ADRIAN, Mich. -- Firing in all phases, the No. 24 Heidelberg University football opened the 2021 season with a resounding win at Adrian College on Saturday evening.  The Student Princes beat the Bulldogs, 48-20.  

Linebacker Easton St. Clair had a big night, filling up the stat sheet with a strip sack, a pick-six, a quarterback hurry and a pass deflection.

Tailback Jace Grossman made the most of his six carries -- finding paydirt twice.

Heidelberg outgained Adrian 527-343.   

HOW IT HAPPENED:

Heidelberg received the opening kickoff and moved the ball 61 yards on six plays for the game's first score. Dimitri Penick hauled in a 38-yard pass from Sims to get HU into the red zone.  There, Grossman plunged in from one yard out.  

After the Bulldogs had moved into Heidelberg territory, St. Clair blitzed and stripped the ball from quarterback Jack Wurzer. Jared Evans pounced on the loose ball for the turnover.  

A quick, yet methodical 12-play drive on the ensuing possession yielded a three-yard touchdown rush by Grossman.  

Later in the first quarter, St. Clair jumped a route in the left flat, picked off  a Wurzer pass and returned it 20 yards for a touchdown.  Branden Steckel's third PAT of the day gave HU a 21-0 lead after the first.  

Midway through the second, Steckel booted a 29-yard field goal.  

After a Bulldog punt, Sims connected with Penick for a 57-yard touchdown strike that gave HU a 31-0 lead with 2:47 left in the half.  

The tough 'Berg defense forced a three-and-out late in the half.  The Bulldog punt was mis-hit and bounced into the umpire, giving HU great field position.  The Student Princes cashed in with a seven-yard touchdown pass from Sims to Maceo Matthews Jr.  Heidelberg led 38-0 at halftime.  

Adrian took the second half kick and embarked on a seven-play, 75-yard touchdown drive to get on the board.  

The Student Princes answered with a 17-yard touchdown strike from Sims to Nick Cofer.  Later, Steckel kicked a 25-yard field goal, giving HU a 48-7 lead.  

Adrian closed the scoring in the third with a touchdown run on a quarterback keeper by Wurzer.  

Wurzer scrambled for another touchdown in the fourth, closing the scoring.  

INSIDE THE BOX SCORE:

St. Clair's pick-six was the first for Heidelberg since Sept. 27, 2017. On that day, Mike Warden and Donovan Walker each had an interception return for a touchdown.  

The 120-yard effort from Penick was his fourth career 100+ yard game of his career

Sims finished with 232 yards and three touchdowns.  

Zach Blackiston, who had a sack in the first half, blocked a PAT in the fourth quarter.  It was the second straight season opener with a blocked kick.  

Heidelberg was 6-for-7 in the red zone … with a game-ending kneel-down serving as their only failed try.  

The Student Princes have won five straight season openers.  

FROM COACH DONALDSON:

"It was a good win, but we have a lot to fix … we made a lot of mistakes and didn't play to our potential.  But, at the end of the day, a win is a win.  We'll take it and learn."

UP NEXT:  
Heidelberg hosts Wilmington (0-1) for the home opener next Saturday. Kickoff at Hoernemann Stadium is scheduled for 1:30 p.m.