Seton Hill hosted Gannon for their homecoming contest on Saturday afternoon at Offutt Field. The Golden Knights spoiled the Griffins homecoming by rushing for a PSAC record 567 yards in route to a 76-31 victory over the Griffins. Seton Hill drops to 0-7 overall and 0-4 in PSAC play. Gannon improves to 3-4 overall and 2-2 in PSAC play.
The game got off to a good start for the Griffins as they took the opening kick and marched 65 yards in nine plays to take a 7-0 lead.
Evan Byrd scored from one yard out and
Santiago Henao added the extra point for the early advantage for the Griffins. Gannon answered with two quick scoring drives to retake a 14-7 lead with 5:16 to play in the first half. On the final play of the first quarter,
Christian Strong plunged in from two yards out and Henao convered the PAT to tie the score at 14 after one quarter of action.
Gannon scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the second quarter to take a 26-14 lead.
Malik Scott blocked the first PAT attempt and the Griffins stopped the two point conversion try on the second touchdown. The Griffins responded with a field goal drive to trim the lead to 26-17. SHU drove 58 yards in 12 plays, capped by a 31 yard field goal from Henao with 2:18 to play in the half. Gannon closed out the first half scoring with a touchdown pass with 55 seconds to play to take a 33-17 advantage into the halftime break.
The Knights scored two touchdowns in the first two minutes of the second half to extend their lead to 48-17 with 13:06 to play in the quarter. The second TD was set up by an interception in Griffin territory. Seton Hill went three and out on their next two drives and Gannon scored two more rushing touchdowns to build their lead to 62-17 late in the third quarter.
Gannon scored touchdowns on their first two drives of the fourth quarter to build their lead to 76-17 with 8:03 left in the game. SHU responded on their next drive started off by a 56 yard run from
Khalil Owens. Strong found
Cinque Sweeting with a five yard touchdown pass to cap that drive. After forcing a three and out, Strong connected with
Matthew Williams on a 25 yard touchdown pass to end the scoring in the contest.
The Knights finished the game with 30 first downs to 16 for the Griffins. GU had 567 yards rushing and 696 total yards while the Griffins passed for 242 yards and had 355 yards of total offense.
Strong finished the game going 21-41 for 242 yards and 2 touchdowns. Strong connected with 11 different receivers.
Khalil Owens had 70 rushing yards on three carries.
Michael Elardo caught six passes for 72 yards.
Fardan Allen finished the game with 18 total tackles, 17 of them solo.
SHU will head to Mercyhurst next Saturday for a noon kick.
