FOOTBALL

Siena Heights football comes up short against Olivet Nazarene

Doug Donnelly
The Daily Telegram
Siena Heights University athletics

BOURBONNAIS, Ill. — A fourth quarter field goal is all that separated the Siena Heights University football team from an opening day win on Saturday against 10th-ranked Olivet Nazarene (Ill.), as Nazarene won 20-17.

After the teams traded fourth quarter field goals, the Saints had the ball within the final three minutes before a drive stalled at the Nazarene 45-yard line, handing the ball back to the home team and ending SHU’s potential game-winning drive. 

“We had several opportunities throughout the game, particularly in that final drive, to make plays,” SHU head coach Matt Kohn said. “Unfortunately, we didn’t make those plays when we had to. 

“We left the field on a very positive note. We know we need to improve. This was the tenth-best team in the country at our level and it came down to the last drive of the day.” 

Olivet Nazarene took their first lead of the game at 12:45 of the third quarter, 17-14, on a 7-yard run by Aaje Grayson. A 21-yard field goal early in the fourth quarter put the Tigers up 20-14. Siena Heights pulled within three points with 10:39 left on a 43-yard field goal by Anthony Secchi but couldn’t score again. 

Hayden Lehmann started at quarterback for Siena Heights. Kohn had named Ryan Minor the starting quarterback earlier in the week, but Minor and two Saints receivers had to sit out the game due to Covid protocols.  

“They were unavailable for the game,” Kohn said. “Hayden stepped in on short notice and did a great job. I give our kids a ton of credit. No one complained, no one said anything. It was ‘Next guy up’ mentality.” 

Kohn said that the Saints were somewhat limited offensively with those three key players out. 

“We had some personnel packages put into our game plan that we couldn’t run,” Kohn said. “It’s an unfortunate situation. We are hoping to have them back next week.’ 

Lehman completed 9 of 22 passes for 120 yards. He hooked up with Eric Williams on a 43-yard pass play on Siena Heights’ second offensive play of the game, putting the Saints in front early. Grayson tied the game at 7-7 later in the first quarter then Lehman put the Saints up 14-7 early in the second quarter. 

Nazarene scored with no time left on the clock on a 50-yard field by Bryce Deguira to pull within 14-10 going into halftime. 

Jared Jordan led Siena Heights with 51 yards rushing on 11 carries. Kashon Prather had a 56-yard reception and Williams had four catches for 55 yards. 

Nazarene quarterback David Hutton finished 25-for-39 for 312 yards. He completed passes to eight different receivers. 

“He is as good as I’ve seen at this level,” Kohn said. “He was every bit of advertised. He made some plays on third down and third and long, buying time and finding guys.” 

He did throw two picks – Gabe Callery and Antonio Simley both had interceptions for SHU. Kole Murlin was in on 23 tackles, including seven solo tackles, had two pass break-ups and 1.5 tackles for loss.  

“The kid is just a stud,” Kohn said. “Their offensive coordinator and their head coach were embracing Kole after the game and telling him how much they love him as a player. He’s a special football player and got off to a great start to the season.” 

One hiccup the Saints had was on special teams. A blocked punt led to an early Tiger touchdown. 

“We lost the special team battle a little bit,” Kohn said. “That was disappointing.” 

Kohn said he was happy with his defense.

“This was a team that was undefeated last year,” Kohn said. “They are obviously a very good football team. They return nine of 11 offensive starters and 10 of 11 defensive starters. Us going on the road, being ahead the majority of the game and battling the way we did – it’s all positive. That’s our takeaway.”