ADRIAN, Mich. ---- Missed opportunities and three turnovers were the story of the day for the University of St. Francis football team as the Fighting Saints extended drives inside the Siena Heights University (Mich.) 40-yard line seven times, including twice in the red zone, but could only come away with eight points in a low-scoring 13-8 Mid-States Football Association crossover contest Saturday afternoon.

A missed 47-yard field goal, a pass interference call to wipe out a touchdown and a fumble on a first-and-goal play at the five-yard line proved to be the costliest for head coach Joe Curry's team, which was looking to even its record out at 1-1 on the season.

Siena Heights, meanwhile, had just two drives extend into St. Francis territory, both resulting in field goals (29 and 30 yards), which turned out to be the difference in the end.

Siena Heights' other score came on a 56-yard touchdown pass from Ryan Minor (14-of-22, 128 yards. 1 TD, 1 int.) to Eric Williams II (5 recp., 83 yards) just under five minutes into the second quarter. It also came only 1:32 after the Saints took their only lead of the contest (8-3) on a Sam Tumilty to Ravon Johnson hookup from 24 yards out on a third-and-13 play. Eric Maffie and Daniel Goetsch followed with a two-point conversion pass at the 11:41 mark of the second quarter.

The only other score the rest of the afternoon would come on Anthony Secchi's second field goal of the game from 30 yards out with 4:14 remaining in the opening half.

From there, USF's defense took over. After giving up 176 yards on 35 plays with eight first downs in the opening half, the Saints' defense held Siena Heights (1-2) to just 29 yards on 24 plays and two first downs in the closing 30 minutes. On the ground, the hosts gained just 14 yards on 17 carries and never once pushed the ball beyond the 50-yard line.

USF's offense, on the other hand, reached Siena Heights territory all but once in the second half after initially getting off to a slow start. Four of the Saints' first five drives of the contest were three-and-out series with the only exception being Johnson's second touchdown reception of the year, which was set up by Scott Tumilty's 40-yard punt return.

The Saints (0-2) started a string of six drives in seven possessions into Siena Heights territory on their last series of the opening half, which resulted in the missed field goal.  The second time, which got as close as the 36-yard line, was halted by an interception.

The next two drives – both in the red zone - hurt the most. The first one ended up being USF's longest drive of the day, going for 61 yards on seven plays only to end with the fumble. The second, which included the pass interference call, got as close as the Siena Heights 19-yard line before the Saints were turned back on a fourth-and-one play.

USF's final three series of the afternoon ended on an interception, a punt after getting to the SHU 38-yard line and downs after getting as close as the SHU 39.

The Saints finished the game outgaining Siena Heights, 268-205, including 153-29 in the second half. Sam Tumilty led all players offensively with his 131 yards on 26 rushes.  He also completed 10 of his 20 pass attempts for 85 yards with the two interceptions and one touchdown. 

Terrance Nicholson and Ryan King led USF's spirited defensive unit with nine stops each. King also had one sack as did Michael R. Johnson, who registered five tackles and forced one fumble. Jermaine Ross also had an interception at midfield midway through the fourth quarter.
 
SIDELINES
Sam Tumilty's 100-plus yard performance on the ground was his first at the collegiate level.

For the second straight week, the opposition failed to score a touchdown inside the red zone and had to settle for field goals.  Marian was limited to three field goals in three chances last week, while Siena Heights could only get the two field goals in as many opportunities on Saturday.

Scott Tumilty averaged 20.0 yards per punt return on Saturday with his 60 yards on three returns, including the 40-yarder.

Both teams combined to go just 7-for-29 on third down with USF converting on only 3-of-14 attempts and Siena Heights, 4-of-15, including going 0-for-8 to close out the game.  The Saints were also 0-for-2 on fourth down.


Up Next
It's Homecoming Week for the Saints with the team set to host Missouri Baptist University next Saturday (Oct. 2) at Joliet Memorial Stadium. Kickoff is set for 1 pm. The contest will be a rematch of last year's 34-31 double-overtime thriller won by USF following a three-plus-hour weather delay.