STREAMWOOD, Ill. --- The University of St. Francis football team's defensive unit put an exclamation point on its most prolific season in program history when it set or tied four school records in a 37-0 shutout of Judson University to close out the 2023 campaign on Saturday. 

The biggest record of the day was its eight takeaways with four of USF's five interceptions setting up touchdowns, including three in the first 16 minutes when the Saints built a 30-0 advantage.  St. Francis also forced three fumbles by Judson (0-9).

The other two records set on Saturday were season marks for fewest points (143) and yards allowed (2,516).  The old numbers were 171 points in 2015 and 2,673 yards set in 1988, the second year of the program.

The Saints (7-3) also tied the record for most shutouts in a season with three, first established by that same 1988 squad.

USF quarterback Carl Bew played a role in each of the team's five touchdowns, throwing for three and running for the other two on scampers of three and 20 yards.  Half of his completions went for touchdowns as he went 6-for-17 for 128 yards.  He also led the ground attack with 85 yards on 14 carries.

Dezzion Jordan's only reception of the day resulted in the Saints' first score (35 yards) with Joey Tumilty producing the other two touchdowns on catches of 12 and 33 yards.  The latter ended his day with five receptions for 93 yards.

Tumilty's second touchdown was the only score of the second half and came with 6:21 left to play following the second of two Jared King interceptions.  King was one of two Saints to author two picks on the day with Jalen Cooper performing the same feat.

Cooper, who both ran and passed for a two-point conversion on the day, finished his career with 13 interceptions.

USF's other interception was recorded by Nick Franciskovich.

After punting on their first series, the Saints scored on each of their next four possessions with all four requiring four plays or less after each drive started in Judson territory.  Three of the series followed interceptions with the other one starting after a bad punt.  In all, the Saints needed only 11 minutes, 18 seconds to put their first 30 points on the board.

Defensively, USF only allowed 161 yards, its second-lowest total of the season, with just 80 yards coming on 49 carries (1.6 per rush average) and the other 81 through the air.  The unit also produced a season-high five sacks for 34 yards in losses.

Kemon Reese led the defense with 14 tackles, while Karsen Hansen was all over the field, totaling 13 tackles, two sacks, two tackles for loss, one forced fumble, one fumble recovery and two pass breakups.

Other key contributors were Allan Richards (7 tackles/1 sack/1 fumble recovery), Roby Thelusme (4 tackles/1 sack/2 tackles for loss/1 forced fumble/1 fumble recovery) and Curtis Reeves (4 tackles/1 sack).

Notes: The Saints ran an efficient offense on Saturday.  Despite facing a 2:1 time of possession disadvantage, USF totaled 37 points in its 20 minutes, 34 seconds that it had the ball … Senior offensive tackle Peyton Boji made his debut in the backfield and recorded the Saints' third-longest run of the day with his 17-yard scuttle … Brian Maday finished off his career perfect on the year with his 40 PATs.  He made 43 in a row to close out his career including his three straight at the end of the 2022 season … Adrian Guerrero scored his first point as a Saint with his PAT on USF's final touchdown … Tumilty's 45-yard punt return in the third quarter was the Saints' longest of the season … The win marked USF's second straight 7-3 season.  Over the past three campaigns, the program has gone 20-9 (.690 winning pct.). 

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