(Ann Arbor, MI) – On a chilly Saturday afternoon, the Concordia football team hosted rival Siena Heights in their final game of the regular season. The Cardinals celebrated Senior Day, recognizing the senior members of the team prior to the game. The CUAA defense turned in a stifling performance in the match, forcing 3 turnovers and limiting the Saints to just 25 rushing yards in a 37-0 shutout.
Head Coach Joshua Schumacher credited the seniors on the victory. "It was a great day for our seniors, said Schumacher. It's not very often you are able to beat a rival, put yourself in a position to make the playoffs, and shut a team out on senior day. This is a special place because we have special people."
Donte Dasalle was the leading receiver for the Cards on the day, recording 94 receiving yards with 3 touchdowns. Joe Conner (SO/Flat Rock, MI) paced the Cardinals' ground attack with 81 rush yards and 2 touchdowns. Seth Suida (SR/Livonia, MI) returned to play quarterback and threw for 178 yards and 3 touchdowns.
Offensive Coordinator Andrew Rode continues to maximize the potential for his versatile unit. "Joe Conner, Seth Suida, and Herman Mason (SR/Lansing, MI) continue to be outstanding playmakers for us, said Rode. The offensive line has led and pounded the rock every week."
Defensively, Andrew O'Hara (JR/Cleveland, OH) led the team with 5 total tackles, a sack and an interception. Tim Koehler notched 2 interceptions in the game. The defense flew around and played with a lot of heart," said Schumacher. "The front did a great job of stopping the run and putting pressure on the quarterback.
Like they have so many times this season, the Cardinals scored on the first possession as senior quarterback Seth Suida methodically led a 15-play, 68-yard opening scoring drive. Suida rolled out to his left, escaped pressure, and found Donte Dasalle in the endzone for an early strike. The Cardinal defense then stepped up and forced a 3-and-out on the Saints' next possession. Later in the first quarter the CUAA offense converted again. Seth Suida fired a dart over the middle to Donte Dasalle for a 32-yard touchdown, his second of the day. Concordia led 13-0 after the first quarter.
In the second quarter the Cardinals added more points as Josh Kukulies tacked on a 27-yard field goal. The Concordia defense was stifling throughout the first half, only allowing Siena Heights to record 27 total yards of offense. The CUAA defense was particularly stout against the run, impressively limiting the Saints to -4 rushing yards in the first half. Tim Koehler came up with an interception and the Cardinals added one more scoring play before halftime. Seth Suida fired a deep pass to familiar target Donte Dasalle who hauled in his third touchdown on a 40-yard reception. The Cardinals headed to the locker room with a 23-0 lead.
In the third quarter the Cardinal defense remained dominant. Tim Koehler made his second interception of the game, giving the ball back to the offense, and Joe Conner rushed for a 1-yard touchdown to extend the CUAA lead, 30-0. Concordia's defense continued to make stops and Andrew O'Hara added an interception for the Cardinals' third turnover of the game.
Just after the start of the 4th quarter Tyler Fehler (SR/Fruitport, MI) took a handoff and rushed for an 18-yard touchdown, extending the CUAA lead to 37-0. Joe Conner and Ashton Gray (SR/Detroit, MI) helped the Cardinals run down the clock by keeping the ball on the ground and Concordia emerged with the shutout.
"Beating Siena Heights means a lot to this team and I am proud of the way our guys prepare every week for the great teams that we play,"aid Rode.
The Cardinals improve to 9-1 on the season with the victory. Concordia will now await the decision of the NAIA Playoff Committee to see if they will make the 16-team national tournament. The NAIA will broadcast a selection show on their Facebook page on Sunday, November 12 at 5:00pm.
