Seton Hill opened their 2022 football season with a road contest at Wheeling University on Thursday evening.  

In a game that featured three safeties, Wheeling was able to take advantage of four Griffin turnovers and two Griffin safeties as they defeated the Griffins by the score of 25-11.  

Just over five minutes into the first quarter, the Griffins were able to get on the scoreboard first.  Jahiem Thomas forced a fumble on a sack and Wheeling fell on the in the endzone for a safety, giving the Griffins a 2-0 lead.  Late in the quarter a Griffin punt snap went into the endzone for a safety, which tied the game at two after one quarter of play.  

Wheeling scored the only points of the second quarter on a 13 yard touchdown pass with 47 seconds left in the half to take a 9-2 lead into the halftime break.  

Midway through the third quarter, Luke Hauger hit a 20 yard field goal to cut the Cardinals lead to 9-5 with seven minutes to play.  Just over a minute later, Wheeling answered with an 11 yard touchdown run to extend their lead to 16-5 with six minutes to play.  Late in the quarter JaiQuawn McGriff scored from five yards out as the Griffins trailed 16-11 heading to the fourth quarter.  

The Cardinals then marched 79 yards in 16 plays, using over ten minutes of clock to essentially put the game away with a three yard touchdown run with 4:43 to play.  

Wheeling had 20 first downs to 12 for the Griffins.  The Cardinals finished with 305 total yards, including 214 on the ground.  SHU ended with 153 total yards.  

McGriff rushed for 57 yards and a touchdown.  Ethan Fame and Todd Phillips each had three receptions.  Jaylen McDuffie finished with 14 tackles.  Jaden Mack added eight tackles.  

Seton Hill will travel to Shippensburg next Saturday for a PSAC West crossover.