Loretto, Pa. - The Saint Francis football team (3-3, 1-1 NEC) came up empty in both of its overtime possessions, losing to Robert Morris (2-4, 1-0 NEC) 20-17 on Saturday.

Saint Francis went 55 yards in 11 plays on its opening drive behind the running of redshirt sophomore Derrick Wiley (Aberdeen, N.J./Matawan Regional) and a 13-yard completion to redshirt freshman Khatero Summers. The drive stalled at the Robert Morris 18 but sophomore Trevor Thompson (Columbus, Ohio/Canal Winchester) made a 35-yard field goal.

The Red Flash stretched the lead to 10-0 with 7:02 to play in the second quarter on a one-handed grab by redshirt sophomore E.J. Jenkins in the corner of the end zone. Freshman Chris Wells (Philadelphia PA/Neumann-Goretti) got the drive started with a 14-yard run and redshirt junior Ra'Shaun Henry (Killeen, Texas /Copperas Cove) moved the Red Flash deep into RMU territory with a 34-yard reception. 

A 38-yard field goal from Robert Morris with 1:23 to play sent the teams into the half with SFU holding a 10-3 lead.

Saint Francis's defense held the Colonials off the board in each of RMU's first three drives of the second half. Senior Nick Rinella (Collegeville, Pa./La Salle College) preserved the 10-3 lead with an acrobatic interception at the SFU 31.

The Colonials did tie the game late in the third quarter, converting a 4th and 10 from the SFU 32 into six points on a touchdown strike from Caleb Lewis to Tim Vecchio.

With the game tied at 10-10, Brown connected with Summers on a 3rd and 12 and he turned it up the field for a 53 yard gain. Wells bursted up the middle on the next play and Saint Francis led 17-10 with 5:34 remaining.

Robert Morris returned the ensuing kickoff to the SFU 45 but Saint Francis held as Dorian Jackson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy ) tackled the Colonials receiver four yards shy of the sticks on 4th and 14 and SFU took over on its 29 with 3:26 to play. 

The Red Flash went 3-and-out with a chance to put the game out of reach and RMU took over on its 30 with 1:57 to play and two timeouts. Saint Francis forced the Colonials into two fourth downs on the drive, but Robert Morris converted both, the first a 4th and 6 and the second a 4th and 10. The result was a 13-yard touchdown reception that tied the game with 45 seconds. 

Saint Francis got to midfield on its final drive but Brown couldn't get off a heave for the end zone.

Saint Francis won the toss and elected to play defense first in overtime. Three plays later, Robert Morris was forced to attempt a 42-yard field goal which was blocked by senior Da'Jon Lee (Falls Church, Va. /Robinson).

The Red Flash set itself up to win the game as Wells rushed to the RMU 9 but Thompson's game-winning 26-yard field goal attempt sailed wide right.

Brown fumbled on 3rd and 16 on the next possession and it was recovered by the Colonials who ended the game with a 37-yard field goal on their last possession.

Brown finished 27-of-40 for 268 yards and one touchdown to one interception. Wells led SFU's run game with 80 yards and a score on 19 carries, while Wiley rushed 11 times for a career-high 40 yards.

Henry was SFU's top pass catcher with nine receptions for 87 yards. Summers added a career-high 79 yards on five catches.

The Saint Francis defense was led by Lee who tallied nine tackles and 2.5 tackles for a loss. Rinella added seven tackles and three pass breakups to go with his interception and sophomore Dorian Jackson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy ) tallied a career-high six pass breakups with six tackles.

The Red Flash outgained the Colonials 424-326. RMU was held to just 3-of-18 on third down but converted 3-of-5 on fourth down. 

It was the first overtime game for SFU since a double overtime defeat at Wagner in 2014. 

Saint Francis is back in action next Saturday, Oct. 19, at LIU at 1 p.m.