of the game.
Luckily for CSS, their defense remained stout as they kept Eureka off of the scoreboard for four consecutive possessions ending the final possession with a John Mike interception with 13 minutes left in the fourth quarter.
The Saints offense would then use the momentum swing to orchestrate a drive of 4:26 ending in a Shane Finnegan TD catch putting CSS in front 14-6 with 9:19 to go in the game.
After Eureka punt and another Saints turnover, the Eureka offense found themselves with great field position at the CSS 47-yard-line with just 4:26 remaining on the clock. The ensuing Eureka drive would end with a game tying touchdown on a 19-yard run following a successful two-point conversion as the scoreboard now read 14-14 with just 2:09 left on the clock.
The CSS offense would answer back, showing great efficiency as it rattled off first down after first down on 11 plays, including a key fourth-and-4 conversion to keep the drive alive. This CSS possession eventually culminated in a seven-yard touchdown connection from Paulson to Finnegan with just six seconds remaining in the game as the Saints escaped with a clutch road victory 21-14.
Key Stats
Passing Yards: CSS-357, Eureka-221
Rushing Yards: CSS-82, Eureka-150
QB Sacks: CSS-0, Eureka-5
Field Goals: CSS (0-0), Eureka (0-2)
Third Down Conversions: CSS (5-14), Eureka (1-10)
Top CSS Performers
Paulson finished the game with a career-high 357 passing yards with three touchdowns and a lone interception while Finnegan totaled 61 yards receiving and two fourth quarter touchdowns on six receptions. Mitch O'Neil added five receptions for 66 yards. Mason Bloomquist and Alex Mangan each had six tackles to lead the CSS defense.
Up Next
CSS (2-1, 2-0 UMAC) will be on the road again next Saturday when they face off against Crown College in St. Bonifacius, Minnesota with that game set to kickoff at 3 p.m.