USF FOOTBALL vs. MARIAN

Date                         Saturday, September 18, 2021
Kickoff                      1:00pm
Location                   Joliet, Ill.
Stadium                   Joliet Memorial Stadium
Capacity                  10,000
Game Notes            St. Francis | Marian
Hashtag                   #EAT #GOSAINTS
Live Stats                gofightingsaints.com/coverage
Video                       gofightingsaints.com/coverage
Coaches Weekly     Episode 1
Social Media            Twitter | Instagram | Facebook


USF NEWS AND NOTES


An All-American Return(er): Scott Tumilty returns for his second season with the Fighting Saints after being named an Honorable Mention All-Purpose All-American for his performance in the spring. Tumilty set the school record for the most punt returns for a touchdown, scoring two. He ranked first nationally in return touchdowns and total yards. Additionally, Tumilty was just as valuable on the defensive side of the ball, his five interceptions put him sixth nationally. He finished second on the team with 61 total tackles.

MSFA All-Conference Selections: In total nine Fighting Saints were named to the MSFA All-Conference teams for their performance in the spring. Ravon Johnson, Chris Johnson, and Tumilty earned first-team honors, Liam Eldridge, Blake Evans, and Brian Maday were named to the second team, and Rayvaugn Choute, Cameron Holman, and Michael Johnson were honorable mention selections.

2020-21 Fighting Saints: USF went 2-4 in MSFA Midwest play last season, picking up wins over Trinity International and Missouri Baptist. The Saints finished fifth overall in the conference. 

Flipping the field: Returning punter/kicker Maday played a big part of the special team's success for USF last season. Maday averaged just over 34 yards per punt last season with a long of 60. He had three punts that traveled over 50 yards and pinned opponents inside the 20-yard line 12 times. He also had eight touchbacks on kickoffs.

Family Within a Family: Within the USF Football family, there are two sets of brothers competing for the Saints this season. Even more impressive, all four are listed as opening day starters. Tumilty is the starting free safety while his brother is listed as the starting quarterback. Chris and Michael Johnson are both starters on the defensive line for USF, Michael at nose tackle and Chris at linebacker. 

Raving about Ravon: 2020-21 first team All-MSFA wideout Ravon Johnson returns for the 2021 season. Johnson had a big season for USF, finishing with 52 catches, 757 yards, and seven touchdowns. The 757 yards rank 7th all-time in program history. Additionally, Johnson's 757 yards ranked second-most in the MSFA and 8th nationally.

Defensive Leader: Chris Johnson was the leader of the USF defense last season. Johnson recorded 73 total tackles last season including seven for loss and two sacks. Additionally, Johnson's 9.1 tackles per game ranked 33rd nationally and second in the MSFA. He enters the 2021 season with 145 career tackles.