CHICAGO, Ill. – In a thrilling game that came down to the wire, (RV) Saint Francis came up with a late stop to secure a thrilling 28–27 road victory over (RV) Saint Xavier University on Saturday, October 25. 

The SF Cougars (6–2) showcased resilience throughout, responding to SXU's early touchdown with a one-yard keeper from Joshua Kulka late in the first quarter to even the score at 7–7. After falling behind 14–7 at halftime, SF wasted little time in the third quarter as Chris Mullen powered in a one-yard rushing score to tie the game once again. 

Saint Francis grabbed its first lead early in the fourth thanks to an 8-yard touchdown connection from Kulka to Mullen, putting the SF Cougars ahead 21–14. Mullen wasn't done — after SXU tied the game at 21–21, he broke loose for an 81-yard touchdown catch, his third score of the day, giving the SF Cougars a 28–21 advantage with under two minutes to play. Saint Xavier answered with a quick touchdown drive in the final seconds, but SF's defense held strong on the two-point conversion attempt to secure the win. 

Saint Francis recorded 318 yards of total offense on Saturday. Kulka finished the day with 310 passing yards and three total touchdowns, while Mullen led all receivers with 113 yards and two TDs through the air, plus a rushing score. Azariah Wallace led Saint Francis on the ground with 59 rushing yards.

Defensively, Bobby Weiler and Nate Johnson both finished with six total tackles on the day. Weiler finished with a sack, three tackles for a loss of eight total yards, while Johnson added a QB hurry. Elijah Hunter, Aidan Ewers, and Jakarrey Oliver each came away with interceptions, helping Saint Francis win the turnover battle in a tight contest. 

With the victory, Saint Francis improves to 6-2 overall and 1-1 in the MSFA Midwest League, while Saint Xavier falls to 5-3 on the season. The SF Cougars will return to Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium on November 1 during the Military Appreciation Game against Olivet Nazarene University, starting at 1:00 p.m.

Founded in 1890 in the Catholic Franciscan tradition, the University of Saint Francis offers more than 60 undergraduate, graduate and doctoral programs through the College of Health Sciences and the College of Arts, Sciences, and Business. In addition to its traditional programs, Saint Francis designs focused curricula for working adults in Fort Wayne, Crown Point, Lafayette and online. Saint Francis Downtown houses the music technology program while offering enhanced internship and networking opportunities for students. The University of Saint Francis, recognized as an NAIA Five-Star Champion of Character institution, has 21 athletic programs boasting two individual and four team NAIA national championships. More than 1,900 students from a broad geographic region attend Saint Francis.