JOLIET, Ill. – Today's high-stakes matchup between St. Francis and Saint Xavier wrote another enthralling chapter in the Saints-Cougars rivalry. In the end, the Cougars took control of the MSFA Midwest League with a 30-28 victory.
Both defenses found the end zone in the first half. The Saints (3-5, 2-1 MSFA Midwest) led 14-0, but the Cougars (7-1, 3-0 MSFA Midwest) scored 27 unanswered points to lead 27-14 at the half. St. Francis came out strong in the third quarter, retaking the advantage at 28-27 and setting up a thrilling fourth quarter.
Although only three points were scored in the final stanza, both teams made big plays. The Cougars jumped in front early in the quarter, capping a 19-play, 75-yard drive with a 20-yard Abdul Mahdi field goal. On the ensuing possession, USF moved into SXU territory and tried a field goal of its own in an attempt to retake the advantage, but SXU's Kevin Block came off the edge and blocked the kick.
Looking to extend their lead, the Cougars hit a pair of long pass plays to reach plus territory. However, on the fifth play of the drive, Roger Thigpen (Plainfield, Ill./Plainfield Central) stepped in front of a screen pass for a key interception. Thigpen returned it down the right sideline to the Saint Xavier 46-yard line.
In SXU territory needing a score to take the lead, USF converted its first fourth-down play on a seven-yard pass from Aaron Ellis (Valparaiso, Ind./Boone Grove) to Lexus Jackson (University Park, Ill./Crete-Monee). However, facing another fourth down later in the drive, the Saints could not convert as an Ellis pass fell incomplete. The Cougars were able to run the final 2:25 off the clock to take the victory and earn the inside track to the conference title.
After both teams punted on their first drives of the day, USF's defense opened the scoring in style. SXU's Alex Martinez tried to swing a pass to the left and Alex Zlomie (Wilmington, Ill./Wilmington) made an incredible play. The junior leaped high into the air, getting a hand on the ball, bringing it down and then returning his interception 50 yards for a score.
After another stop for the St. Francis defense, the Saints' offense needed just four plays to go 60 yards. Ellis capped the drive with a 40-yard touchdown strike to Brandon Ruffin (Peoria, Ill./Peoria). With his two receiving scores today, Ruffin tied the USF career record for touchdown receptions with 20.
Trailing 14-0, Saint Xavier found its stride, scoring 27 unanswered points to close out the half. The run included a 63-yard fumble return touchdown by Brenton Johnson and two rushing scores.
USF came out on fire to begin the third quarter, putting together a methodical, 12-play, 73-yard drive. Ellis found Zlomie all alone in the end zone from two yards out, cutting the deficit to 27-20.
After USF's defense forced another punt, the Saints took the lead for the first time since early in the second quarter with a quick strike. St. Francis needed just five plays to move 65 yards and Ellis found Ruffin again, this time from five yards out, to put USF ahead 28-27.
The score remained the same until Mahdi's field goal put SXU ahead in the fourth quarter. The Cougars fended off some USF opportunities to hold on for the win.
The game was tight in more than just the score. At one point in the fourth quarter, both teams had run 59 plays for 265 yards of total offense. In the end, SXU outgained USF 356-307. Saint Xavier found most of its yards through the air (291), while USF totaled 117 on the ground. Both teams returned miscues for scores as the Cougars led the turnover battle 3-2 and points off turnovers 13-7.
Ellis rounded out his afternoon with 190 yards through the air and three scores without an interception. Ruffin was his favorite target and the sophomore finished with seven catches for 133 yards and two scores. Perre Brian Barbarin (New Orleans, La./Saint Augustine) led the USF rushing attack with 69 yards on 15 carries.
Antonio Lemon (Franklin Park, Ill./East Leyden) posted a game-high 10 tackles in his first collegiate start. Zlomie (two total touchdowns) and Thigpen accounted for the two Saints turnovers, both interceptions.
SXU's Martinez completed 26 of his 47 throws for 291 yards and two interceptions. Mike Ivlow and Jamarri Watson both found the end zone on the ground.
The Saints play their final road game of the season next week when they travel to Robert Morris on Saturday, November 4. Kickoff in Bensenville is scheduled for 3:00 p.m.
