Flash Points:

• SFU defensive end Louie Gartner (Bloomfield, N.J./Paramus Catholic) completed his two-day Piesman Trophy trip to New York City.
• Gartner was one of three finalists for the "big guy Heisman", which was won by Heidelberg's Brock Riggs.
• Gartner's trip included having lunch with former NFL linemen Geoff Schwartz and Stephen White.

NEW YORK CITY – Saint Francis junior defensive end Louie Gartner (Bloomfield, N.J./Paramus Catholic) attended the 2017 Piesman Trophy Ceremony on Friday night at the SB Nation office in New York City.  The Piesman Trophy is awarded as the "big guy Heisman".  Gartner was one of three finalists for the award, joining Heidelberg's Brock Riggs and Wyoming's Carl Granderson.
 
Though Riggs won the award, Gartner got the complete Piesman experience on Thursday and Friday.  On Friday, Gartner and Riggs ate lunch with former NFL offensive lineman Geoff Schwartz, who played eight seasons in the NFL, and former NFL defensive lineman Stephen White, who played seven seasons for the Buccaneers and Jets.  The ceremony attendees included SB Nation employees as well as ESPN's Adam Amin and former 2 Live Crew member Luther Campbell.
 
The New Jersey native was one of 21 nominees for the Piesman Trophy and earned his finalist spot through a combination of fan and media votes.  Gartner was nominated for his 93-yard interception return for a touchdown in SFU's 36-7 win over Robert Morris.  His interception return is the longest in program history.
 
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.