WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> Aidan Cirulli became the sixth punter in Saint Francis history to reach 6,000 yards punting against Duquesne in NECÂ football action on Saturday.
>> Circulli also moved into fifth place on the career punting yard list in Red Flash history.
>> Cameron Kiersch paced the defense with a career-high eight tackles.
TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
The Dukes ran back the opening kick 94 yards and continued to build on their lead and never looked back to earn a 52-7 win in the 50th meeting between the two teams dating back to the 1914 season. Saint Francis was coming off a bye week after nearly defeating Bucknell in its last game on September 27, falling in the final seconds in Lewisburg.
FLASH MOMENTSÂ
Saint Francis scored in the fourth quarter after a six-play 52-yard drive. Jeff Hoenstine rushed for 24 yards on the drive before he hit Payton Wehner from nine yards out for Wehner's first collegiate score with 10:52 left in the fourth quarter. It was Wehner's second collegiate catch after a 10-yard reception at CCSU on September 13.
Raphael Ekechi highlighted the longest drive for the Red Flash in the first half with an 11-yard run as part of a six-play drive for Saint Francis.Â
FLASH NUGGETS
Cirulli, who came into the game ranked fifth in FCS in punting yards, booted his way into the record books, first becoming the sixth player in team history to reach 6,000 yards punting thanks to a 35-yard punt with 11:39 left in the second quarter. On his next punt, Circulli moved into fifth place and passed Andrew Zecca (6002, 2014-18) thanks to a 37-yard kick nearly three minutes later. He finished the game with 335 yards on eight punts. It was the fourth time this season that Cirulli had punted eight times in a game, and his punting yards were the third most in a game in 2025.
Kiersch, who didn't have a tackle coming into the game, registered the first eight tackles of his career. Darian Nelson, a local product from the Pittsburgh area, registered a career-high six tackles after posting four tackles in his collegiate debut against Bucknell.
Peyton Nelson, who had 11 catches for 131 yards against Bucknell, registered a team-high six catches for 26 yards, while Scott Raymond caught three passes for a team-best 39 yards; both were career highs. Raymond came into the game with seven career catches for 51 yards and had the longest play of the day for Saint Francis with a 21-yard reception. Hoenstine was 9-for-12 for 62 yards and a touchdown throw.
NEXT ON TAP
Saint Francis returns to action in two weeks when it starts a four-game homestand, starting with Robert Morris on October 25 for the university's annual Homecoming celebration. Game time is 3 p.m.
