Football | 8/28/2025 11:53:00 PM

WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW
>> For the fourth time in the last five years, Saint Francis opened the season on the road at a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) program at Louisiana-Monroe on Thursday. The Warhawks defeated the Red Flash, 29-0.
>> The defense showed some bright spots in the game, led by Geno Calgaro, who finished with 12 tackles, including seven solo tackles on the night.
>> The game was delayed for an hour and 43 minutes due to the weather passing through the area.

TURNING POINT OF THE GAME
Louisiana-Monroe posted a touchdown in the first quarter, a field goal in the second quarter, and then added three touchdowns in the second half for a 29-0 win.

FLASH MOMENTS 
Jeremiah Harris recorded an INT on a tip with Louisiana-Monroe going for a 50-yard touchdown pass in the fourth quarter. 

The defense also blocked two PAT attempts in the second half. Andrew Vines and Shamar Jones both got their hands on field goal attempts by Louisiana-Monroe.

Jahmil Perryman had a 14-yard rush in the third quarter for the longest play of the day for Red Flash. 
 

FLASH NUGGETS
Calgaro registered 12 tackles. The All-NEC Preseason team selection notched at least nine tackles for the fifth time in the last seven games. The 12 tackles were the second most of his career after he registered a career-best 13 against Stonehill on November 2, 2024, and against Mercyhurst on November 23, 2024.

Andrew Vines, who had six tackles against Western Michigan on August 31, 2023, surpassed his career tackles total with eight tackles and 1.5 sacks. Vines had a block on a PAT in the fourth quarter. 

Saint Francis held Louisiana-Monroe to 10 points in the first half, tying for the fewest points allowed in the first half against an FBS school for the Loretto program. The Red Flash also allowed 10 points in the opening half of the game against Akron on September 1, 2022. It was the third fewest allowed in any half after only allowing three points to Kent State in the second half on September 7, 2023, and seven points in the second half against Eastern Michigan on September 3, 2022. 

Raphael Ekechi had 37 yards rushing on 10 carries, while Perryman added 25 yards on three rushes, including his 14-yard gain in the third quarter. Nick Whitfield Jr. was 9-for-16 for 36 yards in the first half. Peyton Nelson had two catches for seven yards in his collegiate debut. 

The Loretto program was looking for its second win against an FBS program after downing Kent State 23-17 last season.

It was the first time Saint Francis had traveled by plane to a game since visiting Montana in 2016, and the second time the team had played a game in the south. 

It was also the seventh consecutive season the team started the season on the road and the 13th time under head coach Chris Villarrial.