SHU Football Ends Inaugural Season with Win over Robert Morris

ADRIAN, Mich. -- Siena Heights wide receiver Raphael Dunson (Taylor, Mich./John F. Kennedy) had six carries for 96 yards and a touchdown while linebacker Tyler Karcher (Middleville, Mich./Thornapple-Kellogg) returned a fumble for a score as the Saints' completed their inaugural season with a 14-3 victory over Robert Morris (Ill.) on Saturday at O'Laughlin Stadium.

On a third-and-5 play in the second quarter, SHU defensive back Marcus Steen (Warren, Mich./Fitzgerald) and linebacker Chris Vann (South Bend, Ind./Adams) met in the Robert Morris backfield and sacked Eagle quarterback Matt Westerkamp.

During the sack, Westerkamp fumbled the ball, which Karcher grabbed for a 35-yard fumble return, helping the Saints to a 7-3 lead with 5:04 left in the first half.

Dunson added insurance points in the third quarter with his 48-yard scamper. On second-and-14, he took a direct snap and worked his way around RMU defenders and down the right sideline. Kicker Jonah Harter (Grand Rapids, Ohio/Otsego) then made his second extra point, giving the Saints a 14-3 advantage

The visitors threatened to close the deficit with a lengthy drive in the fourth. Starting at their own 11-yard line, they marched as far as the Siena Heights 29.

Westerkamp, who led the drive with six completions for 60 yards, was intercepted in the end zone by SHU defensive back Sederick Dunbar II (Detroit, Mich./Ferndale).

Vann and defensive back Dennis Cook (Westland, Mich./Inkster) also had interceptions in SHU territory. Vann made his pick at the Saints' 7 in the first quarter. Cook secured a turnover on RMU's last offensive play of the game at the SHU 35.

On the ground, SHU outgained Robert Morris, 241-15, but the Eagles held a 192-29 advantage through the air.

The Saints held RMU to a 1-for-16 day on third downs. Of the Eagles' 15 drives, 10 ended with punts and four ended with turnovers.

The visitors' only points came on Michael Graf's 26-yard field with 3:57 remaining in the first quarter.

Running backs Jonathan Russell (Midland, Mich./H.H. Dow) and Travis Damron (Warren, Ohio/Champion) contributed to a solid day of rushing for SHU. Russell had seven rushes for 54 yards while Damron compiled 48 yards on 11 runs.

For RMU, Westerkamp completed 17 of 40 passes for 183 yards and three interceptions. Wide receiver DeShawn Weaver finished with 10 catches for 132 yards.

Linebacker Derek Head (Farmington Hills, Mich./Harrison) was the leading Siena Heights tackler, finishing with six stops and one sack. Defensive back Fred Butler (Romulus, Mich./Romulus) was credited with a half-sack.

The RMU defense was led by linebacker Jordan Tuia's eight tackls. Defensive lineman Jay Trappani and linebacker Gary Emminger contributed sacks, linebacker Tom Hughes forced a fumble and defensive back Eric Ray recovered a fumble. Defensive back Doug Sachtleben forced and recovered a fumble all on his own.