WORCESTER, Mass.– Dom Santiago led the way for the Assumption University football team with five total touchdowns, but the Greyhounds fell to No. 3 Kutztown University 56-35 in non-conference action Thursday evening at Brian Kelly '83 Stadium.
THE BASICS
Score: No. 3 Kutztown University 56, Assumption University 35
Records: Greyhounds (0-1, 0-0 NE10) | Golden Bears (1-0, 0-0 PSAC)
HOW IT HAPPENED
Assumption struck first just 1:47 into the game, as
Dom Santiago connected with
Keith Mancini for a 67-yard touchdown to give the Greyhounds a 7-0 lead. After Kutztown tied the game, Santiago answered immediately with a 36-yard touchdown pass to
John Walsh Karam, putting Assumption back in front, 14-7. The Golden Bears responded late in the quarter to send the game into the second tied at 14.
Kutztown took control in the second quarter, scoring three unanswered touchdowns to build a 35-14 halftime advantage. Assumption's defense continued to generate pressure throughout the half, with
Wesley Ciceron among the Greyhounds disrupting the Kutztown passing attack.
The Greyhounds cut into the deficit midway through the third quarter. Santiago capped a six-play, 55-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown run to make it 35-21 with 7:36 remaining. Kutztown answered later in the quarter with a one-yard rushing score to restore its three-touchdown advantage.
Assumption continued to battle in the fourth, putting together a 13-play, 75-yard scoring drive that ended with Santiago's six-yard touchdown run to make it 42-28. After another Kutztown score, Santiago led the Greyhounds 75 yards in just over two minutes, connecting with
Will McNamara for a 16-yard touchdown to pull Assumption within 49-35 with 4:36 remaining. Kutztown added the game's final touchdown in the closing minutes for the 56-35 decision.
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
- Dom Santiago paved the way for the Assumption offense, as the junior signal caller was 26-for-35 and had three touchdowns, while adding two more scores on the ground for 38 yards.
- Keith Mancini was the top target for Santiago, as he had five receptions for 103 yards and a touchdown. Will McNamara added eight catches for 87 yards and a score. John Walsh-Karam chipped in three for 77 yards and a 36-yard TD catch.
- Defensively, Owen Fitzgerald had a game-high 14 tackles, with Nick Smith right behind him with 13.
- The Kutztown offense outgained Assumption 461-377, while both teams had two fumbles and Smith had the lone recovery.
- The Greyhounds scored 35 points on offense, the most Kutztown has allowed in the regular season since Shepherd University dropped 42 on the Golden Bears on Sept. 24, 2022.
- Kutztown now leads the all-time series 7-5.
UP NEXT
- Assumption at No. 18 Frostburg State University, Saturday, September 12, 12:00 pm.
- Kutztown vs. Clarion University, Saturday, September 12, 12;00 pm.
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