QUINCY, Ill. – Showcasing a powerful offense and strong defensive pressure, the University of St. Francis football team defeated Quincy University 41-26.
Don Butkus (Dyer, Ind./Mount Carmel Ill.), Brandon Ruffin (Peoria, Ill./Peoria), and Dwayne Milton (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) all had big games for the Saints (1-2). In his first start of the season under center, Butkus completed 17 of his 25 attempts for 286 yards and four total touchdowns (three passing and one rushing). Ruffin was his top target, hauling in seven receptions for 159 yards and three scores. Milton finished with 186 total yards (141 rushing and 45 receiving) and a rushing touchdown. USF did not turn the ball over in the victory.
The Saints' defense put constant pressure on Quincy (1-2), totaling five sacks and 10 tackles for loss. In his first game of the season, Jamal Stovall (Champaign, Ill./Champaign Central) had the lone turnover of the game, a fourth-quarter interception. Antonio Jameson (Bolingbrook, Ill./Plainfield East) totaled a team-high 11 tackles, including a half-sack. Mason DeLong (Bourbonnais, Ill./Bradley-Bourbonnais), Mike Falejczyk (Manhattan, Ill./Providence Catholic), and Deshawn Dickinson (Oshkosh, Wis./Oshkosh West) all added a solo sack.
The Saints' offense set the tone early. On their first play from scrimmage, Milton broke a 37-yard run, sparking a four-play, 78-yard drive that ended with Butkus hitting Ruffin for a 13-yard score.
After USF's defense forced a second consecutive three-and-out, the Saints marched 94 yards to go up 14-0. Again, Butkus found Ruffin in the end zone, this time from 15 yards away. Ruffin scored the first five offensive touchdowns of the season for St. Francis.
USF's defense held Quincy in check for the majority of the half, giving up just 83 yards in the first 25 minutes of the game. However, the hosts cut into the deficit with a 79-yard drive at the end of the half that culminated with a Tionne Harris touchdown pass to David Tabakovic.
Much like they did in the first half, the Saints scored on their first two drives of the third quarter to extend a 27-7 advantage. USF gained a combined 138 yards on the two marches that ended with short Milton and Butkus scoring runs.
Quincy pulled within one score with a pair of touchdowns, but Butkus and the St. Francis offense immediately answered. Butkus needed just two long pass plays, a 22-yard connection to Matt Brachmann (Elmhurst, Ill./Elmhurst College) and a 54-yard touchdown strike to Ruffin, to reextend USF's advantage back to double digits. Jordon Smith (DeWitt, Mich./Lansing Catholic) rounded out St. Francis' scoring late in the fourth quarter, surging into the end zone from 10 yards out, before Quincy wrapped up the 41-26 score with a touchdown at the final horn.
Harris (260 passing yards, 64 rushing yards) scored all four touchdowns for the Hawks who outgained the Saints 473-450. Chris Brinson added a 106-yard game on the ground for Quincy.
The Saints host Siena Heights University in their annual homecoming game next Saturday, September 22 at 1 p.m.
