University of St. Francis (III.)

SOUTHFIELD, Mich. --- For the second week in a row, a fast start did not lead to a positive end result for the University of St. Francis football team as Lawrence Tech University (Mich.) responded to the Fighting Saints' opening touchdown with 27 straight points en route to a 40-14 Mid-Sates Football Association crossover victory on Saturday afternoon.

One week earlier, USF had an early 3-0 lead wiped out by 28 unanswered points in a 28-10 setback to Taylor University.

On Saturday, the Saints (0-4) had a 7-0 advantage after just six offensive plays fueled by 19- and 27-yard runs from Aaron Larkins.  The latter dash up the middle resulted in USF scoring on its opening series for the first time this year.

The next 27 points in the opening half were credited to Lawrence Tech (2-1) with 21 of those markers coming on only 10 Blue Devil offensive plays in a span of just over ten minutes in the first quarter.  LTU's first two touchdowns came on back-to-back two-play drives, the latter set up by an interception.  The hosts' third straight score came after St. Francis failed to convert on third- and fourth-down-and-one plays to extend a drive in Lawrence Tech territory.

After LTU expanded the lead to 27-7 late in the second quarter, the Saints responded with an 11-play, 65-yard march to score just before the break.  Jalen Webb-Starkey's two-yard run, which capped the series, was set up by his 38-yard pass to Connor Engstrom.

That momentum, however, did not carry over to the second half.  Despite getting the ball to open the third quarter, the Saints managed only four first downs after the break, which came to start each of their four drives.

Lawrence Tech, meanwhile, added to its scoring total with a pair of field goals and one more touchdown over the final two quarters.

LTU outgained St. Francis 468-177 with a balanced attack.  The Blue Devils rushed for 215 yards, while throwing for another 253 with a 17-for-23 conversion rate.  The Saints, on the other hand, managed just 40 ground yards on 26 carries.  Through the air, they amassed 137 yards, but were just 14-for-36 with one interception.

Lawrence Tech quarterback Ryan Schuster threw for two touchdowns and ran for another pair.  He accounted for all of the Blue Devils' passing numbers to go along with 38 yards on 12 carries.  Jon Jasionowski rushed for 149 yards on 24 attempts.  Owen Pittenger served as Schuster's main target through the air, catching seven passes for 98 yards.

Larkins totaled 69 yards on nine carries for the Saints, who had seven running plays go for 34 yards in losses.  Engstrom, Mason Hackman and David Maddox combined for ten of the 14 receptions with Engstrom's 49 yards pacing the attack.

Redshirt freshmen John Wesolowski and Daniel Rouse each had nine tackles to lead the Saints defensively.  Gavin Day produced five tackles and had a fumble recovery.

Notes: For the second week in a row, the opposition held the ball for 37 minutes to 23 for the Saints … Despite battling a lower leg injury, Adrian Guerrero had his best punting day of the season, averaging 47.5 yards on his four boots … Marcello Bernardi accounted for two of the Saints' four tackles for loss for 11 yards and finished with four stops for the afternoon … Alan Avalos contributed his first two points as a Saint, filling in for Guerrero as USF's placekicker on Saturday ... The Saints were penalty free on the day, while Lawrence Tech was charged just three times for 29 yards.

Up Next
The Saints have the next week off before traveling to Fort Wayne to take on their Indiana counterpart, University of Saint Francis, on Oct. 3.