Slow start turns into a huge win over Madonna
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) (2-2) | 0 | 10 | 20 | 7 | 37 |
|
Madonna (0-5) | 0 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 10 |
Livonia, Michigan – The University of Saint Francis (1-2) embarked on their third consecutive road game, this time heading to Livonia, Michigan to clash with the struggling Madonna Crusaders (0-4). In a game where the Cougars initially grappled with a sluggish first quarter, they ultimately surged to a commanding 44-9 victory, extinguishing the Crusaders' hopes on their homecoming.
The contest got off to a slow start for the Cougars, allowing the Crusaders opportunities to gain momentum following several exchanges of drives and punts. The initial quarter concluded scoreless until the Crusaders broke the silence with a 42-yard field goal courtesy of Darren Francis. It wasn't until the middle of the second quarter that the Cougars managed to secure their first touchdown of the game, with Brett Wethington completing a 3-yard touchdown run at the 6:38 mark.
During the next drive, the Cougars' defense ignited, as defensive lineman Scott Hudson intercepted Josh DePaulis's pass, culminating in a 50-yard pick-six for the Cougars at the 3:11 mark of the second quarter. The quarter concluded with Aidan Hosler knocking down a 34-yard field goal, leaving the Cougars ahead 17-3 as they headed into halftime.
The third quarter witnessed an explosive offensive surge from the Cougars, with an impressive 20 points scored during this period alone. Scoring plays included a 2-yard run by Brett Wethington at the 9:33 mark, a 13-yard pass from Grant Gremel to McCall Ray at the 9:03 mark, and an astounding 59-yard touchdown by Adajye Dandridge at the 5:03 mark of the third quarter.
From this point onwards, the Cougars dominated the game, with their defensive unit holding Madonna to a mere 222 yards of total offense, securing 8 sacks, and conceding only one touchdown. Notable statistics from the game included Grant Gremel finishing with a 13-27 passing record, amassing 260 yards with 2 touchdowns and 1 interception. The defense had an outstanding performance, with four members recording over 5 tackles each (Nate Talhelm, Emmanuel Davis, Tra'shaun Jones, and Nate Newcomer).
With this victory, the Cougars have leveled their record to .500 (2-2) and are eagerly anticipating their return to Bishop D'arcy Stadium on October 7th. There, they will face a formidable conference rival, the Siena Heights Saints (2-2) hailing from Adrian, MI, with kickoff scheduled for 1:00 PM.
Don't miss out on this exciting matchup – secure your tickets now!
Cougars fans can stay well-informed about all upcoming events and game recaps by visiting SaintFrancisCougars.com or by downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.
