Schilling Sets Single-Game Receiving Record as Football Defeats Saint Vincent

(PITTSBURGH, Pa.) – Senior wide out Graham Schilling (Export, Pa./Franklin Regional) set the school single-game receiving record as the Carnegie Mellon University football team defeated visiting Saint Vincent College, 41-13.  Schilling finished with 159 yards on nine receptions while the Tartans improved to 4-3 and 4-2 in Presidents' Athletic Association play.  The Bearcats are now 3-4 and 2-3.

Halfway through the first quarter Tartan senior quarterback Andrew Hearon (Tulsa, Okla./Metro Christian Academy) connected with sophomore wide receiver John Prather (Olney, Md./Our Lady Of Good Counsel) on a 20-yard touchdown fade pass to the back corner of the end zone.  Junior placekicker Gabe Renna's (Carlsbad, Calif./La Costa Canyon) extra point capped off the eight-play 80-yard drive and made the score 7-0.

Sophomore running back Sam Benger (Hingham, Mass.) extended the Tartans' lead to 14-0 on a 10-yard run with 9:13 to play in the second quarter.  Benger's score came on the 13th play of the drive that eclipsed 67 yards.    

Hearon tossed his second touchdown of the first half in the closing minutes when he connected on a 13-yard pass to senior Max Reinertsen (Esko, Minn.).  The score put the home team ahead 21-0 at the break.

The Tartans' fourth score was setup by senior corner back Ryan Aitken's (Alexandria, Va./West Potomac) third interception of the season which was returned 15 yards to midfield.  Six plays later, Hearon hooked up with Prather for his third score and the duos second of the game to make the score 28-0 Carnegie Mellon with 2:42 to play in the third quarter.

Saint Vincent responded, as they drove down the field in 1:41 resulting with a 2-yard touchdown run by Shavonta Craft.  The run made the score 28-7 as the third quarter came to a close.  

Benger added his second score of the afternoon on an 11-yard run five minutes into the fourth quarter, but the extra point attempt failed which left the score 34-7.  The score came following yet another Tartan forced turnover, as sophomore Drew Fitzmorris (Omaha, Neb./Westside) returned an interception 45 yards to the Bearcats' 19-yard line two plays prior.  

Less than a minute later the Bearcats responded when Evan Shimensky connected with Damon Black from seven yards away.  Tartan senior Vince Demarchi (Chesterland, Ohio / West Geauga) blocked the point after leaving the sore 34-13.  

Carnegie Mellon added another touchdown midway through the fourth quarter when sophomore quarterback Bryan Jangro (Jessup, Md./Mount Saint Joseph) found senior Chris Herrera (Miami, Fla./Christopher Columbus) on a 47-yard catch-and-run, to close out the scoring at 41-13.

The Cardinal and Gray outgained the Bearcats 493-276, including 342 yards coming by way of the passing attack.  Hearon ended the afternoon having completed 16-of-26 for 260 yards and three touchdowns.  It marked the third straight game the senior signal caller has thrown three or more touchdowns.  Schilling led all receivers with his nine catches for the school record 159 yards.  Prather grabbed five receptions for 90 yards and two scores.

Benger recorded his sixth 100-yard game of the season finishing with 113 yards and two touchdowns.  The sophomore needs 40 yards to become the school's single-season rushing leader.  

Junior defensive lineman Brian Khoury (Davenport, Iowa/Bettendorf) tabbed his fifth straight game with a sack, as he ended with a career-best 4.0 sacks for a loss of 25 yards and six tackles.  Fitzmorris tabbed seven tackles, five sole, 1.5 for a loss and one interception.  Aitken ended with two interceptions while sophomore Stanley Bikulege (Greer, S.C./Saint Joseph's Catholic) had five tackles, 1.0 sacks and a fumble recovery.

Saint Vincent was led on the ground by Tyler Donahue who finished with 74 yards. Black led the Bearcats receivers with eight catches for 118 yards and a touchdown.

The Tartans will travel to Thiel College for their final road contest of the season on Saturday, October 31.  Kick is set for 7:00 p.m.