DOVER, Del. – Saint Francis University football used a 22-point effort in the final 5:38 of the game to complete a comeback 28-17 victory at Delaware State.
What You Need to Know
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Jeff Hoenstine went 10-of-18 for 117 yards and two touchdowns.
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Markell Holman had 22 rushes for 182 yards and two touchdowns. He had 143 of his rushing yards in the fourth quarter.
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Gavin Thomson had six catches for 87 yards, one touchdown and a two-point conversion.
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Mercury Swaim and
Pierre Royster led the team with seven tackles.
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Eddie Bierals and Royster each recorded a team-high 1.5 tackles for loss.
» Five different Red Flash players recorded a sack.
Turning Points of the Game
Saint Francis started the scoring on a
DeMarcus McElroy seven-yard touchdown reception and Saint Francis led 6-0 after the extra point was blocked. Delaware State responded with the final 10 points of the first half behind a two-yard rush and field goal to open a 10-6 lead.
The Hornets continued their scoring with a 23-yard rushing touchdown in the third quarter and opened a 17-6 lead. With less than six minutes remaining in the game, Saint Francis inched closer on a one-yard Thomson touchdown reception, followed by a two-point conversion, to cut into the deficit to 17-14.
The ensuing kickoff stayed in bounds and was recovered by the Red Flash to immediately set up another offensive drive at the Delaware State 35-yard line with 5:37 remaining. Two plays later, Holman hurdled a defender and completed a 30-yard rushing touchdown for a 21-17 lead.
Saint Francis forced a three-and-out on the next drive and responded with a 55-yard Holman touchdown with 1:08 remaining to open a 28-17 lead. The Red Flash stopped the Hornets in the final drive to earn its 11-point victory.
Flash Nuggets
The comeback was Saint Francis' second fourth-quarter comeback in the last eight games played dating back to a 15-point comeback last season against Merrimack.
Holman's 182 rushing yards are the most since Marcus Bagley recorded 220 on Sept. 17, 2016 at Columbia. It marks only the fourth 150-plus rushing effort since the start of the 2016 campaign.
Hoenstine moved to 2-1 as a starter in his career and now has all-three passing touchdowns for Saint Francis this season.
Next
Saint Francis returns home to face in-state rival Duquesne on Saturday, Oct. 12 at 12 p.m.
