The Fighting Scots (1-3, 1-1) entered Saturday's contest against Seton Hill with the No. 2 rank in NCAA Division II with four blocked kicks on the season.

Sir Dennis II and Bishop Simmons would add two more to the Edinboro total, as the Fighting Scots used strong defensive and special teams efforts to capture the first PSAC win of the season, 17-7.

Late in the fourth quarter, a Seton Hill drive was stalled, leading to a field goal attempt by Luke Hauger. Holding just a 3-point lead at the time, Edinboro's special teams defense would secure the win as Simmons block led to a Nick Cunningham 56-yard touchdown to put the Fighting Scots up by two scores.

Head Coach Jake Nulph and his coaching staff celebrated their first win at Edinboro, thanks to overcoming early-season challenges with continual effort.

"I am very proud of this team and the coaching staff," Nulph said. "They never blink when adversity happens. They just continue to work. This was a hard-fought team win."

On the offensive side of the ball, quarterback Jordan Castelli, a transfer from Cal U, completed 12-of-20 passes for 112 yards and one touchdown.
 
Midway through the first quarter, Castelli connected with Mike Watkins on a 22-yard touchdown. A Vicente Arriagada PAT put the Fighting Scots up 7-0 early in the contest at Offutt Field.
 
With the Griffins threatening in the first quarter, Dennis blocked a Hauger kick to prevent points from Seton Hill.
 
Castelli would also lead the rushing attack for Edinboro with 44 yards on 16 carries. Watkins led the receiving attack for the Fighting Scots with 76 yards on 6 receptions and the first-quarter TD.
 
Edinboro would extend the lead in the third quarter with the foot of Arriagada, who connected on a 27-yard field goal to put Edinboro up 10-0.
 
Seton Hill put their first points on the board in the third quarter, thanks to a 40-yard pass play from QB Jack McCormick to Taro Gaither. Luke Hauger's PAT brough the Griffins within reach of the lead, still trailing 10-7.
 
With the Griffins threatening again in the fourth quarter, Simmons sealed the deal for Edinboro with his FG block leading to the final Cunningham touchdown and securing win for Team Nulph.
 
Deandre Dowdell and Saige Ley led a stout defensive attack, recording 10 and 9 sacks, respectively. Tarique Smith and Clay Cunningham fought their way through the Griffin offensive line for one sack apiece.

"We have a resilient group of guys. We are rotating a good number of players on defense, and our veteran leadership is really starting to embrace what we preach in practice," said Tony Papley, Edinboro's defensive coordinator. "It wasn't perfect, but I am very proud of the way we fought to earn the win."
 
The Fighting Scots held Griffin runners to just 3.5 yards per carries and limited the quarterbacks to 4.7 yards per pass.
 
Logan Wiland was the top offensive performer for Seton Hill with 24 carries and 112 yards.
 
Edinboro returns home for the next contest on Oct. 9 against Slippery Rock. The Fighting Scots Homecoming game is scheduled for a 2 p.m. kickoff.