RICHMOND, Va. – Saint Francis University football dropped its first game of the season against an FCS opponent, Richmond, 31-21. The Red Flash moved to 0-2 in hard-fought games ahead of the conference-opener against Wagner.
 
WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
» Makai Jackson recorded eight catches for a game-high 123 yards and one touchdown.
» Marcel Mami and Gregory Reddick had a game-high 11 tackles, while Reddick's seven solo tied Travell Cook for the team lead.
» Justin Sliwoski went 11-of-18 for 142 yards and one touchdown and had a team-high 50 yards rushing on five carries with one touchdown.
» Al-Ma'Hi Ali recorded Saint Francis' first interception of the season, while Reddick forced the first fumble.
» Richmond's Reece Udinski had a game-high 263 passing yards and Savon Smith had 123 rushing yards.
 
TURNING POINTS OF THE GAME
Saint Francis took an early 6-0 lead on two Schmoke field goals and held the lead through one quarter. In the second, Richmond scored two touchdowns and opened a 14-6 lead. After Ali recorded an interception, Jacksons cored a 45-yard touchdown three plays later and cut the lead to 14-13.
 
After a Richmond field goal was the only third-quarter score, the Spiders converted a touchdown with 10 minutes remaining in the game and opened a 24-13 lead. Saint Francis responded with a Sliwoski rushing touchdown, followed by a successful two-point conversion to Elijah Sarratt, that cut the deficit to 24-21.
 
Saint Francis stopped Richmond on a fourth and four with two minutes remaining to regain possession. Three plays later Richmond forced an interception, returned for a touchdown, to seal its 31-21 victory.
 
FLASH NUGGETS
Jackson is the first Saint Francis player with at least eight catches since Ra'Shaun Henry's 12 on Nov. 23, 2019 at Delaware State. His 123 yards are more than any player had during the entire 2021 season and most since Henry's 193 against Delaware State.
 
Ali recorded the first, and only, Saint Francis interceptions of the season. He also has nine total tackles, seven solo, and one blocked kick through his first two games.
 
The Saint Francis offensive line held Richmond without a sack. It was their first time holding an opponent without a sack since Oct. 2, 2021 against Morgan State, an eight-game span.
 
NEXT
Saint Francis begins conference play with a trip to Wagner on Saturday, Sept. 17 for a 4 p.m. kickoff.