BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- Keenan Hailey had a career day and the University of St. Francis defense did its thing again as the Saints rolled to their sixth straight win, ruining Olivet Nazarene University's homecoming with a 35-21 Mid-States Football Association Midwest League victory on Saturday afternoon.

The win kept the Saints (6-2) on course with Saint Xavier University as one of only two remaining unbeatens in the MSFA Midwest League.  Both teams are now 5-0 in conference play.

Hailey scored twice and rushed for a personal-best 129 yards on 20 carries to lead a four-man contingent that piled up 269 yards on the ground opposite 306 total yards for Olivet Nazarene.  The Tigers came into the contest ranked 11th in the nation in total offense (419.9 ypg) and 17th in scoring (34.9 ppg).

Sam Tumilty (25 carries, 75 yards, 1 TD) and Daniel McLaurin (9-51) were also part of the running attack, which enabled the Saints to dominate the clock for nearly 38 of the contest's 60 minutes.  Tumilty threw for another 148 yards with two touchdowns, as well, including a clinching 65-yard bomb to Dezzion Jordan late in the third quarter to put St. Francis up 35-14.

USF's defense was on fire yet again, authoring its fifth multi-interception game with two of the three picks leading to scores.  The two teams combined for three scores in a row after Nick Mabutas denied Olivet Nazarene in the red zone with his fourth pick of the season and 44-yard return.  Eight plays later, Hailey went into the end zone from three yards out to start the day's scoring.

Olivet Nazarene (4-4, 3-2) answered quickly, needing just five plays, including Evan Leake's two carries for 54 yards – one being a 44-yard touchdown – to get the Tigers back even at seven-all.

The Saints then worked the clock for nearly seven minutes before going back on top 14-7 on Tumilty's one-yard run to close out a methodical 14-play, 68-yard drive. 

Interception No. 2 came two series later with Scott Tumilty's return of 24 yards requiring the Saints to need just six yards to find the end zone again.  De'Whon Gavin did the honors this time with his reception with just over 100 seconds remaining in the opening half.

That was more than enough time to stay close for Olivet Nazarene, which took just 84 seconds to go nine plays and 62 yards and stay within one touchdown (21-14) at the break.

But as they have done throughout the course of their six-game winning streak, the Saints dominated the third quarter, netting three sacks and outscoring the Tigers 14-0.  Hailey provided one of the scores on a one-yard run to end a 7-play, 55-yard drive that was set up by back-to-back sacks to close out an ONU drive.  The other score was Howard's with eight seconds remaining in the period.

Olivet Nazarene did get one final score late in the fourth quarter, but that came after Angel Mata kept his string alive of registering one interception in each game of the winning streak.

Michael R. Johnson kept his streak intact, as well, of producing at least one-half sack during the string of victories.  Other sack artists on Saturday included Oshikahi Ebikhumi (1.5) and T.J. Neal (one).  As a team, USF finished with four sacks for 26 yards in losses to go along with another five tackles for loss and 12 more yards in stops behind the line of scrimmage.

Besides his interception, Scott Tumilty topped the Saints' tackle chart with eight hits, including one tackle for loss.  Mata was one of three Saints to total five tackles.  He also had a pass break-up.

Notes: The six-game winning streak ties a school record that has been set multiple times, including last year … During the victory streak, the Saints have outscored the opposition 79-15 in the third quarter.  They have also averaged 36.2 points per game in that stretch … Coming into the contest, Hailey had rushed for 280 yards in his first seven games combined with a season high of 80 yards on 15 carries against Judson two weeks ago … For the second week in a row, USF's defense picked off an opposing quarterback twice that had come into the game with just two interceptions on the season … The three-pick game was the fourth of the season for USF, which has recorded at least one interception in seven straight games and 16 for the season … Not only are the Saints getting interceptions, but also returning them for big yardage.  On Saturday, the three picks netted 84 yards.  For the season, USF is averaging nearly 14 yards per return … St. Francis is now a plus-ten in the takeaway department this year … The Saints close out the home portion of the regular season next Saturday when NAIA No. 15 Roosevelt University comes to town for a 1 pm kickoff.  

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