Cougars Roar to Victory with Late-Game Rally, 42-28
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Siena Heights (2-2) | 7 | 7 | 14 | 0 | 28 |
|
Saint Francis (Ind.) (2-2) | 7 | 7 | 14 | 14 | 42 |
FORT WAYNE, IN – Your University of Saint Francis Cougars (2-2) had its first home game in over a month facing the always-tough Siena Heights Saints (2-2) at Bishop D'arcy Stadium. After a very close and hard-fought battle throughout the first three quarters with the team out of Adrian, MI. The Cougars prevailed securing a 42-28 victory making them 2-0 in MSFA Mideast League play. The first time in over 6 years since the national championship team in 2017. Ending the 5-year drought against the Saints.
The first quarter consisted of a back-and-forth affair, a big play interception by Bailey Parker gave the Cougars great field position. It wasn't until the 8:44 mark that David Smith pounced it in from the 4-yard line. On the next drive however, the Cougar defense gave up a 10-yard rush to the endzone by Jordan Ramsey finishing a 9-play drive for 75 yards at the 4:17 mark in the first quarter. A few punts for each team would end the quarter.
The offense of the Cougars struggled, and a slugfest ensued it wasn't until the 1:14 mark when Ethan LoPresto for Siena rushed in for a 5-yard touchdown ending a 7-play drive. It was desperation time for the Cougar offensive; however, they did not let the clock stop them from putting up an impressive 67-yard drive, including a big play from Grant Gremel to McCall Ray on fourth down for 19 yards to put Eli Patchett in great distance to score a 2-yard rush at the 00:15 yard mark. Ending the half tied at 14-14.
Resuming play in the third another battle commenced. Starting the scoring drought of the period Grant Gremel completed a pass to McCall Ray for 80 yards to the endzone at the 10:55 mark to help push the momentum, towards USF's way, making it 21-14. However, that momentum did not last for long. The Siena offense came right back with a 63-yard sequence to the endzone at the 5:33 mark scoring from the 1-yard line. Then after the Cougar offense stalled punting it away. The defense gave up a doozy 45-yard touchdown pass from Elijah Taylor to Credell Prather. And just like that Siena is up a score 28-21. However, the Cougar offense came right back and drew a blow to the Siena defense. Grant Gremel with another big pass play ending in an Adjaye Dandridge 41-yard pass to the house at the 1:28 mark ending the quarter 28-28.
After a crazy first three quarters, this was anyone's game heading into the fourth. The Cougar crowd was in desperation to see if their home team would prevail. That they did, Gremel did it again giving out a bomb to O'Vauntay Vickers for a 44-yard touchdown at the 12:10 mark pushing the energy toward the USF sideline. Making it worse for the Siena offense on the pursuing kickoff Aidan Hosler threw the Saint's kickoff return off with an on-side kick recovered by Nick Nondorf of the Cougars giving the Cougar offense a fantastic field position. The Cougars capitalized ending the drive on a Drew Wheat touchdown along the sideline for 2 yards at the 9:01 mark in the 4th. From there the cougs pushed the petal to the medal as they didn't look back from here sealing it was a Nate Newcomer interception at the 5:02 mark and the rest was history ending in a 42-28 victory at D'arcy.
The Cougars will face another MSFA Mideast League foe when Lawrence Tech University Blue Devils (1-5) come into town for homecoming weekend on October 17th at 1:00 PM at Bishop D'arcy Stadium.
Secure your tickets to HOMECOMING NOW – Click Here
Cougars fans can stay well-informed about all upcoming events and game recaps by visiting saintfranciscougars.com or downloading the Saint Francis Cougars app.
