DUTCHMEN ROUT SAINTS BEHIND BIG

DAY FROM ARCIDIACONO

Tom Arcidiacono is a name the St. Lawrence football team will not soon forget. Union’s senior running back rushed for 172 yards and five touchdowns as the Dutchmen defeated the Saints 42-7 on Saturday. The Saints struggled all afternoon to contain the six foot, 210 pound running back who led the charge for the Dutchmen. The loss moves the Saints to 3-4 on the season and 1-3 in the Liberty League, while Union moves to 6-1 and a perfect 4-0 in the league.

 

St. Lawrence got down early after a pair of penalties on the Saints set the Dutchmen up at the Saints 34 yard line. Just three plays later, Arcidiacono rushed for his first touchdown of the game, putting Union up 7-0. The Dutchmen added to their lead on their next possession as Arcidiacono punched the ball into the end zone on a five yard touchdown run, making the score 14-0 at the end of the first quarter.

 

The Saints drove the ball 12 plays, threatening at the Union seven yard line, but they could not muster any momentum and turned the ball over on downs.

 

Union drove 72 yards in eight plays on their next possession as Arcidiacono capped off the drive with an 11 yard touchdown run, putting the Dutchmen up 21-0 with eight and a half minutes left in the half.

 

The Saints had an opportunity to respond on their next drive, but three straight penalties wiped out two plays that would have given the Saints a first down in Union territory. The scoreboard at halftime read 21-0.

 

Arcidiacono continued to run all over the Saints defense in the second half. On Union’s second possession of the second half, he broke loose for a 47 yard touchdown run, giving the Dutchmen a 28-0 lead.

 

The Saints got some offensive momentum on their next possession as quarterback Matt Bezio connected with wide receiver Mike O’Donnell twice, once for a 41 yard pass play. That set the Saints up in the red zone, but they were unable to convert and turned the ball over on downs at the seven yard line.

 

Arcidiacano earned his fifth touchdown of the game on Union’s ensuing drive as he capped off a 17 play drive with a one yard touchdown run.

 

The Saints got on the board with 6:57 left in the game as back-up quarterback Brad Heil engineered a five play, 52 yard drive, and connected with wide receiver Troy Lassial from 16 yard touchdown pass. Lassial made an athletic grab in the back of the end zone to make the score 35-7.

 

Union extended its margin to 42-7 with five minutes left in the game as John Johnson rushed for a 24 yard touchdown.

 

The Saints will play their final home game at Leckonby Stadium at 1 p.m. Nov. 4 against Merchant Marine.