JOLIET, Ill. – The University of St. Francis football team made a second-half push but could not catch up to Siena Heights University in a 38-27 loss at ATI Field.
The Siena Heights Saints (4-0) jumped all over the St. Francis (1-3) Fighting Saints in the first half, taking a 24-6 lead into the locker room.
Trailing 31-6 early in the third quarter, USF began its comeback with a 10-play, 65-yard drive that culminated with Don Butkus (Dyer, Ind./Mount Carmel Ill.) hitting Matt Brachmann (Elmhurst, Ill./Montini Catholic) from nine yards out. Dwayne Milton (Machesney Park, Ill./Harlem) helped spark the Fighting Saints' march with 42 rushing yards on four carries.
After St. Francis' defense forced a pair of three-and-outs, the hosts pulled within striking distance when Butkus connected with Brandon Ruffin (Peoria, Ill./Peoria) in the end zone on a 3rd-and-goal from the 5-yard line.
On the ensuing kickoff, Josh Holberry (Huddersfield, England) perfect executed and recovered a surprise onside kick to give the Fighting Saints the ball back. Milton quickly set up USF in the red zone with a 21-yard carry. On third-and-goal from the 1-yard line, Michael Johnson (Plainfield, Ill./Joliet Catholic) plowed across the goal line, which would have made the score 31-26 with over 11 minutes to play. However, a holding call negated the touchdown and then an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty sent the Fighting Saints all the way back to the 26-yard line. From there, an incompletion and an interception in the end zone gave the ball back to Siena Heights.
The visitors chewed up over six minutes on their next two drives and iced the game with a 10-play, 72-yard march that ended with Jared Jordan plowing into the end zone from four yards out.
Butkus found Brachmann in the end zone again late in the contest to round out the 38-27 final score. The Fighting Saints' signal caller completed 16 of his 32 throws for 172 yards. He hit Ruffin six times for 92 yards a pair of scores while connecting with Brachmann on his other two touchdowns. Milton finished with 153 yards on the ground and gained 5.1 yards per carry.
On defense, Dominic Sterr (Joliet, Ill./Plainfield Central) paced the Fighting Saints with 13 tackles, while Kody Randa (Sandwich, Ill./Sandwich) also reached double-figures with 11. Deshawn Dickinson (Oshkosh Wis./Oshkosh West) had 2.5 of USF's five tackles for loss and Jamal Stovall (Champaign, Ill./Champaign Central) broke up a pair of passes.
Siena Heights showed off a powerful running attack, gaining over 300 yards on the ground. D'aries Davis led the charge with 176 yards, while Jared Jordan added 125 and three scores. SHU's signal caller, Tyler Knecht, finished with a career-high 221 yards and one touchdown through the air. His top target was Adam Glanders (six catches, 83 yards, one touchdown). Nick Stalworth paced the visitors with 10 tackles, including 1.5 for loss.
St. Francis opens up Mid-States Football Association Midwest League play next Saturday, September 29 when the Fighting Saints welcome St. Ambrose to ATI Field. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 p.m.
