JOLIET, Ill. --- Six turnovers derailed a promising start for the University of St. Francis football team as the program opened its 40th season with a 45-28 setback to Taylor University (Ind.) in a Mid-States Football Association (MSFA) contest Saturday afternoon at Joliet Memorial Stadium.  Taylor, like USF, came into the season among others receiving votes in the NAIA Preseason Coaches' Poll.

The Fighting Saints (0-1) wasted little time in building a quick 7-0 lead, doing so in the game's first two minutes, ten seconds when starting quarterback Nathan Maul hit Jake Friddle for a 17-yard touchdown.  Newcomer Michael Hackman set up the score with his interception just two plays into the contest.

The next 28 points and 45 of the next 52, however, went the way of Taylor as the Trojans continued where they left off one year ago when they ranked third in the nation in scoring at 48.4 points per game.  Through TU's first two games in 2025, it is averaging 43.5 points per contest.

On Saturday, the Trojans (1-1) scored on three straight possessions following USF's initial score and turned three St. Francis turnovers into 17 points.  Taylor put up 21 points in each of the first two quarters on 342 yards of offense to take a 42-14 lead into the break.  The Trojans finally slowed down in the second half, where they were limited to just three points and 99 yards.

St. Francis actually outgained its guests 468-441, but had two big runs of 30 and 34 yards that took the ball into Taylor territory ruined by fumbles on the plays.  The Saints also gave the ball back to the Trojans on an interception just two plays after a Trey Sayers pick at the Taylor 35-yard line.

Friddle accounted for two of USF's four touchdowns on the afternoon, bookending his with the first one and the last score (14 yards) of the game with 89 seconds remaining in the contest.  Connor Engstrom also scored early in the fourth quarter on a five-yard pass from Maul, who completed 19 of his 33 attempts for 284 with three touchdowns opposite one interception.

Gavin Day (12 carries, 51 yards) had the lone rushing touchdown for USF, putting an end to Taylor's run of 28 straight points with his 15-yard run with just over five minutes remaining in the half.  That cut USF's deficit in half to 28-14.    

Taylor was far from done scoring, however, in the opening 30 minutes.  The Trojans put the game out of reach by halftime (42-14) with two more touchdowns in the closing two minutes of the opening half.  Nathan Parker had three of the six first-half touchdowns on runs of two, 26 and one yard as part of a 108-yard rushing afternoon on 20 carries.
As a team, Taylor rushed for 258 yards.

Carl Bew had a busy day for the Saints, playing in a wide variety of roles.  He led the team in rushing (58 yards on 7 carries), had three catches for 48 yards and returned three kickoffs for 60 yards.

Five different Saints caught at least three passes, led by Ryan Little's 93 yards on four catches.  Friddle finished with 65 yards on a team-high five grabs.

Defensively, Sayers and Karsen Hansen topped the tackle charts with ten stops each.  Nick Franciskovich and Nathen Choute were each one back with nine tackles.  The former also had three pass breakups.

Notes: The Saints were a perfect 4-for-4 in the red zone, scoring touchdowns each time … Friddle's two touchdowns were the first of his career.  He also matched and outdid his reception numbers for all of last season with his five catches for 83 yards.  Last fall, he totaled five grabs for 49 yards in an injury-marred campaign … Engstrom's score was also the first of his collegiate career … Maul's start was his first at the collegiate level … Charlie Brooks made his presence felt in his St. Francis debut with 1.5 of his five tackles going for loss.  He also forced a fumble.    

Up Next
The Saints hit the road to take on Siena Heights University (Mich.) next Saturday (Sept. 13).  Kickoff is set for 11 am EDT.  

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