BOX SCORE Loretto, Pa. - With over 100 alumni back to celebrate the 50 year anniversary of modern football, the Saint Francis football team saw its celebration spoiled in a 31-14 loss to Columbia.

Things started quickly for the Red Flash as redshirt sophomore Gio Vonne Sanders (Jeannette, PA/Jeannette) intercepted Columbia on the Lions second play from scrimmage, returning it 48 yards to the Columbia 7-yard line. Sanders third interception in the last two weeks set up a 7-yard touchdown run by redshirt junior Avery Miliner (Clayton, Ohio/Northmont) for his first touchdown since 2017.

Columbia tied the game at 7-7 on a 65-yard touchdown run by Ryan Young but SFU answered with its own scoring drive as redshirt sophomore quarterback Jason Brown (Fredericksburg, Va./Chancellor) hit redshirt sophomore wide receiver E.J. Jenkins down the left sideline for a 74-yard touchdown, his fourth in four games.

Columbia capped a short 39-yard scoring march to tie the game late in the first quarter then took the lead with 10:08 in the second quarter on a one-yard touchdown run. The 21-14 lead would hold up until halftime.

SFU's defense bent but didn't break in the third quarter as the Lions had three drives stall in SFU's territory. A 50-yard field goal by Alex Felkins with 1:10 remaining in the third quarter put Columbia up by two scores.

SFU's comeback hopes took a hit when Brown was sacked on the ensuing drive and came out of the game.

Redshirt freshman quarterback Justin Sliwoski (Greensburg, PA/Hempfield Area (Pitt)) had Saint Francis on the move in his first series of the game after a 17-yard end around to redshirt junior Ra'Shaun Henry (Killeen, Texas /Copperas Cove) and a 22-yard completion to redshirt junior Zach Campbell (Upper Marlboro, Md./Riverdale Baptist) to set up 1st and 10 from the Columbia 26. The drive eventually stalled and ended with a missed 39-yard field goal.

Columbia iced the game on 56-yard punt return TD by Mike Roussos with 6:03 remaining.

Brown finished 12-for-21 with 154 yards and a touchdown while Sliwoski went 8-for-11 with 47 yards in relief.

Miliner was SFU's leading rusher with 38 yards and a touchdown on eight carries.

Jenkins led all pass catchers with 91 yards on four receptions, including his touchdown. Redshirt freshman Kahtero Summers (Coatesville, Pa./Coatesville) had two first half catches for 36 yards while Campbell finished with 36 yards on five catches.

Sophomore Brian Lee Jr. was SFU's top tackler with nine tackles and two tackles for a loss. Senior Nick Rinella (Collegeville, Pa./La Salle College) added seven tackles while freshman Dwayne Majors (Fairless Hills, PA/Conwell-Egan Catholic) recorded his first career sack.

Columbia outgained Saint Francis 336-272 for the game. The Lions moved the chains 19 times to SFU's 12 and held a 32:26 to 27:34.

Saint Francis opens conference play up in Smithfield, R.I. next Saturday at Bryant at 1 p.m.