BOX SCORE LORETTO, Pa. – The Saint Francis Red Flash used a 21-point first quarter to cruise to a 28-10 win over Monmouth on Saturday afternoon at DeGol Field. SFU recorded three turnovers and four sacks. The four sacks are tied for fourth in school history and match the team's total against Fordham earlier this season.
 
The first of those three turnovers came on the opening kickoff. Sophomore Khairi Dickson (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Central Catholic) forced Monmouth's Tevrin Brandon to fumble, and junior Bishop Neal (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) capitalized with a scoop-and-score. After Lance Geesey (Harrisburg, Pa./Cumberland Valley)'s extra point, the Flash had a 7-0 lead just 12 seconds into the game.
 
The teams traded three-and-outs for three possessions until the Red Flash (2-4) used the passing game to extend its lead. Quarterback Max Ward (Steelton, Pa./Middletown) connected with Dane Domonkos (Windber, Pa./Bishop McCort) for 17 yards to the Monmouth 20. Three plays later, Ward hit Terell Smith (West Haverstraw, N.Y./North Rockland) for an 18-yard score on third down in the back corner of the end zone to push the lead to 14-0. Ward finished the first quarter 5-of-6 for 48 yards and the touchdown pass.
 
The Red Flash played takeaway again on Monmouth's next drive. On third down, DaQuan Minter (Johnstown, Pa./Greater Johnstown) intercepted his fourth pass of the season and raced down the left sideline 44 yards to make the score 21-0 with 5:18 to play in the first quarter.
 
Monmouth kicked a 46-yard field goal with 4:32 remaining in the second quarter to break the shutout and to send the game into the intermission at 21-3.
 
The Flash had the only threat of the third quarter, but Geesey's 42-yard field goal attempt was blocked. The Hawks turned the ensuing possession into their only touchdown of the game as Thaddeus Richards took a handoff on a reverse and weaved through a couple defenders to score from eight yards out on the first play of the fourth quarter.
 
Saint Francis salted the game away later in the quarter, capping a seven-play, 57-yard drive with a 23-yard jaunt by Kyle Harbridge (Easton, Pa./Easton Area). He finished as the game's leading rusher with 94 yards on 26 carries. Domonkos and Smith each finished with three receptions to lead the team.
 
Jerome matched Minter with his fourth interception of the season on Monmouth's final drive, returning the ball 21 yards before pitching to Solomon Leaeno (Kapolei, Hawaii/James Campbell). Leaeno raced 36 more yards to put an exciting cap on a strong afternoon for the Flash defense.
 
Jerome and Asalemo Fruean (Waipahu, Hawaii/Waipahu) led the team with eight tackles apiece. Fruean finished with two of the team's four sacks.
 
The team recorded nine passes defensed, with Jerome and Minter each having two. Jake DeMedal (New Wilmington, Pa./Wilmington) and Brandon Small (Clairton, Pa./Clairton) each had seven tackles, and Joe Laukaitis (Pittsburgh, Pa./Upper St.Clair) registered six.
 
The defense held Monmouth to just 191 yards of total offense, including only 81 yards passing on 28 attempts.
 
Saint Francis enters its bye week, returning to action Oct. 26 for Homecoming against Sacred Heart. Kickoff is noon.