Cougars Use Strong Second Half to Down Defiance 64-36 in Home Opener
| Final | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | T | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Defiance College (OH) (0-2) | 14 | 7 | 0 | 15 | 36 |
|
Saint Francis (IN) (1-1) | 0 | 14 | 13 | 37 | 64 |
FORT WAYNE, Ind. - The University of Saint Francis (Ind.) football team used a big second half to down Defiance by a final score of 64-36 in the Cougars' home opener on Saturday, September 14.
The visiting Yellow Jackets converted two early USF turnovers to put 14 points on the scoreboard in the first quarter. Defiance would put another seven on the board to take a 28-0 lead with 11 minutes left to play in the opening half. Saint Francis answered less than two minutes later with a 43-yard pass from Joshua Kulka to O'Vauntay Vickers to put the Cougars on the scoreboard and cut Defiance's lead to 21-7. Kulka connected with Adam Smith for a 30-yard touchdown with 5:12 on the clock in the second quarter. The Yellow Jackets took the seven-point lead at the half.
Less than a minute into the second half, an interception returned for 35 yards by Aidan Ewers, followed by a good point-after attempt by Austin Deleon tied the score up 21-21. The Cougars would score 21 unanswered points, including touchdowns from Eli Patchett, McCall Ray, and Adam Smith and a successful two-point conversation rush from Garrett Yoon. Defiance scored another seven points, but USF quickly answered with a touchdown pass from Kulka to Aden Dennis. After a blocked point after attempt that was returned for two points by Defiance, the Cougars had a 48-30 lead with 6:04 left to play in Saturday night's game. Shayne Spear had a 60-yard interception return before junior Trey Morrell blocked a Yellow Jackets' PAT, which Tamarris Springfield returned to give USF the 57-36 lead. With just 31 seconds on the clock in the final quarter of action, sophomore Bohde Dickerson scored his first touchdown in a Saint Francis uniform as the Cougars secured the 28-point victory.
As a team, the Cougars had 563 yards of total offense and 254 total return yards. Kulka completed 23 of 32 passing attempts for 328 yards and five touchdowns. David Smith led the Cougars on the ground with 120 rushing yards on 14 carries, while Vickers had nine receptions for 151 yards and a touchdown. Freshman Austin Deleon was 6-8 in extra point attempts and had 638 yards on ten punts with six touchbacks, and Levi Wisler posted 123 yards on three punts with a touchback.
Defensively, Saint Francis forced three turnovers, including two interceptions and a fumble. Tamarris Springfield led with seven total tackles, followed by Connor Price with six. Marquise Cross had 1.5 sacks for a loss of seven yards, while Chamaar Smith picked up a sack and Morrell, Wyatt Penney, AJ Moore each had half sack on Saturday.
Up next, USF football (1-1) hosts Siena Heights at Bishop John M. D'Arcy Stadium on Saturday, September 21 for a 1:00 p.m. kickoff.
Cougar fans can stay updated on all events and recaps with USF Athletics by visiting saintfranciscougars.com.
