ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, Ill. --- For the second week in a row, a late-game scoring drive by the opposition left the NAIA No. 17-ranked University of St. Francis football team saddled with back-to-back heart-breaking defeats.  On Saturday night, the crucial possession came in the closing three minutes as Roosevelt University drove 70 yards in five plays and scored with just 72 seconds remaining to claim a 28-24 Mid-States Football Association Midwest League victory.

Tyler Tenner's third touchdown of the game offset a 43-yard field goal by USF's Brian Maday that came just one series earlier and put the Saints up for the first time on the night at 24-21 with 3:20 remaining in the contest.  Tenner also provided the game's first score on a one-yard plunge on Roosevelt's initial drive of the game.  His second touchdown – a 13-yard run – started the combined 24-point fourth quarter between the two teams and broke a 14-all tie.

Roosevelt (4-2, 2-0 MSFA) became the first team this season to solve the St. Francis defense in the early going, scoring on each of its first two possessions, the second of which extended into the second quarter.  Entering the night, USF had outscored its opponents 42-3 in the opening 15 minutes.

The Lakers' second score came after the Saints were stopped on four straight plays inside the Roosevelt two-yard line.  Roosevelt drove 99 yards in 14 plays with Keonta Nixon's 25-yard touchdown reception coming on a fourth-and-ten play.

After allowing 157 yards on the host's first two series, USF's defense buckled down, yielding just 25 yards on the Lakers' next 20 plays through late in the third quarter.

At the same time, USF's offense responded with a 14-point second quarter to send the two teams into the break tied at 14-all.  Joey Tumilty started the scoring by producing his second long touchdown in as many weeks with a nearly identical 70-yard pass play down the far sideline.

Two series later, the Saints (4-2, 0-2) put together a quick two-minute, 87-yard drive to beat the first-half clock with Sam Tumilty rifling a 17-yard scoring strike to Daniel Goetsch in stride with 15 seconds to play.  Tumilty finished the 12-play series completing eight of his ten pass attempts for 78 yards.  For the game, he netted career-high numbers in completions (24), attempts (44) and yards (375), while throwing for three scores.

USF had the chance to take its first lead of the night midway through the third quarter, but a forced fumble ended the scoring threat 15 yards from the end zone.  It was one of two turnovers on the night for the Saints.

After an interception and four straight punts on five successive drives following its first two scores, Roosevelt's offense was able to find a mix of plays to get back on track starting late in the third quarter and extending into the final stanza.  The ten-play, 70-yard march ended with Tenner's second touchdown.

The Saints were quick to respond, answering in nearly identical fashion with their own seven-play, 68-yard drive, capped by a Dezzion Jordan 27-yard touchdown reception.
Kemon Reese then set up what USF was hoping to be its game-winning drive when the graduate student linebacker blocked a punt at midfield and returned it 13 yards into Roosevelt territory.  The Saints picked up one first down to get the ball down to the Laker 26-yard line before settling for Maday's field goal.

Starting its game-winning drive at its own 30-yard line with 3:16 remaining in the contest, Roosevelt quarterback Carson Budke completed passes of 13, 16 and 33 yards on the Lakers' first three plays before five- and three-yard runs by Tenner completed the comeback.

USF did have one final chance to thwart the rally in the closing 66 seconds, but could only get as close as the Roosevelt 37-yard line before time ran out.

Budke finished the night with 21 completions in 37 attempts for 254 yards.  Tenner ran for 108 yards on 27 carries to go along with three receptions for another 26 yards.  Nixon led the Roosevelt receiving corps with 80 yards on his five catches.

The Saints outgained Roosevelt 426-358 despite having the ball for ten less minutes (35:09-24:51).

Jalen Cooper led USF's defense with seven tackles, including one for loss.  Tavion Wells totaled four tackles, while recording an interception and forcing one fumble. 

Notes: After setting season-highs in catches and receiving yards each of the previous two weeks, Joey Tumilty broke both of those marks on Saturday with his eight receptions for 196 yards.  He also delivered his second 70-plus yard touchdown in as many weeks … Tumilty's touchdown was the family's 25th straight game in which they have reached the end zone … Seeing his first extended duty of the season, both of Roby Thelusme's credited tackles went for losses … Besides his 43-yard field goal, Maday remained perfect in kicking PATs on the season, having made all 22 of his attempts … All seven combined touchdown drives for the two teams were no less than 58 yards with six covering 68 or more yards … The Saints came into the matchup having allowed just three points combined in its two previous meetings against Roosevelt … St. Francis returns home on Saturday to face MSFA Midwest League foe Judson in a noon kickoff.

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