JOLIET, Ill. --- Homecoming 2025 turned out to be All Saints Day for the University of St. Francis football team after eight different players reached the scoring column in a decisive 66-13 Mid-States Football Association crossover victory against Madonna University (Mich.) on Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium.

Led by Jake Friddle's two touchdowns and three field goals from Adrian Guerrero, the 66 points were the fourth-most in school history.  USF (2-2) put up no less than 14 points in any one quarter with 31 points coming off turnovers, including one of two recoveries on kickoffs.

Three Saints also made history by registering their first collegiate touchdowns as part of St. Francis' eight touchdown day.  The three were by Allan Richards (18-yard interception return), Jonny Sorensen (31-yard run) and Tyshaun Strong (94-yard run) and wrapped up the touchdown barrage on the day for USF.

Madonna, meanwhile, produced its two scores on identical 38-yard fumble recoveries to start each half.  The guests' lead, however, lasted less than three minutes after Nathan Maul hooked up with Friddle on a 52-yard catch, run and dive into the end zone.  The Saints followed that up with a two-point conversion on another pass to Friddle to start a run of 35 unanswered points.

Another string of 31 straight points ensued following Madonna's second return.

Friddle needed just a little over three minutes after his first score to get back into the end zone on a one-yard plunge.  That score and another by Connor Engstrom (11-yard reception) were set up by back-to-back interceptions from Michael Hackman. 

USF's other points were attributed to Larry Stringham (6-yard run), Carl Bew (14-yard run) and Guerrero, who led the attack with 16 points on field goals of 21, 42 and 33 yards and a perfect 7-for-7 reading on PATs.

Maul finished the day throwing for 230 yards on 17-of-30 accuracy with the two touchdowns and one interception.  His main targets were Ryan Little (6-92) and Engstrom (6-55).

USF's season-high rushing output of 321 yards was led by Strong with 94 yards and Aaron Larkins with 63.  The Saints averaged 6.3 yards per carry with five players rushing for at least 40 yards.

Madonna (1-3) was not nearly as successful on the ground, totaling just 39 yards on 18 carries.  Through the air, the Crusaders completed only 15-of-38 passes for 103 yards with four interceptions to finish with just 142 yards of total offense on the afternoon. 

USF put up a season-high 551 yards of offense and also dominated in the first-down department by a 27-6 count as well as amassing a nearly 10-minute time-of-possession advantage.

Nick Franciskovich led USF's defense with eight stops, including one of the team's six tackles for loss.  He also registered the other Saints' interception.

Notes: Saturday marked the first time this season the Saints were not the first team to score through their first four games … Strong's touchdown run was four yards short of the all-time longest Saint run, which was set by Mike Seneker when he rambled 92 yards against Kentucky State in 1992 … Hackman doubled up on his pick total for the season and is now averaging one interception per game … Maul, who battled Bew and Sorensen for the starting quarterback job at the beginning of the year, wound up throwing passes to each of them on Saturday.  Both had one catch …  Guerrero's 42-yard field goal tied his career long, which was initially set last year versus Indiana Wesleyan … The Saints totaled 17 full possessions on the afternoon with two others terminated by the end of each half.

Up Next
The Saints wrap up crossover play next Saturday when they head to Marion, Ind. to face NAIA No. 5 Indiana Wesleyan University.  Kickoff is set for 11 am CT.

You can keep up with everything happening around USF Athletics on X @USFSaints.