Flash Points:

• SFU football has announced its 2018 schedule.
• The Red Flash opens the season on September 1 at Lehigh.
• SFU opens its home schedule on September 9 vs. Delaware State.
• SFU's home schedule includes a night game vs. West Virginia Wesleyan and NEC contests vs. CCSU and Duquesne.

Full Schedule

LORETTO, Pa. – As the Saint Francis football team is set to begin Spring Practice, the Red Flash has announced its 2018 schedule. 
 
Saint Francis went 5-6 last season, including a 3-3 mark in the NEC.  The Red Flash, led by Head Coach Chris Villarrial, will look for its third winning season in the last four years and is just two seasons removed from its NEC title in 2016.
 
The 2018 schedule will feature five home games, including three during NEC play. 
 
The Red Flash returns nine starters on offense and six on defense.  SFU welcomes back four All-NEC selections, including All-America receiver Kamron Lewis (Fresno, Calif./Edison), center Mike Ames (Pittsburgh, Pa./Penn Hills), safety/returner Nick Rinella (Collegeville, Pa./La Salle College) and punter Andrew Zecca (Berkeley Heights, N.J./Gov. Livingston).
 
September 1 – Lehigh, TBA, Goodman Stadium
2017 Record: 5-7 (5-1 Patriot)
Conference Finish: First
FCS Playoffs: First Round (L, 59-29 at Stony Brook)
Series History: First Meeting
 
The Red Flash opens the 2018 schedule with in-state rival Lehigh.  This marks the first meeting between the programs.  The Mountain Hawks won its second straight Patriot League title with a  5-1 mark in conference matchups.  Lehigh featured an explosive offense in 2017, ranking eighth in the FCS in scoring (35.8 ppg), sixth in total yards (474.8 ypg) and seventh in passing offense (325.9 ypg).  The Mountain Hawks return STATS FCS First Team All-America running back Dominick Bragalone, who rushed for 1,388 yards and 18 touchdowns and had four touchdown catches.  Senior quarterback Brad Mayes threw for 3,886 yards and 31 touchdowns last year.
 
September 8 – Delaware State, TBA, DeGol Field
2017 Record: 2-9 (2-6 MEAC)
Conference Finish: 10th
Series History: Delaware State leads 1-0
Last Meeting: L, 63-28 (September 9, 2006)
 
Saint Francis welcomes Delaware State for its home opener.  The Hornets finished 10th in the MEAC last season with two conference wins.  Delaware State returns All-MEAC defensive Back Keyjuan Selby, who had 59 tackles, two interceptions and 11 pass-breakups in 2017.  They also return All-MEAC punter Fidel Romo-Martinez, who averaged 44.7 yards per punt last year.  Delaware State averaged 14.4 points and allowed 38.2 points per game in 2017.
 
September 15 – Richmond, TBA, Robins Stadium
2017 Record: 6-5 (4-4 CAA)
Conference Finish: 6th
Series History: First Meeting
 
The Red Flash goes on the road to visit CAA member Richmond.  The Spiders received 22 votes in the final STATS FCS poll.  Richmond went 4-4 in conference play to finish in the middle of the CAA standings.  The Spiders went 3-3 in games against ranked opponents, with wins over No. 25 Colgate (20-17), No. 24 Albany (41-38) and No. 20 Villanova (22-0).  Richmond averaged 30.9 points and 452.7 yards per game, ranking fourth in the FCS in passing yards with 341.0 per game.  However, the Spiders will need to replace All-America quarterback Kyle Lauletta.  On the defensive side, Andrew Clyde, a Third Team All-America selection, tied for the CAA-lead with nine sacks.
 
September 22 – Albany, TBA, Casey Stadium
2017 Record: 4-7 (2-6 CAA)
Conference Finish: 10th
Series History: Albany Leads 15-0
Last Meeting: L, 20-9 (September 24, 2016)
 
Saint Francis visits another CAA member the following weekend, with a trip to Albany.  The former NEC member finished 10th in the CAA last year.  The Great Danes featured a strong defense in 2017, ranking ninth in the FCS in total defense (282.1 ypg) and 17th in scoring defense (17.7 ppg).  The defense returns All-CAA linebacker Nate Hatalsky, who led the conference with 122 tackles. 
 
September 29 – WV Wesleyan, 6 p.m., DeGol Field, Family Weekend
2017 Record: 5-6 (5-5 Mountain East)
Conference Finish: 5th
Series History: First Meeting
 
The Red Flash hosts West Virginia Wesleyan in its final non-conference game, with matchup under the lights at 6 p.m.  A Division II school, WV Wesleyan finished fifth in the Mountain East in 2017.  The Bobcats return two All-MEC honorable mention selections in junior offensive lineman Nick Dolly and senior linebacker Gabe Moultrie. 
 
October 13 – Wagner, TBA, Hameline Field
2017 Record: 4-7 (2-4 NEC)
NEC Finish: T-5th
Series History: Wagner Leads 21-6
Last Meeting: W, 31-6 (September 9, 2017)
 
Saint Francis opens its NEC schedule with a road trip to Wagner.  The Red Flash earned a 31-6 win over the Seahawks last season.  Bear Fenimore (Austin, Texas/Westwood) threw for 293 yards and three touchdowns, with Jymere Jordan-Toney (Philadelphia, Pa./Franklin) adding 105 yards and a score on the ground.  Hakeem Kinard (York, Pa./York Catholic) and Nick Rinella (Collegeville, Pa./La Salle College) each had an interception.  First Team All-NEC running back Ryan Fulse returns after leading the conference with 1,306 yards.  Senior linebacker Quintin Hampton led the Seahawks with 82 tackles, including 12 for loss and seven sacks.
 
October 20 – Duquesne, TBA, DeGol Field, Homecoming
2017 Record: 7-4 (4-2 NEC)
NEC Finish: T-2nd
Series History: Duquesne leads 36-8
Last Meeting: L, 24-7 (October 21, 2017)
 
The Red Flash continues NEC play with in-state rival Duquesne.  Saint Francis fell 24-7 at Rooney Field last season, but won 14-10 in the last meeting at DeGol Field.  The Red Flash scored on a rushing touchdown by Fenimore in the first quarter.  Saint Francis has won the last two meetings at home and three of the last four meetings at DeGol Field.
 
October 27 – Robert Morris, TBA, Joe Walton Stadium
2017 Record: 2-9 (0-6 NEC)
NEC Finish: 7th
Series History: Robert Morris Leads 15-8-1
Last Meeting: W, 36-7 (October 28, 2017)
 
Saint Francis faces another in-state rival when it travels to Robert Morris.  The Red Flash claimed a 36-7 victory at DeGol Field last season.  Louie Gartner (Bloomfield, N.J./Paramus Catholic) returned an interception 93 yards for a touchdown to begin his Piesman Trophy campaign.  Rinella had a 35-yard punt return touchdown and a 49-yard run for a score. SFU has won six straight contests with the Colonials.
 
November 3 – Bryant, Noon, DeGol Field
2017 Record: 6-5 (4-2 NEC)
NEC Finish: T-2ndT-5th
Series History: Bryant Leads 6-4
Last Meeting: W, 30-14 (October 14, 2017)
 
The Red Flash returns to DeGol Field to take on Bryant.  Saint Francis earned a 30-14 win at Beirne Stadium last year.  Kamron Lewis (Fresno, Calif./Edison) set career highs with 15 catches for 202 yards, including a touchdown.  Fenimore threw for three touchdowns, while Jalen Wells (Westerville, Ohio/Thomas Worthington) intercepted two passes and Rinella picked off one.  SFU has won two consecutive games against Bryant.
 
November 10 – Central Connecticut State, Noon, DeGol Field, Senior Day
2017 Record: 8-4 (6-0 NEC)
NEC Finish: 1st
FCS Playoffs: First Round (L, 14-0 at New Hampshire)
Series History: CCSU leads 20-5
Last Meeting: L, 28-10 (November 4, 2017)
 
Saint Francis hosts defending NEC champion CCSU for a key matchup.  The Red Flash fell 28-10 at Arute Field.  Malik Duncan (Cleveland, Ohio/Cleveland Central Catholic) and Wells each recorded a pick and Avery Miliner (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont) had a rushing touchdown.  SFU has won two of the last three matchups against the Blue Devils.
 
November 17 – Sacred Heart, TBA, Campus Field
2017 Record: 4-7 (2-4 NEC)
NEC Finish: T-5th
Series History: Tied 11-11
Last Meeting: L, 16-7 (November 11, 2017)
 
The Red Flash finishes the 2018 regular season at Sacred Heart.  SFU snapped a five-game win streak in the series with a 16-7 setback in 2017.  Colin Hindle (Redondo Beach, Calif./Redondo Union) caught a touchdown pass from Freddy Bopst (Jarrettsville, Md./Boys Latin) in the second quarter.  Sean Orsini (Imperial, Pa./West Allegheny) led the defense with 13 tackles.  SFU has won the last two meetings at Campus Field.