Football Recap: University Piles Up the Points Against Connellsville

It was a Battle of the Birds when University took on Connellsville on Friday. The Hawks blew past the Falcons 52-12. The contest was pretty much decided by the half, when the score had already reached 31-0.

Kaleil Lewis

Receiving Yards (Career)

10/10/25 vs Connellsville	88
10/03/25 @ Butler	71
09/26/25 vs Fairmont Senior	52
09/05/25 vs Parkersburg South	50
08/29/25 @ Musselman	28

A big part of University's victory came down to the chemistry between Harrison Helbig and his top target Kaleil Lewis. Helbig threw for 296 yards and two touchdowns while Lewis picked up 88 receiving yards and one score. Those 88 receiving yards gave Lewis a new career-high. Jack Byrer was in the mix too, providing University with two TDs.

University didn't let much get past them through the air: they limited Connellsville to a completion percentage of just 42.3%. The team can thank Khalil Coleman for the heroic effort on defense: he. University hasn't an opponent to post a completion percentage of 0.54 or higher in four consecutive matchups.

University's defense didn't let Caden Matthews, get away unscathed either: they got into the backfield for six sacks. Connellsville's QB won't forget Ryder Hastings anytime soon given he sacked him three times. Hastings is also crushing it when it comes to total tackles: he's made at least five every time he's taken the field this season. Marcos Kniska was another major factor on D, picking up a sack and making ten total tackles (3.0 for loss).

Connellsville's loss came despite a true team effort from the offense with many players turning in solid performances. Perhaps the best among them was Christian Thomas, who picked up 92 receiving yards and one touchdown.

University pushed their record up to 5-2 with the win, which was their third straight at home. The home victories came thanks in part to their offensive performance across that stretch, as they averaged 42.3 points over those games. As for Connellsville, they are on a seven-game losing streak that has dropped them down to 1-7.

Both teams are looking forward to the support of their home crowds in their upcoming games. University will square off against Spring Mills at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Cardinals' defense has only allowed 10.2 points per game this season, so the Hawks' offense will have their work cut out for them. As for Connellsville, they will challenge Uniontown at 7:00 p.m. on Friday. The Falcons will be up against the Red Raiders' rather soft defense (which has allowed 36.63 points per game), so fans could be in store for a big offensive performance.