KENT, Ohio – Saint Francis University football defeated Kent State 23-17 to earn its first victory over an FBS opponent in program history.  
 
What You Need to Know
» Jeff Hoenstine went 11-of-22 for 195 yards, one touchdown and added 10 rushes for 50 yards and one touchdown. It was his collegiate debut.
» Gavin Thomson had five receptions for 124 yards and a 64-yard touchdown.
» Fran Brown Jr. led the team with nine total tackles.
» Mercury Swaim had seven total tackles, 1.5 tackles for loss, one forced fumble and one pass defended.
» Paul Tangelo had one sack and added another tackle for loss.
» Mac Plummer went 3-for-3 with a 50, 46 and 33-yard field goal conversions.
 
Flash Quotes
"We challenged the team all week and they rose to the challenge," said head coach Chris Villarrial. "I'm proud of the fight and the effort the team showed to earn the first FBS win in program history.
 
Turning Points of the Game
Saint Francis started the scoring when Plummer converted a career-long 50-yard field goal and opened a 3-0 lead with 9:53 remaining in the first quarter. Saint Francis added to its lead when Hoenstine ran for a two-yard touchdown and opened a 10-0 lead in the first quarter. The Red Flash defense allowed just one first down in the first quarter.
 
After the defense stopped a fourth-and-one on the Red Flash 15-yard line, Hoenstine found Thomson for a 64-yard touchdown five plays later and opened a 17-0 lead with 13:33 remaining in the second quarter.
 
Kent State responded with a nine-yard touchdown at the 5:59 mark of the second quarter and cut the Red Flash lead to 17-7. Plummer added a 33-yard field goal at 1:56 remaining in the half before a 23-yard passing touchdown for Kent State followed with 46 seconds remaining. The Red Flash then took a 20-14 lead into halftime.
 
Out of the half, Plummer converted a 46-yard attempt to cap off the first drive of the half and open a 23-14 lead. After Kent State missed a 40-yard field goal attempt with 8:08 remaining in the third, Saint Francis held its nine-point lead into the fourth quarter.
 
In the fourth, Trey McLeer intercepted a Semaj Williams tipped pass in the end zone with 10:19 remaining to hold the nine-point lead. Two drives later, the Red Flash defense stopped Kent State on fourth down with 4:44 remaining.
 
Kent State added a 44-yard field goal with 1:38 remaining to cut the deficit to 23-17. Saint Francis recovered the ensuing onside kick and rank out the clock to clinch the six-point victory.
 
Flash Nuggets
Saint Francis earned its first win over an FBS opponent in program history in only its fourth game. The Red Flash took Akron to overtime in a 30-23 loss on Sept. 1, 2022. Saint Francis has led at halftime in two of its four FBS games.
 
Plummer kicked the fifth 50-plus yard field goal in Saint Francis history and became the fourth different player to achieve the feat. Only Lance Geesey had a further field goal with his 52-yarder in 2014.
 
Thompson's 124 receiving yards come after he had 83 in his 19-game career. He has 168 receiving yards this season on eight receptions.
 
Tangelo raised his season sacks total to 3.0 and his tackles for loss total to 5.0. His 3.0 sacks in two weeks already tie the 2023 team lead.  
 
The Red Flash allowed just 78 rushing yards and has allowed only 118 total through the first two games. Saint Francis is allowing just 1.7 yards per rushing attempt.
 
Next
Saint Francis has its first home and conference game on Saturday, Sept. 14 at 12 p.m. against Central Connecticut.