JOLIET, Ill. --- University of St. Francis' defense pitched its second straight second-half shutout and Sam Tumilty passed for two touchdowns and ran in the game-winner as the Saints rallied for a 20-13 Homecoming victory in the Mid-States Football Association Midwest League opener on Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Tumilty, who notched his second straight 100-yard rushing effort on 23 carries, scored from one yard out with 6:50 remaining in the fourth quarter to give the Saints their first win of the season. The touchdown was set up by Scott Tumilty, Sam's brother, who forced a fumble deep in Missouri Baptist that was recovered by TJ Neal and returned to the 12-yard line.

Scott Tumilty also had a solid all-around day. Besides the forced fumble, he led the team in tackles with 12, one of which went for a loss.  As a defensive unit, the Saints (1-2, 1-0 MSFA) permitted just 82 second-half yards after yielding 173 in the opening 30 minutes.

St. Francis, meanwhile, nearly doubled its output offensively after the break, totaling 186 second-half yards after mustering up just 110 in the opening half.  92 of those first-half yards came on USF's longest scoring drive of the season, a 12-play march that ended with Tremel Truitt catching a pass from Tumilty and then running into the end zone from three yards out.  That provided the Saints with a 6-3 advantage early in the second quarter.

USF's defense extended its season-long string of keeping the opposition out of the end zone once it got inside the red zone to seven times midway through the second quarter. The Spartans (3-2, 0-1) were held to a 28-yard field goal after they opened the game with a 70-yard kickoff return followed by another 12-yard gain on an unsportsmanlike conduct penalty.

The guests' second denial came with 6:37 left to play in the opening half when they had to settle for another field goal, this time from 37 yards out to knot the score at six-all.

Fumbles looked like they would derail the Saints for the second week in a row when a bobbled punt return landed in the hands of the Spartans. Six plays and 18 yards later and with just 22 seconds to play in the second quarter, Missouri Baptist took a 13-6 lead into halftime.

Looking to get the score back even, the Saints drove the ball 77 yards to open the second half only to have a second fumble land in the hands of Missouri Baptist.

A quick three-and-out series by Missouri Baptist followed by a short punt kept the Saints in excellent field position, which they used to their advantage. Sam Tumility (10-of-17, 142 yards) capped the 5-play, 42-yard drive with a two-yard touchdown toss to Ravon Johnson (4 recp., 78 yards).

Nearly 15 minutes later, the Saints gained the go-ahead score set up by Missouri Baptist's second fumble of the afternoon.
The Spartans attempted to cut that deficit in half with a 55-yard field goal only to have it sail wide left. The Saints then ran out the clock for the remaining 3:56.

SIDELINES
Of Brian Maday's five punts on Saturday, four landed inside the 20-yard line.

Truitt's touchdown was his first on the collegiate level.

Chris Johnson also had a busy day on defense for the Saints, authoring seven tackles, two of which went for a loss, while forcing one fumble.

The Saints outgained Missouri Baptist, 296-255.

USF was 3-for-4 on touchdowns in the red zone, while Missouri Baptist was 1-for-3. Through the first three weeks, USF opponents have now scored a touchdown just once in eight tries when getting inside the 20-yard line.

Up Next
The Saints head to Deerfield, Ill.  to face Trinity International University in another MSFA Midwest League contest next Saturday (Oct. 9) with kickoff scheduled for 1 pm.