Hillburn, N.Y. - The St. Thomas Aquinas College Sprint Football team opened its 2022 season with a thrilling 21-17 victory over the University of Pennsylvania on Saturday afternoon at the Torne Valley Sports Complex.

STAC moves to 1-0 on the year, while Penn falls to 1-1.

A raucous, sellout crowd would come together to celebrate the opening of a new Sprint Football season, with the Athletic Department also recognizing the dedication and unwavering support shown to our student-athletes by the college's employees with Faculty & Staff Appreciation Day ceremonies at halftime.

When the teams took to the field, sophomore quarterback Ryan Kenny would complete 14 of his 22 pass attempts for 180 yards, while throwing three touchdown passes and one interception in his Spartan debut. Teammates Phillip Meikle, Hassan Blakney and Luke McKenna would each be on the receiving end of those Kenny throws for scores.

STAC HIGHLIGHTS AND GAME NOTES

• Phillip Meikle led the way with 66 yards receiving and a touchdowns catch, including a 35-yard reception.
• Reno Molina had 15 carries for 71 yards on the afternoon.
• Sheriffh Bittaye was a powerhouse on defense for the Spartans, picking up 9 total tackles on the day (7 solo & 2 assisted), while 3 tackles were for a loss of 21 total yards. Bittaye also led the sack parade, dropping Penn QB Andrew Paolini twice for 20 yards.
• Starting quarterback Ryan Kenny completed 14 of 22 passes, for 180 yards, three touchdowns and an interception.
• The Spartan defense core compiled 53 total tackles, one forced fumble and 4 sacks in the win over the Quakers.

HOW IT HAPPENED
First Quarter

• Brandon Graves would open the scoring for Penn, receiving a 36-yard TD pass from Andrew Paolini to put the visitors up 7-0.
• A 29-yard field goal by Adrian Montemayor expanded the Quakers lead to 10-0.

 
Second Quarter

• Ryan Kenny would hook up with Phillip Meikle on a 14-yard touchdown pass early in the second quarter to put the Spartans on the scoreboard at 10-7.

 
Third Quarter

• STAC would take its first lead of the contest, midway through the frame, on a Luke McKenna 15-yard TD strike from Ryan Kenny to make it 14-10 in favor of the Spartans.
• Andrew Paolini's 1-yard touchdown scamper put Penn back on top at 17-10 late in the stanza.

 
Fourth Quarter

• Hassan Blakney's 14-yard TD catch courtesy of Ryan Kenny would give STAC back the lead, 21-17, with just under nine minutes left to play.
• Penn would have three chances to pull ahead in the final quarter, but those drives resulted in a punt, turnover on downs and the time running out to give the Spartans the four-point victory.

UP NEXT
St. Thomas Aquinas looks to make it back-to-back wins on a short week, as the Spartans visit Alderson Broaddus University on Friday, September 30. Kickoff is scheduled for 6pm at the Multi-Sport Performance Stadium in Philippi, West Virginia.