Luke Robillard returned two fumbles for touchdowns, as the St. Lawrence University football team's defense starred in the first half on Senior Day. They helped the Scarlet and Brown to a 38-7 victory in their home matchup against Buffalo State on Saturday.
St. Lawrence forced five turnovers, blocked two punts and got a 97-yard kickoff return from
Jack Finnegan in an effort defined by clutch plays on both sides of the ball.
The Saints now possess a record of 3-6 overall, and pick up their second league win to move to 2-4 in conference ahead of their final league game next weekend.
The Saints wasted no time pulling ahead, scoring before their offense took the field.
Drew Lazcano blocked a Buffalo State punt from the Bengals' 32-yard line, and
Luke Robillard grabbed it at the 5 and ran in for a touchdown with 13:43 left in the first quarter.
Rory McGuire's point-after made it 7-0.
Robillard struck again on the defensive side of the ball with 2:08 remaining in the period.
Dylan Varekamp wrapped up Buffalo State running back JC Dixon II, and Robillard scooped it up at the 32 and returned it for his second score of the day. Buffalo State answered with a JP Plaisime two-yard rushing touchdown on the last play of the opening quarter, and St. Lawrence led 14-7 after one.
Caeden Perreault carried the Saints' offense in the second quarter, finishing a seven-play, 35-yard drive with a three-yard touchdown run around the five-minute mark.
Aiden Centrella then intercepted Amir Cameron at the Buffalo State 32, and McGuire converted a 23-yard field goal as the half expired to make it 24-7.
Finnegan opened the second half with a 97-yard kickoff return to the Bengals' three-yard line, and Lucca Labella punched in the score on a three-yard run right as the half began. Robillard recovered a Cameron fumble at later in the period, and
Brennan Twombly blocked another punt from the Bengals' 15 with 5:44 left in the third. First-year running back Labella covered 24 yards over his next three plays and marched it in for a 38-7 lead.
The Saints ran for 150 yards on 50 carries. Perreault gained 82 yards on 15 carries, and Labella added 38 yards and two touchdowns.
Sean Miles threw for 35 yards and rushed for 27 more.
The defense limited Buffalo State to 136 yards of total offense, including 35 on the ground, and the Bengals converted two of 14 third downs. St. Lawrence sacked Cameron four times, with
Keegan McArdle credited with one and a half.
Savino Morelli led the team with eight tackles.
Jackson Tewksbury ended the Bengals' final threat with an end zone interception late in the fourth quarter in his final home game at Leckonby Stadium.
The Saints honored 19 seniors prior to their final home match. Team managers
Jack Drought,
Jackson Merritt, Johnny Rigolino, and Jack Whittle. They also sent off roster players
Jack Finnegan,
Mark Rodeo, Ben Chapman,
Brennan Twombly,
Jackson Tewksbury,
Savino Morelli,
Robert Townsend,
Ryan Donovan,
Finn Murphy,
Ryan Vaspasiano,
Keegan McArdle, and
Joseph Pickett.
The Saints return to the field on Saturday, November 14 for a road contest in Western New York against the University of Rochester Yellow Jackets.
