JOLIET, Ill. --- Carl Bew returned his third kickoff for a touchdown this season, but NAIA No. 22-ranked University of Saint Francis (Ind.) used a 28-point second quarter to more than offset that play in sending the University of St. Francis football team to a 42-24 Mid-States Football Association Midwest League defeat on Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium. 

The second quarter proved to be the decisive one as the Fighting Saints (3-6, 1-3 MSFA) outscored their counterparts 17-14 in the other three quarters combined.  Saint Francis (Ind.) quarterback Joshua Kulka delivered three of his four touchdown passes on the day in that 15-minute timespan with strikes of 34, 48 and 10 yards.  For the game, the graduate student completed 22 of his 32 pass attempts for 334 yards.

The second quarter also saw the Cougars (8-2, 3-1) outgain the Saints 217-49.  For the game, Saint Francis' passing numbers alone were 43 more than USF collected in total offense (291).  The visitors finished with 466 yards of total offense.

Bew's 97-yard return late in the second quarter cut USF's deficit to 21-10 only to have Saint Francis score twice in the closing three minutes to take a 35-10 lead into the break.  The second touchdown came with just 70 seconds remaining following a 33-yard interception return, which set up a one-play, ten-yard scoring drive.

The Saints looked to get back into the contest when Bew closed out a 6-play, 63-yard drive with his second touchdown of the day on a six-yard run to open the second half.  USF followed with an interception by Nathen Choute on Saint Francis' next offensive series, but came up wide left on a 42-yard field goal attempt on the ensuing drive.  That would have made it a two-score game (35-20) with five minutes still to play in the third quarter.

USF also had a chance to take the lead in the initial quarter.  After the two teams exchanged scores with a touchdown by the Cougars and a field goal from the Saints to open the contest, the latter got as close as the Saint Francis 33-yard line before turning the ball over on downs.

The two teams exchanged ten-plus play touchdown drives in the closing quarter to account for the final 14 points of the game.  USF's came on Jake Friddle's one-yard plunge.

Bew's complete day featured the 141 yards on three kickoff returns to go along with 83 yards on 14 carries and another 42 yards passing on two completions in five attempts.  Other big numbers were recorded by Ryan Little (6 recp., 79 yards) and Connor Engstrom (6-42).

Saint Francis (Ind.) collected 101 yards on 23 carries from Azariah Wallace, while Colin McPeek had 98 yards receiving and turned two of his four receptions into touchdowns.  Chris Mullen added another five catches and 79 yards with a score.

Defensively, Karsen Hansen led the way for the Saints with his 14 stops.  Rob Baranowski also had a double-figure tackle total (12), while forcing one fumble and having a pass breakup.

Notes: Bew became the first Saint to register three touchdowns on returns in one season.  He also now holds the top three spots in kickoff returns with two for 97 yards and one for 100 … Hansen's 14-tackle effort marked his fourth such outing of ten-plus this season and fell just one short of his career high … Baranowski's 12 stops were a career high as were Mike Carver's nine … Choute's interception was his third of the season and third in as many games … The two teams combined to go 22-for-36 (.611) on third- and fourth-down plays … Prior to the start of the game, the program recognized its 17 senior players and one support personnel member: Matthew Alston, Ryan Banas, Marcello Bernardi, William Brandau, Carver, Gavin Day, Nick Franciskovich, Friddle, Hansen, Brandon Harry, Rylan Heersink, Nick Mabutas, Owen McGuire, Anthony Niecikowski, Athanasius Nwalozie, Curtis Reeves, Allan Richards and August Coria (support personnel).

Up Next
The Saints wrap up their 2025 campaign on the road next Saturday (Nov. 15) at Olivet Nazarene University.  Kickoff is slated for 12 pm.

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