LORETTO, Pa. – Saint Francis University football dropped its second home game of the season 38-7 to in-state opponent Duquesne.
 
What You Need to Know
» Adrian Mejia went 12-of-21 for 113 yards, one touchdown and one interception.
» Jayden Ivory had a team-high four catches for 63 yards.
» Gavin Thomson scored the only Red Flash touchdown on a 14-yard reception.
» Geno Calgaro had a game-high nine tackles (seven solo).
» Mercury Swaim and Semaj Williams each recorded a tackle for loss.
» Nico Nuzzo recovered a muffed Duquesne punt that set up the Saint Francis touchdown scored.
 
Turning Points of the Game
Saint Francis started the game with a drive to the Duquesne two-yard line before the Dukes stuffed the Red Flash on a fourth-and-goal from the one. After a few scoreless drives, Duquesne scored the game's first points on a 48-yard pick-six for a 7-0 lead with 5:44 remaining in the first quarter.
 
Duquesne added the final 10 points of the half with a 33-yard field goal and two-yard touchdown rush to open a 17-0 lead at halftime.
 
Out of the half, Saint Francis recovered a muffed punt and Thomson scored a 14-yard touchdown on the ensuing play to cut the deficit to 17-6 with 11:26 remaining in the third quarter. Duquesne responded the following drive with a 12-yard touchdown to regain a 17-point, 24-7, lead.
 
The Dukes continued to extend their lead with a 14-point fourth quarter behind a 22-yard passing touchdown and recovery of a Saint Francis fumble for a touchdown to seal its 38-7 victory.
 
Flash Nuggets
Aidan Cirulli had eight punts for a 49.4-yard average with four punts over 50 yards. His 68-yard punt in the game was tied for fifth-longest in program history and one yard shy of his career-long.
 
Thomson has now scored in back-to-back games and three of his five as a member of the Red Flash.
 
Nuzzo recovered the second loose ball on special teams of his career after he recovered a blocked punt last season.
 
Next
Saint Francis has its first conference game on the road at Wagner on Saturday, Oct. 19 for a 12 p.m. kickoff.