DEERFIELD, Ill. --- Dwayne Milton (SR/Machesney Park, Ill.) scored three touchdowns and the University of St. Francis defense posted a second-half shutout to give the Saints their first win of the season and open Mid-States Football Association Midwest League play with a 27-22 come-from-behind victory over Trinity International University this Saturday (Sept. 14) afternoon at Leslie Frazier Field.
Milton finished the day with 141 total yards of offense, 133 of which came on 17 carries, the longest covering 57 yards. That play accounted for the Saints' third touchdown of the second quarter after Trinity International initially built a 15-0 advantage in the opening 14 minutes of the contest and enabled USF to head into the break trailing by just one, 22-21.
Milton also provided the only scoring in the second half when he caught an eight-yard pass from Major Dedmond (FR/Freeport, Ill.) for the latter's first touchdown pass of his collegiate career. It also marked the first lead for the Saints in 2019, one they would hold on to for the remaining 11:34 of the contest.
USF (1-2, 1-0 MSFA) also produced the only other scoring threat in the second half when they drove as close as the Trinity International eight-yard line only to have an 18-yard field goal attempt sail wide left.
The St. Francis defense, meanwhile, was clicking on all cylinders in the closing 30 minutes. After allowing Trinity International to get into USF territory six times on 240 first-half yards, the Saints gave up a mere 52 yards on just 17 plays and never allowed the Trojans to break the 50-yard line after halftime.
Two big pass plays and a St. Francis interception fueled TIU's two first quarter scores – including a two-point conversion – before the Saints caught a break. Tyler Keene's (SR/Burien, Wash.) third punt of the day kicked off one of the Trinity International players and alert Saint long snapper Scott Walsh (SO/Sparks, Nev.) pounced on the ball at the Trinity International 18-yard line. Four plays later, Milton scored from two yards out.
The Saints added their next score one series later following a Justin Bruns (SO/Bellwood, Ill.) punt return into Trinity International territory. Five plays later, St. Francis was within one point, 15-14, following a Michael Johnson (SR/Plainfield, Ill.) nine-yard touchdown run to cap a quick 35-yard drive.
The frenzied scoring pace continued with Trinity International driving 75 yards in just over three minutes to regain its eight-point advantage (22-14) before Milton closed the 28-point frame with his 57-yard scamper at the 2:36 mark.
After producing just 202 yards on the ground in their first two games combined, the Saints totaled 353 yards in 56 attempts on Saturday with Milton and Johnson (15 carries, 107 yards) fueling the 82:18 run-to-pass play ratio. USF would only attempt 12 passes on this day with only four being completed for 28 yards.
USF's defense was led by Chris Peters (JR/Frankfort, Ill.) (4 stops/1 sack) and Kody Randa (SR/Sandwich, Ill.) (3 stops). Rio Strama (JR/Shorewood, Ill.) also produced the first takeaway for the Saints defense with his third-quarter interception.
USF continues its three-game road trip with back-to-back trips to Michigan, stopping first at No.6 ranked Concordia University next Saturday, Sept. 21, with opening kickoff set for 12 p.m. (CT) at Cardinal Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich.
