Flash Points:

• SFU DE Louie Gartner (Bloomfield, N.J./Paramus Catholic) has been invited to the Piesman Trophy ceremony in New York City.
• Gartner is one of three finalists for the award, which is presented as a "big guy heisman award"
• The New Jersey native was nominated for his 93-yard interception return for a touchdown vs. Robert Morris.

LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis junior defensive end Louie Gartner (Bloomfield, N.J./Paramus Catholic) has been named one of three finalists for the Piesman Trophy Award, presented by SB Nation as the "big guy Heisman".  Gartner has been invited to a ceremony in New York City on Friday, December 8, where the winner will be announced.  The New Jersey native joins Heidelberg's Brock Riggs and Wyoming's Carl Granderson.
 
Gartner was one of 21 nominees for the Piesman Trophy.  Gartner earned a nomination for his 93-yard interception return in Saint Francis' 36-7 win over Robert Morris.  Gartner's interception return is the longest in program history.  The finalists were chosen through a combination of fan and media votes.
 
On the play, Gartner was rushing the quarterback and jumped at the line of scrimmage as the quarterback released the throw.  Gartner tipped the ball to himself and took it 93 yards to the end zone.  It was his second touchdown of the season, after returning a fumble 49 yards for a score at Presbyterian.  The interception immediately earned national recognition from SB Nation and other media outlets. 
 
Gartner collected 26 tackles this season, with 10 solo, 2.5 tackles for loss, two fumble recoveries, a pass breakup and a blocked field goal.  Gartner helped the Red Flash to have a dominant year on the defensive side.  SFU allowed just 14.6 points and 287.2 total yards per game as well as 149.5 passing yards and 137.6 rushing yards, leading the NEC in all four categories. 
 
SFU ranked fifth in the nation in scoring defense, 10th in total defense, seventh in pass defense, second in pass efficiency defense and seventh in Red Zone defense.  SFU forced 25 turnovers, ranking 16th in the nation. SFU set a program record with four defensive touchdowns.
 
The Red Flash, led by Head Coach Chris Villarrial, finished the 2017 season with a 5-6 record, including 3-3 in the NEC.  SFU finished .500 or better in conference play for the sixth straight year.