JOLIET, Ill. --- Looking to stay with one of the top-ranked programs in the NAIA, the No. 23-ranked University of St. Francis football team had its opportunities in the opening half before No. 6 Indiana Wesleyan University took control in the third quarter to ruin the Fighting Saints' homecoming with a 38-3 Mid-States Football Association crossover win on Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Leading 14-3 at the break, the guests did the rest of their scoring in the third quarter when they put up 24 points and 174 yards of offense on just 21 plays.  The Saints, meanwhile, were held to just 60 yards on 27 plays in the closing 30 minutes.

USF (3-1) made its way into Wildcat territory five times among its six first-half possessions, including starting three drives on the Indiana Wesleyan side of the field, but came away with a yield of just three points.  It marked the first time in 33 games dating back to the 2020 season that the Saints did not score a touchdown.

Indiana Wesleyan (4-1) failed to get a first down on four of its six first-half drives, but made the most of its other two, including a 17-play, 75-yard touchdown march that took up the first 7 minutes, 24 seconds of the game.  The Wildcats' other first-half score came on an 81-yard drive with just over two minutes remaining before the break.

The Saints made good on their first opportunity to score with Adrian Guerrero connecting on a career-high 42-yard field goal after a short punt gave USF the ball at Indiana Wesleyan's 33-yard line.  The field goal came with just 57 seconds remaining in the first quarter.

Head coach Joe Curry's team then had a pair of chances to cut the deficit further or take the lead, but missed on a 29-yard field goal the first time after getting as close as the IWU 12-yard line midway through the second quarter.  Allan Richards then forced a fumble two plays later with Matthew Perry recovering at the Indiana Wesleyan 27-yard line.  The Saints, however, could only get eight yards on four plays before turning the ball over.

After Indiana Wesleyan made it 14-3, St. Francis looked to make it a one-possession game before the break with its longest drive of the contest.  The 70-yard possession got as close as the three-yard line before another miss on a 22-yard field goal as time expired.

Indiana Wesleyan scored on each of its three offensive series (two touchdowns, one field goal) in the third quarter.  The Wildcats then added their fifth interception return for a touchdown this season to put the game out of reach with the 24 points in just 10 minutes, 24 seconds.

Besides keeping the NAIA's third-highest scoring offense out of the end zone, Indiana Wesleyan's defense held the Saints to just 233 yards of total offense, or 251 yards below their average.  That included just 24 rushing yards on 22 carries and only 11 first downs.  The Wildcats, who were led by Clayton Mosher's 11 tackles and his second pick-six (42 yards) in as many weeks, registered five sacks and forced three fumbles on the day. 

Sam Tumilty, USF's leading rusher with just 27 yards on 10 carries, threw for 209 yards.  He completed 21 of his 37 attempts with the one interception.

St. Francis had no fewer than four players catch at least three passes topped by Dezzion Jordan's 77 yards on four receptions.  Joey Tumilty had five catches for 49 yards, while Gavin Day had 33 yards on six grabs.

Ryan Whitwell had a big day on the ground for Indiana Wesleyan.  He had a season-high 31 carries good for 145 yards and touchdowns of nine and six yards. 

Quarterback Kyle Antoine completed 75 percent of his passes (15-of-20) for 182 yards and two touchdowns.  Both scores (8 and 41 yards) went to Isaac Smith, who had six catches for 94 yards.

Scott Tumilty, Perry and Richards all recorded double-figure tackle totals for USF.  Tumilty led the way with 13, while Perry and Richards totaled 11 each.

Notes: Perry and Richards' tackle counts were both career-best efforts … The last time the Saints were held without a touchdown was on April 10 when USF fell 7-0 during the COVID spring season … St. Francis' defense held its first three opponents to a combined 28 points prior to Indiana Wesleyan's 38-point day … The Saints entered the game a perfect 17-for-17 in the red zone with 15 touchdowns.  On Saturday, they went 0-for-2 with the two missed field goals, while Indiana Wesleyan was 4-for-4 … USF was just 2-for-15 on third down opposite Indiana Wesleyan's 7-for-17 effort, not to mention going 2-for-3 on fourth down … IWU held a seven-minute time-of-possession advantage on the day … Of St. Francis' seven second-half possessions, five were three plays each with the other two being six plays .. Coming into the contest, the Saints were sacked just two times on the season … Indiana Wesleyan came into the game as the eighth-leading offensive unit from a yardage standpoint (508.3 ypg), but was held 107.3 yards below that mark on Saturday.

Up Next
The Saints complete the MSFA crossover portion of their season with a road game at Siena Heights University (Mich.) next Saturday (Oct. 5).  Kickoff is set for 12 pm Central time.  

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