BOX SCORE
LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis Football team fell in its home conference opener to in-state rival Duquesne, 41-14, in just the second night game ever at DeGol Field.
The Red Flash (1-3, 0-2) battled hard early and held a 7-6 lead early in the game, but 35 unanswered points from the Dukes (3-1, 1-0) sent SFU to its second conference loss of the season. Duquesne's Sean Patterson led the way for Duquesne with 290 yards passing, four passing touchdowns and 75 yards on the ground.
Duquesne struck first offensively with a pair of field goals by Charlie Leventry the first from 40 yards and the second a 33 yard chip. The Red Flash responded offensively after a muffed punt by the Dukes gave SFU excellent field position at the Duquesne 14-yard line.
John Kelly (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) tied the game at six with a one yard quarterback sneak,
Josh Thiel (Leesburg, Va./Heritage)'s extra point made it a 7-6 lead for the Flash at 3:09 mark of the first quarter.
The SFU advantage was short lived as Patterson hooked up with Connor Dixon for an 87-yard touchdown pass as the Dukes retook the lead just 26 second after losing it. Dixon and Patterson were not done as they connected for a 40-yard score with just 47 seconds left in the first quarter. Patterson added two more touchdown passes before the half. The first going to Brian Layhue and measuring 17 yards and the second a 50-yard scoring strike on a swing pass to Isaac Spragg.
Larry McCoy made it a 41-7 game at the 5:46 mark of the third quarter with a two-yard touchdown run. The Red Flash did put together a fourth quarter scoring drive led by Corey Nielson and capped by a 1-yard touchdown run by
Keion Wade (East Orange, N.J./East Orange) but it was not enough.
Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa./Easton Area) followed but his national performer of the week performance with 76 yards on the ground and 7-yards receiving.
Anthony Bowman (Damascus, Md./Our Lady of Good Counsel) posted his fourth double-digit tackle performance of the season making 16 stops.
The Red Flash return to action next week, Oct. 1, as they conclude a three-game home stand against Northeast Conference foe Albany.
