STREAMWOOD, Ill. --- A dominating performance in all facets of its game enabled the University of St. Francis football team to snap a two-game losing streak with its 48-0 Mid-States Football Association Midwest League victory over Judson University on Saturday afternoon.

The Saints (3-4, 1-1 MSFA) also scored their first road victory of the campaign thanks to five offensive touchdowns, one pick six, recoveries by both their kickoff and punt teams and one other fumble recovery.  USF cashed in the latter mistakes by Judson for 24 points, while another interception preserved the shutout.

Head coach Joe Curry's club wasted little time in taking control of the contest, scoring three times in 93 seconds to build a 21-0 lead with 8:06 still remaining in the opening quarter.  Larry Stringham got things started with his seven-yard run to cap off a six-play, 95-yard drive that was set up by a Jake Friddle 55-yard run.

After Judson was assessed a 15-yard unsportsmanlike conduct penalty prior to the ensuing kickoff, the Saints went with an onside kick that was recovered by Nathen Choute, who was just getting started on a big day for him.  Five plays later, the Saints were back in the end zone on Ryan Little's eight-yard reception.  It was one of a team-high five catches on the day for Little, who finished with 55 yards receiving.

Judson (0-8, 0-2) then fumbled on its first play from scrimmage on its next series with Rob Baranowski coming away with the ball.  The Saints followed with their first of two quick scoring drives with Nathan Maul (17-of-26, 252 yards, 2 TDs, 1 int.) needing just one play to find Mason Hackman (4 recp., 67 yards) in the front corner of the end zone for a 24-yard touchdown.

The other one-play scoring series came in another 21-point second quarter when Jonny Sorensen took a quarterback draw for 54 yards with just over ten minutes remaining in the frame.  That score was bookended by a one-yard Friddle touchdown run on the front end and Choute's 37-yard interception return for a touchdown late in the first half on the back side.  Choute also collected five tackles on the afternoon.

Adrian Guerrero provided the remaining points – six in the second half – on field goals of 37 and 45 yards.  He finished with 12 points on the day, including going a perfect 6-for-6 on PATs.

Nick Franciskovich kept the shutout intact midway through the fourth quarter when he stepped in front of a Judson pass during the Eagles' lone drive inside the red zone.  He also led the team with six tackles, including two for loss.

Other key contributors to the St. Francis defense, which has not allowed a touchdown in eight straight quarters and only three points in that same timespan, were Karsen Hansen and Niko Frcek.  They accounted for USF's three sacks on the day, being credited with 1.5 each.  Hansen finished with five tackles and Frcek four.

St. Francis ran just two more plays than Judson on the afternoon, but outgained the Eagles by a 496-247 margin with a balanced attack (276 yards passing, 220 rushing).  Judson, which had the ball for six more minutes than USF, managed just 99 yards on the ground and 148 through the air.

Notes: The Saints continued their dominance over Judson, remaining perfect at 6-0 all-time, with three of the wins being shutouts.  USF's last shutout also came against the Eagles to close out the 2023 season.  That year, the St. Francis defense posted three shutouts … Saturday marked the third time this year that the Saints scored at least 42 points with all three resulting in wins.  Seven different players contributed to the scoring onslaught against the Eagles … Stringham moved into a tie for the team lead in rushing touchdowns with three, while Little did the same with his fourth receiving touchdown.  They share the distinction with Gavin Day and Connor Engstrom, respectively … Friddle's 55-yard run was the second-longest by a Saint player this season, while Sorensen's was the third-longest … Guerrero remained perfect on the season in the PAT department (28-for-28), while extending his field-goal streak to six straight makes.  He continues to lead the team in scoring with 48 points … USF's 25 first downs, 220 ground yards and 276 yards through the air were all the second-highest totals of the year, while it finished with 400-plus yards of total offense for the fifth time in seven games … The Saints' defense also gave up its second-fewest total yards (247) and allowed the opponents less than 100 yards rushing for the fourth time this season … USF's defense has permitted just six conversions in 28 attempts (21.4 pct.) on third down in the last two games combined … Choute's pick six was the second of the season for the Saints.  Allan Richards had the other one against Madonna … Mike Carver registered USF's final of four takeaways on the day (not including the onside kick) with his fumble recovery on punt coverage to set up Guerrero's second field goal.  

Up Next
The Saints face their biggest challenge of the year when they go to Indianapolis, Ind. next weekend to face NAIA No. 8 Marian University (Ind.).  Kickoff is set for noon CDT.

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