BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. (Oct. 20, 2012) – The Saint Francis University football team fell behind early in the second half and could not recover against Wagner falling, 31-24, in SFU's annual homecoming contest.   
 
The Red Flash (3-5, 2-3) got a solid day from John Kelly (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora), who racked up 157 yards through the air and 109 yards on the ground but it was not enough against the Seahawks (4-3, 4-1). Wagner got a big day from quarterback Nick Doscher, who threw for 163 yards and three scores while also rushing for 33 yards. Jake DeMedal (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) and Ryan Revtai (Oakdale, Pa./West Allegheny) both posted double digit tackles for the Flash but SFU struggled to get off the field on third-downs against a Seahawk squad ranked second in the Northeast Conference standings.
 
Saint Francis had the ball with 4:28 remaining in regulation and down by just seven but on a critical third-and-seven Kelly was sacked and fumbled. Theodore Clohessy came unblocked off the left side of the SFU offensive line and forced a fumble which the Flash were able to recover but it forced Saint Francis to punt. After the punt, Doscher posted a 12 yard run which sealed the win for Wagner and allowed the Seahawks to run out the clock.
 
The Flash rallied from down as many as 14 but could not complete the comeback. Dominique Williams gave Wagner the early with a 10-yard touchdown on the Seahawks opening drive, which totaled 69 yards on 11 plays. Williams finished the day with 93 yards on the day. Saint Francis struggled to get its footing in the first quarter but the Flash offense found their way on to the scoreboard in the second quarter with a trick-play.
 
Anthony Abeid (Youngstown, Ohio/Youngstown Christian) lined up at the quarterback position and gave the ball to Kelly, who came across the formation in motion. Kelly then stopped and threw a 60-yard scoring strike to A.J. Alexander (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area) to even the game at seven at 12:43 mark of the second quarter.
 
Following the SFU score, the Flash were called for an offside penalty on the ensuing kickoff on which the SFU coverage team had pinned the Seahawks inside their own 15-yard line. However with the penalty the Flash had to re-kick and Wagner made the most of it as Otis Wright returned the kick 61 yards down to the SFU 28. All told the penalty cost the Flash 61 yards. Doscher connected with David Crawford for a 28-yard touchdown on the next play to give the Seahawks a lead they would not relinquish.
 
Josh Thiel (Leesburg, Va./Heritage) connected on a 43-yard field goal just before the half to make the lead for Wagner just seven at the intermission but Doscher led a seven play 73-yard scoring drive to start the second half. The senior quarterback connected with Williams on a seven-yard pass to cap the drive and give the Seahawks their largest lead of the day at 24-10 with 11:27 left in the third quarter.
 
Saint Francis responded on their next possession as the Flash drove 77 yards on 10 plays and capped the drive with a 12-yard scoring run by Keion Wade (East Orange, N.J./East Orange). Wade struggled against the Wagner defense and never really got going and finished the game with just 79 yards on 20 carries. The score made it a seven point game (24-17) with 6:50 remaining in the quarter.
 
Wagner pushed its lead back to two scores on their next drive going 90 yards on nine plays. Doscher connected on passes of 20-yards and 28-yards to get the drive started. SFU looked like it might be able to come up with a stop inside its own 30-yard line but Doscher found Cody Morgan on a cross route in the middle of the field to pick up the first down. Wagner scored one play later on a 12-yard pass from Doscher to Darnell Sapps.
 
Saint Francis hits the road next week to take on Central Connecticut State in New Britain, Conn. Oct. 27 with kickoff set for noon.  
 
GAME NOTES
- Saint Francis out gained the Seahawks on the ground (196-174) and overall (total offense, 353-337).  
 
- Neither team posted a turnover but each team posted a fumble but neither team lost the ball when putting in on the turf.  
 
- The lost for the Flash is their first of the season at DeGol Field and their first since their homecoming game last season when they fell Nov. 5 to Monmouth 48-45. In games that are not homecoming, SFU has won three consecutive at DeGol Field.  
 
- The next two games for the Flash are both on the road with a bye week in between so the Flash will not return to DeGol Field until Nov. 17 when they welcome Sacred Heart for the regular season finale.
 
- With 109 yards on the ground, John Kelly (Frederick, Md./Tuscarora) picked up his third 100-yard rushing performance of the season. Kelly also threw for over 150-yards for just the second time this season.
 
- A.J. Alexander (Altoona, Pa./Altoona Area)'s 60-yard touchdown catch was his first TD since the Morehead State game and for Kelly it was just his second passing touchdown since the third week of the season.
 
- Kelly's rushing touchdown was his first of the season.