Game Leaders
Team Stats
Passing Yards
Rushing Yards
Turnovers
Time of Poss.
St. Lawrence University quarterback Sean Richardson broke free for a 79-yard touchdown run and the stifling Saints defense did the rest as St. Lawrence posted an 8-0 victory over the United States Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Saturday afternoon at Brooks Stadium in Kings Point, N.Y.
After a scoreless first half, the St. Lawrence (7-0 overall, 4-0 Liberty League) defense forced a three-and-out drive on the first possession for the Mariners (4-3, 3-2). The Saints started the drive at the 22 yard line and after an incomplete pass on the first play, Richardson scrambled out of the backfield and found open space to the right as he raced past two defenders to run up the sideline and into the end zone for the only score of the game.
The run was the longest from scrimmage since 2012 for St. Lawrence. Ethan Sutton had an 80-yard touchdown run on Sept. 25, 2012 against USMMA.
A mishandled snap on the extra point attempt turned into a two-point conversion as Tyler Burns ran into the end zone to give SLU an 8-0 lead.
The defense, led by a 20-tackle performance by Skyler Williamson, took over and continued to hold the Mariners out of the end zone to record the fourth shutout of the season.
USMMA drove into St. Lawrence territory early in the fourth quarter but a fumble at the 46 yard line was recovered by James Holley-Grisham giving the ball back to St. Lawrence.
After Austen Lauricella punted and pinned the Mariners inside the 10-yard line, USMMA put together another drive that included a 67-yard pass play and pushed the ball all the way to the St. Lawrence 21-yard line. A fourth down forced the Mariners to attempt a field goal but the kick sailed wide left keeping the score 8-0.
On the next USMMA drive, the Mariners drove 50 yards to the SLU 11-yard line but the defense stood strong again for the Saints. Tyler Mirabile knocked down a fourth-down pass attempt at the line forcing a turnover on downs and the Saints ran out the clock for the win.
Richardson finished with 161 yards passing in the rainy conditions and also had 91 yards rushing for the Saints. Rodrick Payne ran for 79 yards on 19 carries and Vincenzo Ferraro led the receivers with 10 catches and 85 yards.
Williamson, who was named the St. Lawrence MVP for the game, had a career-high 20 tackles including 1 ½ for loss and a sack. Jayson Leigh, Riley Cott and Ryan Byrne had nine tackles each.
The Saints return home Oct. 29 to face Union on Homecoming and Hall of Fame weekend at Leckonby Stadium in Canton.