Saint Francis Game Notes | Columbia Game Notes

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Loretto, Pa. – The Saint Francis football team looks to keep its momentum going into league play with a game vs. Columbia on Saturday, Sept. 21, at 1 p.m.

Scouting Columbia

The Lions have enjoyed an impressive turnaround under Hall-of-Fame head coach Al Bagnoli since he took over the program prior to the 2014 season. Bagnoli and the Lions went winless in 2014 and won two games in year two, but have since turned the corner, going 8-2 in 2017 and 6-4 last season.
The Lions return 15 of 22 starters from 2018, eight on the offense and seven on the defense.

Expect Josh Bean to start the season as the starting quarterback. He started four games last year while battling injury but is the most experienced signal caller on the Lions roster. He will throw to 2017 All-IVY League receiver Josh Wainwright, who missed all of 2018 with an injury, and Ronald Smith, a two-time All-Ivy League selection. Sophomore Dante Miller is back after averaging over 5.0 yards per carry and will run behind an offensive line that returns four starters.

Defensively, the Lions are led by senior defensive lineman Daniel DeLorenzi who led the IVY League and set the Columbia single season-sack record with 9.5 in 10 games in 2018. Senior linebacker Michael Murphy, a two-year starter and team captain, is another player SFU will have to be prepared for.
Dangerous return man Mike Roussos, a Second Team Freshman All-American and Consensus First Team All-IVY League selection is another player to keep an eye on after returning a kick and punt for touchdown last season.

Series History

Saint Francis won the only other meeting between the schools, 13-9, on September 17, 2016 at Columbia thanks to a 72-yard fourth quarter touchdown reception by Kamron Lewis (Fresno, Calif./Edison). Saint Francis outgained Columbia 401 to 266 in the win.

50-Year Celebration

The Saint Francis football program will celebrate its 50^th Anniversary of modern-football next weekend. Saint Francis football and The Saint Francis University Alumni Association are teaming up for a special 50 years of football celebration weekend starting on Friday, Sept. 20 and leading up to kickoff on Saturday.

Air Quality Control

Saint Francis has controlled the aerial passing games on both sides of the ball through three games this season. Offensively, Saint Francis ranks second in the NEC in passing yards per game at 221.7 yds/g. Six of SFU's eight offensive touchdowns have come through the air as the Red Flash rank second in the league in pass efficiency behind Sacred Heart. Defensively, Saint Francis tops the league in pass defense efficiency, allowing three touchdowns with four interceptions. SFU's three interceptions vs. Merrimack were its most since tallying three vs. Bryant on Oct. 14, 2017. Redshirt sophomore Gio Vonne Sanders (Jeannette, PA/Jeannette) had two of those interceptions to tie for the league lead while sophomore cornerback Dorian Jackson (Pittsburgh, Pa./Obama Academy ) is tied for the NEC lead with five pass breakups.
 
Keeping Brown Upright

A big reason for SFU's success through the air has been the offensive line's ability to keep redshirt sophomore quarterback Jason Brown (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) clean. Saint Francis has allowed just one sack in three games thanks to the strong work of the line and the elusiveness of Brown.

Disciplined Football

A sign of a good football team is its discipline and the Red Flash has been one of the most disciplined teams in the NEC to date. SFU ranks second in penalty yards against at just 45.7 per game as we head into week four.

Time of Possession

Saint Francis used a ball control offense to wear out the Warriors in last week's win. The Red Flash amassed a 36:18 to 23:42 advantage in time of possession to outscore Merrimack 22-0 in the second half. For the season, Saint Francis leads the NEC in time of possession at 31:25.

Improvement in the Red Zone

SFU's red zone struggles were alleviated in the win over the Warriors. Saint Francis entered last weekend just 1-for-3 in the red zone but went 7-for-7 against Merrimack with five touchdowns and two field goals. Redshirt sophomore E.J. Jenkins has emerged as a red zone threat with three touchdowns in three weeks, the last two from inside the red zone.

The Darkside

The Saint Francis 2019 defense is off to another impressive start. The Red Flash faced a Merrimack offense that entered last Saturday's contest averaging 41.0 points per game but were held scoreless after an opening-drive touchdown. The Saint Francis defense ranks second in the NEC in scoring defense (23.7 ppg), second in sacks (6) and third in turnovers forced (6).