Jackets dealt a setback in home loss to Siena Heights

DEFIANCE, Ohio – Coming off the first win of the season, the Defiance Yellow Jackets suffered a 52-7 loss to the Siena Heights Saints.

The Yellow Jackets (1-3) were held in check all afternoon and were outgained 268-397 while the Saints (1-4) grinded out 235 yards on the ground to earn their first win of the season. Saints running back Brenden Haisenleader was tough to tame for the Yellow Jackets defense as he rushed for 199 yards and two touchdowns.

THE TURNING POINT
Late in the first half, Siena Heights quickly extinguished some Defiance momentum to preserve their 17-0 lead. DC's Coty Johnson II dropped quarterback Elijah Taylor for a sack and forced a fumble that was recovered by David Leconte Jr. Despite good field position near midfield, the Saints forced a 3-and-out and got the ball back to run out the remainder of the half.

Siena Heights made two big plays early in the third quarter to add two touchdowns to their lead. After the Jackets went 3-and-out to start the half, Siena Heights marched down the field and scored on Haisenleder's first touchdown of the game, which was a 15-yard sprint through traffic. On the ensuing Defiance drive, Jehlani Warren fumbled on a rush attempt near his own 20 when the Saints scooped up the loose ball and returned it for a touchdown.

INSIDE THE NUMBERS

• Michale Wingfield delivered the most offense for Defiance, all in a relief role at quarterback in the second half. He scrambled for 54 yards to end as DC's top rusher.
• Caleb Johnson gave Defiance an offensive jolt on the receiving end in the second half, hauling in a team-high seven passes for 60 yards. The freshman receiver also recorded Defiance's lone score of the game with a 12-yard pass from Wingfield with three minutes remaining in the third quarter, which made the score 31-7.
• Jalen Warren snagged six passes but was limited to just 27 yards
• Coty Johnson II topped the defensive stat sheet for the fourth straight game, registering a team-best 11 tackles. He also logged a sack and forced his second fumble of the season.
• Defiance's defense posted the team's best effort defending the pass, holding the Saints to 162 yards. The run defense, however, allowed 200 yards for the third time in four games.
• The Jackets lost the turnover battle for the first time this season as well, turning the ball over three times in comparison to two takeaways.

UP NEXT
The Yellow Jackets host their homecoming game against the Manchester Spartans next Saturday. Kickoff at Justin F. Coressel Stadium is scheduled for 1 p.m.

-JACKETS-