Seton Hill football dodges bullet, beats Wheeling in opener

Playing for the first time in almost two years, Seton Hill caught a break and opened its season with a 16-14 victory over Wheeling University on Thursday night at Offutt Field.

Wheeling missed a potential game-winning, 26-yard field goal with 1:17 to play because of a botched snap.

Seton Hill played a strong defensive game, allowing only 183 yards, including 55 rushing yards on 30 Wheeling attempts. The Griffins were plagued by five turnovers, though – two interceptions and three fumbles.

The last of those fumbles, by Logan Wiland with 2:41 left, set up Wheeling at the Seton Hill 46 for a potential game-winning drive that ended with the botched field goal try.

Seton Hill had a much better night in the field goal department, as Luke Hauger went 3 for 3 to stake the Griffins to a 9-7 lead in the third quarter.

That’s when they scored their lone touchdown, a highlight-reel, 43-yard catch-and-run by Michael Elardo, who took a short pass in the flat and eluded a host of tacklers before breaking into the open field to make it 16-7.

Wheeling’s Jermichael Ison recovered a fumbled by Seton Hill quarterback Chris Jones in the end zone on the last play of the third quarter to make the score 16-14 and set up a tense final period.

Jones was 18 for 33 for 262 yards, a touchdown and two interceptions. Taro Gaither caught six balls for 82 yards. Elardo had five catches for 67 yards.

JaiQuawn McGriff ran 19 times for 87 yards and had a 48-yard reception. Wiland carried 14 times for 44 yards.

Jaylen McDuffie led Seton Hill with 11 total tackles. Dioh Desuah had two sacks. Damonte Pratt picked off a pass.

After canceling last season due to covid concerns, the Griffins were playing their first game since Nov. 16, 2019.