BOURBONNAIS, Ill. --- A slow start by the University of St. Francis football team spelled defeat for the Fighting Saints as they closed out the 2025 season with a 38-20 loss to Olivet Nazarene University in Mid-Sates Football Association Midwest League play on Saturday afternoon.

ONU (6-4, 2-3 MSFA) opened up a 14-0 lead before the Saints could collect their initial first down of the contest.  The Tigers scored the two touchdowns over their first four offensive series, while USF went three-and-out on each of its first three drives.

When the Saints (3-7, 1-4) eventually did get in sync and put points on the board in the opening half, they could only counter with a pair of Adrian Guerrero field goals.  The second of the two – a 39-yarder – ended out the second quarter, but could only get St. Francis as close as 21-6 at the break.

Olivet Nazarene went on to score the first ten points of the second half to build its biggest lead of the day at 31-6 before the Saints delivered their two touchdowns of the contest in the closing eight minutes.  Carl Bew had a role in each of the scores with a six-yard run and a 10-yard pass to Ryan Little (6 recp., 90 yards).

Bew, who took the majority of snaps from center, rushed for 99 yards on 24 carries, but was sacked five times.  He also completed 14 of his 24 pass attempts for 124 yards, but did throw a pair of interceptions. 

Despite nearly matching Olivet Nazarene from an overall yardage standpoint (ONU 419, USF 404) in eight minutes less time on offense, the Saints hurt themselves again by turning the ball over four times (3 interceptions, 1 fumble), including once on an interception in the end zone. 

Another pick came on USF's 14th play of the first drive of the second half with the Saints in Olivet Nazarene territory.  That one eventually turned into three points for the Tigers, who scored in every quarter.

Making his first collegiate start at ONU, junior quarterback Kaleb Garner recorded three touchdown strikes, while completing 15 of his 23 pass attempts for 202 yards.  He also rushed for one touchdown. 

Along with backup Jack Miller, Garner found eight different receivers on the day, including Japheth Lilo, who turned both of his receptions into scores (35, 25 yards).  On the ground, the Tigers relied on Aaron Bennett (9 carries, 72 yards) and Lehiwa Kahana-Travis (5-55).

Defensively, the Saints authored a season-high six sacks with Rob Baranowski delivering three of them.  He finished with a career-high 13 tackles.  Karsen Hansen had another 1.5 sacks as part of an eight-tackle day for him. 

Sabion Wilder recorded his first interception as a Saint.  It came on the Saints' first defensive series of the game.

Notes: Bew's 99 rushing yards were the most by a Saint this season … Little's 90 receiving yards marked the fifth time that he produced at least that many yards in a game on the year.  He concluded the season as the Saints receiving leader in catches (52), yards (783) and touchdowns (five) … USF's .563 third-down conversion rate (9-of-16) on Saturday was its best percentage this fall … The Saints finished with better than 400 yards of offense for the sixth time this year … Despite its 3-7 final record, the St. Francis offense outgained its opponents by six yards (3,846-3,840), had more rushing yards (1,653-1,375) and was outscored by just two points (293-291) on the season … The Saints, however, did have a minus-eight turnover ratio caused by 16 interceptions and ten fumbles … Saturday marked the sixth time this year that the Saints had multiple turnovers in a game and the third time with four or more … Guerrero finished as the team's leading scorer with 61 points.  He was perfect on his 31 PAT attempts and went 10-for-13 on field goals … Bew led the club in both total (7) and rushing (4) touchdowns.  He also had the most rushing yards (373) … Nathan Maul fell just short of throwing for 2,000 yards, finishing with 1,911 … Defensively, Hansen finished atop the team's charts in tackles (91), tackles for loss (10.5) and sacks (5.5) … Michael Hackman registered the most interceptions with five.       

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